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Sue McCarroll
School Nurse Administrator of the Year
Cincinnati, Ohio
June 28, 2003
Twenty-three years ago
I was lucky enough to discover a profession that is the purest blend of
the art and the science of nursing - school nursing. That decision, and
the decision to marry my husband, Les, were the best decisions of my life.
Health promotion has
always been my passion. Perhaps it is because I had the opportunity to
see health care from the patient's perspective while I was still discovering
myself as a nursing student when I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Disease
during my junior year. I gained first hand experience with surgery, then
radiation, and then more surgery, then chemotherapy. I incurred the worries
that come with poor insurance coverage. I learned the pain of being sick
in a world of healthy peers. I learned first hand what it takes to heal
physically, emotionally and spiritually. I thought I could utilize the
knowledge and wisdom I gained from these experiences as a school nurse,
and I was right. Who among us has helped care for a student this year
with a chronic illness, living in a world of healthy peers? Raise your
hands. These are the nurses who know what I mean.
Twenty-three years later, this is what I think. School nursing is a job
that tests us daily, that requires everything that we have - all of our
strength, all of our endurance, all of our courage, all of our heart -
and some tears. It is a life that sends us to bed at night exhausted.
It opens our souls to a child's world with problems - sometimes huge problems
- for us to resolve. Problems with perhaps no solution. School nursing
is a job that is filled with opportunities to be a hero. Dave Pelzer reminded
us of that in his presentation this morning.
Leaving direct care school
nursing five years ago for administrative work - the business side of
school nursing - was a difficult decision for me. I missed the kids and
wondered if this work would be as meaningful to me. But I guess being
up here tonight demonstrates that I figured it out - and it is. I utilize
the data collected by school nurses to articulate the role of the school
nurse and how we improve student achievement. We school nurse administrators
get to create an environment that encourages the school nurse to use their
deep soul of caring and competent nursing skills to get the job done.
I don't know if anyone else has notice this, but the role of today's school
nurse is much more complex. (laughter). Oh, I guess you have noticed.
The student population is more mobile, and access to health care resources
is more limited. Chronic illnesses, including asthma and diabetes, are
on the rise. We perform more technical procedures at school so that students
can receive a free and appropriate education.
I am so deeply, deeply
honored to be here with all of you tonight. This is because life isn't
all about accomplishments. It's about relationships. Nod your head if
you already knew that. And school nursing is not about accomplishments
- it is about relationships. We are in a business where the predominant
common denominator of all is people helping people. This makes our relationships
unique - because it is not what we do, but who we are. You can be as goal
oriented as you want, and if you accomplish your goals, it usually does
not mean that you are going to get more money. Instead, you gain an opportunity
to develop new relationships. Neat, huh!
My goals have given me
such opportunities at the local, state and national level. First, the
local level. Several school nurses who are the best of the best, Aurora
Public School nurses, the "A" team, are here tonight. They are
amazing - I wish you could see them at work. They are the best, and our
district knows and recognizes their expertise. My school nurse administration
mentors are also here tonight. Fran (Wehrer) is the one who taught me
that a program is only as strong as the skills and compassion of each
individual nurse, and believed in my leadership skills long before I did.
Her predecessor, Bev (Ford), flew in last night and surprised me. I have
been mentored by the best, and in Aurora Public Schools, if you are a
school nurse, it is for life. Our culture is to remain connected, and
we plan events to do so. I have had the opportunity to create relationships
at the state level. The person who first encouraged me to be involved
in our State organization is here. Sharon (Ruske) called me to run for
state office, and made me do it. She may seem really nice, but she is
persistent! After I was elected, she then taught me how to hum and dance
the paperwork shuffle when stuffing packets for our conference, creating
fun from tedium. I have now been on the committee for eleven years. Other
Colorado nurses helped me learn that legislative work and testifying really
isn't all that scary, because school nurses know their stuff. I have had
the opportunity to create relationships and have my ideas both challenged
and supported at the national level. Many of those exceptional professionals
are here tonight, and I treasure our relationships. We didn't always have
the same perspective - thank goodness - and my vision of school nursing
expanded, as it should. Stagnation is dangerous and unproductive. Remember
what long hours, evenings and weekends we spent, volunteering our time
to serve NASN and its members? We accomplished a lot, but what I treasure
most is our relationships. And the caring did not end when our Board terms
ended. Thus, when my nursing friends and colleagues from Missouri and
Vermont and Texas experienced the loss of their husbands, their board
friend in Colorado also wept. Because it is all about relationships.
And I am proud to publicly
recognize my family - the greatest relationships of all. They support
me, and I support the, and it is unconditional and it is for life. Judy,
Mike, John, Les, I thank you and I love you.
I would like to end with
a little survey. As you know, today's school nurse practice must be research
based and data driven. Thus, I have a hypothesis I need to validate and
I'm hoping to have full participation from this audience. Here is my hypothesis:
I think I'm pretty good at recognizing a competent, caring, successful
school nurse. I think I see a lot of those in this group, but I want my
opinion to be based on data. I'm asking you to participate by verbal response.
I'm going to be using the tried and true "That's Me" response
tool. (Explanation of That's Me and several options for response from
reserved to animated). Any of these responses will be considered as "exceeds
standard" on your evaluations.
Let's try a couple to see if my directions are clear.
I am a practicing school nurse.
I am a retired school nurse.
I don't really have a label, but am glad to be here.
Excellent! Now, let's
get started with our "That's Me" official verbal survey.
I have had a student return to my school to thank me for caring.
I have gone to the hospital to visit a child from my schools.
I have successfully worked with a family who was a bit of a challenge
for my coworkers.
I have demonstrated to a student how to correctly use an inhaler, and
their peak flow improved.
I have created a nursing intervention that improved a child's attendance.
I have written a health care plan that outlined a child's health needs
during school.
I have done my part to break the cycle of abuse, one student at a time,
by reporting my suspicion.
I have dried the eyes of a teacher or principal, who knew I would understand
and keep their concerns in confidence because I am their school nurse.
I have saved the life of a staff member.
I have saved the life of a child.
I knew it! I am standing
in the midst of competent, caring, skilled school nurses. I have the data
now. I think we are ready to publish! I feel the warmth that only friends
create. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
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