National School Nurse Day is Wednesday, May 7. In Fairfax County Public Schools, a staff of five school health specialists who are all registered nurses — Cheryl Montgomery, Carissa Morris, Kristin Shiraishi, Anna Wendland, and Anne Winters — support schools, staff, students, and families.
While public health nurses oversee the day-to-day care provided in the school health rooms, the FCPS school health specialists provide programmatic support to keep our students safe and healthy. Although their role is largely behind the scenes, some of their responsibilities include:
- Communicating important information pertaining to divisionwide school health services requirements, policies, and protocols for school staff.
- Supporting parents/guardians and school staff in collaboration with the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) regarding first aid, immunizations, medications, communicable diseases, and student wellness and management of health conditions within the school setting.
- Providing major support for immunization clinics.
- Collaborating with other departments within FCPS to develop plans and responses to address student health needs, emergencies, or concerns.
Making a Positive Difference
Before working in a school setting as a nurse, Anne (pictured at center), school health specialist for Region 5, enjoyed volunteering at her sons’ elementary school. Working in a school-setting left her “full of hope and energy.” She enjoys the collaborative nature of working within FCPS, with parents, and with FCHD.
“It sounds cliché but it really does take a village,” Anne said. She finds her job most rewarding when she hears from parents or school staff that she was able to help or provide support. “If I can make a positive difference, no matter how big or small, it’s a good day,” she said.
Anne knew from a young age that she wanted to work with children. She was hospitalized as a teenager and observed a nurse rocking an infant in the middle of the night. “It made an enormous impact on me,” she said. “I wanted to offer that kind of care and compassion.”
Carissa’s story is similar to Anne’s. She worked as a mother’s helper for a family friend who had a child with special needs and was inspired at a young age to become a nurse. Then, after volunteering in her children’s school clinic, she was inspired to apply when a part time position opened.
School Nurses Are Essential
Cheryl Montgomery, school health specialist for Region 4, worked in primary care pediatrics for 13 years before coming to FCPS. “That experience and my love of working with children made for an easy transition to the school setting while providing the opportunity to learn, grow, and advance my nursing career,” she said.
Cheryl sees the role she plays as “essential” to children’s education. “School nurses play a vital role by supporting the health, well-being, and academic success of students,” she said. “They are much more than just ‘first-aid providers. In addition to caring for the sick and injured, school nurses administer medications and treatments, manage and support students with chronic health conditions, and perform health screenings.”
And the role of school nurses is ever-changing, Kristin Shiraishi (pictured at right), school health specialist for regions 3 and 6, said. “As medical technology advances and we have more students in schools with different needs — as well as an ever-changing population of students with various backgrounds and accessibility to healthcare — having a medical professional who is available to care for each student’s needs has become increasingly important.”
Carissa echoes that it seems the number of students who need the support of a school nurse is increasing. “Nurses possess the skill of assessment, identify critical needs, and provide comprehensive care and support to ensure students can return to the classroom safely and successfully,” she said.
Kristin found her way to school nursing after being inspired by three aunts who were nurses. Like Cheryl, she started out in pediatric nursing. A friend who worked as a teacher helped her find her way to the school setting.
“It is rewarding being able to promote public health within our school communities and outside the schools as well,” Kristin said. “It’s wonderful to do this within a team of hardworking, passionate people in school health who are dedicated to promoting health and safety within the schools.”
Thank you, school health specialists!
