Santa Maria Sun / Letter To The Editor

Nurses love helping students get their needs met

Robyn Turner, RN, district nurse administrator

On behalf of my fellow school nurses, I would like to thank you for highlighting our profession in your recent issue (“Nurse of all trades,” Jan. 19). However, there is one very important point I made several times during my interview with Ms. Asman that didn’t make it to print.

As nurses, a significant portion of our efforts is focused on helping students and their families make needed connections in the community, which, in turn, contribute greatly to that student’s success in the classroom. Those connections might be in the area of medical needs, mental health resources, assistance in obtaining glasses or hearing aids, dental care, a new pair of shoes, a warm jacket, or food for the family.

Speaking for myself, this is by far the most gratifying aspect of my job. Knowing that a student is now able to concentrate on his lesson without squinting to see the board or hearing his stomach growl is one of our greatest rewards. It’s true what they say: Healthy kids learn better!