The Relentless School Nurse: What Happened at School Today – Ask Phyllis Krey!

This week schools across the country are celebrating “Read Across America Day” and the birthday of Dr. Seuss! NJ school nurse, Phyllis Krey posted this fantastic picture on #Twitter of how she was celebrating! This is a terrific example of how school nurses are an integral part of a school community. We have many opportunities to join in school wide celebrations during the year, but do we?  Congratulations Phyllis on finishing your MEd in May! You are an exemplar of what it means to expand the scope of school nursing practice beyond the walls of our health offices!

I’m in my 5th year at Calvin Coolidge Elementary School. Before that I worked at an urban charter school (grades 7-12) as well as in the special ed setting with Children on the spectrum as well as Children with multiple disabilities. I’m currently finishing my MEd at William Paterson U (this May – yay!) where I received my School Nurse Certification about 10 years ago. I was “called” to nursing in my mid 30s and completed Seton Halls accelerated BSN in 2006. I love working with my students – in addition to the traditional day to day stuff, I run a Wellness Fair each year with my PTO, and this year have collaborated with our Music Teacher to create “Healthy Me” videos to supplement my Health lessons. There is always something to learn when you work in education and my colleagues have provided me with so many wonderful ideas.