These are certainly challenging times filled with uncertainty and concern that are impacting our entire community, and country. The next few weeks will determine if we have had success in mitigating the spread of COVID19. It will take a complete disruption in the rhythm and flow of our normal schedules to change outcomes. We will get back to work and school, but for now, we have to face the unknown with assurance that we can work through these challenging times.
As your school nurse, I plan to be in touch with our teachers and students through video check-ins. I have some books that I plan to read, and as always, I am available to answer questions and help find solutions to health care questions.
I found some resources that may make this period of home schooling or distance learning a bit less stressful. One thing I can absolutely recommend is to keep your children on a schedule during the school day. Ask them what their day is like, they will tell you what they do hour by hour. Kids respond to routines. I am sure the teachers will share resources that will include the daily schedule of activities. If not, create one that involves your children helping to design their learning plan. It will keep them engaged and give them ownership over their education, preschoolers included!
Published by Robin Cogan, MEd, RN, NCSN, FNASN, FAAN
Robin Cogan, MEd, RN, NCSN, FNASN, FAAN, is a Nationally Certified School Nurse (NCSN), currently in her 22nd year as a New Jersey school nurse in the Camden City School District. Robin is the Director for New Jersey to the National Association of School Nurses (NASN) Board. She is proud to be a Johnson & Johnson School Health Leadership Fellow and past Program Mentor. Robin is the honored recipient of multiple awards for her work in school nursing and population health. These awards include, 2019 and 2020 National Association of School Nurses President’s Award, 2018 NCSN School Nurse of the Year, 2017 Johnson & Johnson School Nurse of the Year, and the New Jersey Department of Health 2017 Population Health Hero Award. Robin serves as faculty in the School Nurse Certificate Program at Rutgers University-Camden School of Nursing, where she teaches the next generation of school nurses. She was presented the 2018 Rutgers University – Camden Chancellor’s Teaching Excellence Award for Part-time Faculty. Robin writes a weekly blog called The Relentless School Nurse. She also writes a monthly column in My American Nurse, the official journal of the American Nurses Association. Robin’s work is included as a case study in The Future of Nursing Report 2020-2030. You can follow Robin on Twitter at @RobinCogan.
View all posts by Robin Cogan, MEd, RN, NCSN, FNASN, FAAN
