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The Relentless School Nurse: Left Within the Walls of University Classrooms

 

 

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For the past 7 years, I have had the privilege of teaching in the Rutgers-Camden School Nurse Certificate Program. I am a full-time school nurse in the Camden City School District during the school year, but each summer and fall I wear my favorite hat, that of school nurse educator. I honor the efforts of my students and marvel at their courage, many having not been in the role of student for many years. My students are adult learners, professional nurses who want to enter the unknown world of school nursing.

Being a school nursing educator makes me especially #Relentless! It is a daunting challenge and responsibility to teach the next generation of school nurses. My goal is to share cutting edge school nursing practice with my students. I am in awe of their dedication to glean as much information as they can in the brief time we spend in class together.

This year, our class was abuzz with the excitement of processing new knowledge. The classroom walls were filled with poster papers sharing reflections, questions, and what they needed from me as a learner. I marveled at their willingness to take on challenges of new information that changes our assumptions about the world. We took a deep dive into the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on our students, families and ourselves.

Our week together, which I like to create as a retreat, flew by quickly this year. The discussions were thoughtful, heartfelt and reaffirmed that the future of school nursing is very bright. The students aimed high and exceeded my expectations by their phenomenal engagement, enthusiasm and positive contributions to creating a week that I will not soon forget.

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As I closed up the classroom at the end of the week, I sat for a moment and reflected on what had been co-created during this year’s class of Issues and Trends in Health Education. The walls were bare, the posters, writings, sticky notes, pens, markers put away for next time. The desks were orderly, and space was cleared for the next group that would be learning together. I began to wonder about the energy left behind from our class and tried to tap into the history of all of those classes and the learning that has happened within the walls of our classroom over the years.

To my students, thank you for giving it everything you had this past week and know that your efforts are noticed and appreciated. I value your hard work, enthusiasm, and desire to learn. This work is hard, the challenge is daunting, but you will enter this new phase of your careers with a proven ability to dig deep and #BeRelentless.
 
As they prepared to deliver their final project, which was teaching a health lesson to their peers, I played this Sara Bareilles song: Brave!
 
 

 


Originally published at https://relentlessschoolnurse.com on July 17, 2019.

 

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Cissy White (ACEs Connection Staff) posted:

Robin:
Thanks for sharing all your work and about all the folks you meet doing it. I think the Brave song should be played before ALL presentations big and small at any event! Love that you did that. Cis

Thanks Cissy, the students really did appreciate the message and it set a wonderful tone to reduce the stress. I think I may just be listening myself on Wednesday as I prepare to present! The words to that song always make me cry:

You can be amazing
You can turn a phrase into a weapon or a drug
You can be the outcast
Or be the backlash of somebody's lack of love
Or you can start speaking up
Nothing's gonna hurt you the way that words do
And they settle 'neath your skin
Kept on the inside and no sunlight
Sometimes a shadow wins
But I wonder what would happen if you
Say what you wanna say
And let the words fall out
Honestly I wanna see you be brave
With what you want to say
And let the words fall out
Honestly I wanna see you be brave
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I wanna see you be brave
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I just wanna see you
I wanna see you be brave - music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles 
  • Cissy White (ACEs Connection Staff) posted:

    Robin:
    Thanks for sharing all your work and about all the folks you meet doing it. I think the Brave song should be played before ALL presentations big and small at any event! Love that you did that. Cis

     

Carey S. Sipp (ACEs Connection Staff) posted:

The world is a better place because of you! Schools, healthcare, ACEs Connection, all — are better because of you. Thanks for being relentless. I would also add to that list of descriptors tireless and fearless! 

What an amazing message to see today! You are so kind Carey, thank you for who you are and what you do! You lifted me today!

The world is a better place because of you! Schools, healthcare, ACEs Connection, all — are better because of you. Thanks for being relentless. I would also add to that list of descriptors tireless and fearless! 

Last edited by Carey Sipp

Robin:
Thanks for sharing all your work and about all the folks you meet doing it. I think the Brave song should be played before ALL presentations big and small at any event! Love that you did that. Cis

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