2011 School Nurse of the Year Julie Hanson

The South Dakota School Nurses Association is proud to announce the 2011 School Nurse of the Year! Julie Hanson was surprised at an all school assembly by the students and staff of her entire building, Terry Redlin Elementary in Sioux Falls. Students in every classroom presented her with cards and flowers, showering her with appreciation and honor.

Nurse Julie shares the following about her history and career experiences. She became interested in nursing as a senior in high school as a natural extension of her love of science and biology. After graduating from the University of Iowa she worked as a surgical nurse, and then took some time off to raise her four children.

Nurse Julie went back to work for a developmental program operated by the Association for Retarded Citizens in Fort Dodge, Iowa. She did everything from giving medication, to physical therapy, to setting up special diets. When the law changed, Julie went to work for Arrowhead Area Education out of Fort Dodge, serving 9 counties. Because this was a new program, much time was spent writing and implementing policies and procedures.

Nurse Julie came to work for the Sioux Falls School District 29 years ago. She has worked in eleven different schools, and currently serves full time at the elementary level. Her biggest love is early childhood because that is where she first started.

Ask her what she loves about school nursing and the first thing she says is that no two days are exactly the same, she learns something new every day, and that, in the end, she really does make a difference in children’s and families’ lives.

What does Nurse Julie like the least about school nursing? Keeping track of the paperwork! Having electronic records has made tracking information easier, but someone still needs to enter it.

Nurse Julie plans on continuing to work as long as she remains in good health and continues to love each day. When she retires she hopes to work as a mentor for English Language Learners.

When asked for any final thoughts, Nurse Julie states, “School nursing is a wonderful opportunity to help children become knowledgeable about their own health and be able to make important life choices to live a more healthy life. Sometimes this happens as a planned lesson and sometimes one child at a time.”

Nurse Julie Hanson is a wonderful representative of our South Dakota School Nurses Association.

Do you know someone who is an outstanding school nurse? Applications are being taken on line for next year’s School Nurse of the Year. Winners will have their registration fee paid for to the National Association of School Nurses annual meeting in the summer of 2013.

SDSNA Board Meeting minutes 9-20-11[1]

7-20-11 Annual meeting SDSNA[1]

We encourage you to raise your “voice” for meningitis prevention by joining the Voices of Meningitis Challenge too! It’s simple: use the free Voices educational materials to help raise awareness about meningococcal meningitis in your school or community, and submit your effort(s) to NASN. Any school nurse who implements an activity and submits a Voices Challenge Submission Form to NASN will be recognized, and three nurses will be selected to receive a trip* to the 2012 NASN Annual Conference in San Francisco.

NASN will also provide the three states with the greatest participation in the Voices Challenge (as measured by submission forms received) with a sponsored event (up to $500) at their 2012 Annual Conference.

No effort is too small to submit to NASN, and with your help, our state’s efforts can be recognized.

To learn more visit www.VoicesOfMeningitis.org or the NASN’s Voices Challenge webpage.

* Up to $2,000 to cover travel and hotel expenses for duration of meeting; ANCC regulations prohibit payment for registration fees.

Meade School District nurse Randi Oviatt has been recognized for her excellence in school nursing by being named the 2010 South Dakota School Nurse of the Year by the the SDSNA state association. Nurse Randi Oviatt has worked for the school district for 20 years and currently serves students in sixth through eighth grades at Sturgis Williams Middle School, kindergarten through sixth grade at Whitewood Elementary School, and grades four and five at Sturgis Elementary. She also visits the rural schools at least annually.

Those who know her say the honor is well deserved. “Mrs. Oviatt is the epitome of a world class school nurse who has dedicated her life to good health and children,” said Chrissy Peterson, director of special services for the school district. “This is such an honor for me,” said Randi. “I’ve worked with other nurses who have won the award and I greatly respect them.” She added she couldn’t do her job without the help of the students, staff and parents. “They are the best to work with,” she said. Randi takes great care to assure that each child’s medical needs are met with love and expertise, treating each as if he or she were her only patient of the day.

From her first days as a school nurse when she would dispense Band-Aids, hugs and a therapeutic dose of cheerfulness, to the present, dealing with student medical needs as diverse as diabetes, asthma, ADHD, mental health issues, drug abuse and terminal conditions – Randi does it all in a compassionate yet professional manner. Under her leadership, a medical trust fund was established so that Meade School District students, whose families can’t afford it, receive medical and dental care, get prescriptions filled and new clothes and food for the family. She has also been instrumental in implementing a Migrant Health Program in the district and in developing an employee wellness program.

“Randi constantly looks for new opportunities to improve our school health services,” said co-worker and nurse Marcia Potts. “Randi is a resource for staff, families and students as she is familiar with the services available throughout the state. She is also the nurse the other nurses call when they are stumped on a diagnosis. Her experience makes her invaluable,” added Marcia. Former Meade School District nurse Colleen Ohrtman commented, “Randi is quick with a smile and a kind word. She is school nurse of the year, everyday, to her students, friends and colleagues.”

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