District offers unique and rewarding opportunities for nurses

Christopher Sciria
AECSD Public Information Specialist

Registered nurses have numerous choices where they can work, whether it’s a hospital, a doctor’s office, or another type of medical facility, but some RNs may not be aware the Auburn Enlarged City School District can also be an option. 

The district is trying to fill some open nursing positions and offers some unique advantages such as scheduling and the ability to work in an educational setting. The way the district staffs its schools, it has two nurses at both the high school and the junior high school and one at each of the five elementary schools. 

Nurses who work in the schools have the same calendar as students, which means if they have children in the district, they are able to be home with them during breaks such as Christmas break, snow days, as well as the majority of summer vacation. School nurses do have to work 20 days during the summer. School nurses never have to work nights and weekends, allowing them a more regular schedule which is often beneficial for their family lives.

“When my kids are home from college, I'm able to be home,” said Kelly Lupo, who has been a nurse at Auburn High School for nine years. Lupo said it was a nice perk when her children attended Auburn High School that she could be in the same building.

Lupo said there are many reasons why she enjoys working at the high school.

“People think of it as them (teenagers) being a difficult age group to work with, but it's also nice,” she said. “It's nice to work with the kids and see their accomplishments, and then there's sporting events and concerts. This time of year the seniors are applying to colleges and you learn about where they're going and sharing that kind of stuff too. You develop relationships with certain kids, and that happens in every building, at every age level.”

There’s also the benefit of working with younger children.

“Children are a huge positive with those sweet smiles,” said Caren Radell, the district’s nurse supervisor, “that love that you get, that hug that child delivers to you.”

Radell, who has been with the district for 23 years, said being a school nurse may be a good option for a new RN who just graduated from nursing school.

“I have hired new grads, and they have done well,” she said. “I am willing to talk to anybody and address their issues and hear what they have to offer, which could maybe benefit both of us.”

As for what school nurses do, there’s a stereotype of putting on Band-Aids and ice packs, but there’s a lot more to the job. Of course a school nurse will tend to a student who doesn’t feel well or is injured, but they also have to administer medications, immunizations as well as injections for diabetic students. Then there are BMI, hearing and vision screenings, and annual immunization surveys for students as well as setting up physical examinations for athletes. School nurses also have to make arrangements for field trips if a student needs treatment. They also have to monitor for concussions.

“I think most people don't realize just how many other responsibilities we have,” Lupo said. “I've talked to many people, oh school nursing, you know, Band-Aids and ice packs, and yes, we are Band-Aids and ice packs, but there's a lot more to it that people don't realize.” 

And like any nursing job, a school nurse’s day can be busy with numerous students visiting the health office but there’s also a satisfaction that you are helping young people.

“I like working with kids, I always have,” Lupo said. “That was one of the big draws I like. I didn't work in pediatrics when I didn't work in the school system but I think it's important to be there for the students. There are students that we see on a regular basis, they feel that they can come to us when they’re having issues.”

To learn more about nursing opportunities in the Auburn Enlarged City School District, click here.