Our School Nurses' Stories

Why I Became a School Nurse / Health Technician

• Marquis Cook, Sr., student health technician

  I joined Children’s School Services (CSS) in 2017 as a student health technician working with Team 5 in Ward 6.

  Before joining school nursing, I was a national registered EMT working in the private ambulance field for 10 plus years and I also have experience as a patient care technician working at George Washington University Hospital on the trauma unit.

  My first year with CSS I can honestly say was a bit challenging. From counting narcotics, administering narcotics, carb counting, floating from school to school, and last but not least dealing with parents and getting them to understand that proper protocols have to be followed and if additional resources are needed then we can work together to succeed and get what we need.

  With the help of the nurses in Ward 6 and my manager, I was able to overcome a lot of challenges and understand how school nursing works.

  Three years later I can honestly say I am a great asset to Team 5 and the parents, staff and students of Ward 6 that we service on a daily basis.

  
  

• Robert Allen, RN, community health nurse

  I was recruited into school nursing by a colleague who sold me on the following points:

  • No weekends
  • Holidays off
  • Serving a well-patient population filled with joy and happiness
  • Considerable community engagement
  • Having long relationships with clients and their families
  • Endless professional opportunities and challenges (especially regarding the delivery of care to a large and diverse population)

  For my now nearly 15-year tenure, all those points held true, and then some! I love my job and my improved quality of my life. Most of all I love our kids and am excited to see them after spending any time apart.

• Andrella Adams, RN, community health nurse

  After working rotating shifts for 12 years at one of D.C.’s busiest hospitals, I wanted a change fast. Not to mention I was missing some of the key milestones of my children's’ lives. 

  I wanted a new career path that would allow me to spend more time with my family, improve my quality of life and happiness and at the same time give back to the community that helped shaped the person I am today. 

  Becoming a school nurse was one of the best decisions I could ever make!