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 2012. Originally posted on November 21, 2011.