Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived, this is to have succeeded.” Nurses within Canyons District make life easier for thousands of students all across the District every day.
With more than 33,000 students spread across 50 schools and programs, 20 hardworking nurses ensure each student is cared for when they need it.
“We have about 800 individualized health plans across the District that our nurses monitor hour upon hour in order to keep students in the classroom,” says Brian McGill, Director of Student Wellness Services for the District. “I’m always astonished at the volume and quality of care they are able to provide.”
Recently, Canyons nurses took on the task of auditory screening for students. In the last year, Canyons nurses provided 23,270 vision screenings, 12,257 hearing screenings, and vaccinated 1,536 students.
Nurses are hard at work already preparing for next year and working to ensure students have the proper immunizations needed for the school year.
“It’s been one of those elements which has helped keep kids in school,” says McGill. “Attendance is a major priority of the Canyons School District and the nurses are contributing directly to that aid of allowing kids to be able to be in school.”
On June 3, the District will hold a vaccine clinic for all school required vaccines. The District is partnering with Utah Vaccines for Children and Salt Lake County Health Department to offer vaccines to students who qualify with no out-of-pocket cost.
Most District nurses split their time between two or three schools, providing daily care and are the ones to provide First Aid or CPR.
“Their balance between compassion, caring for others and their work ethic, their drive for student advocacy and student support has been off the charts,” says McGill. “I’ve gained a whole new perspective and appreciation for them. It really starts and stops with them because if a kid doesn’t have the basic building blocks of physical health in place, they can’t maximize their opportunities for learning.”
