GLEN BURNIE, Md. – In the middle of the school day on August 30, 2024, North County High School student Vanessa Witte experienced a medical emergency—her heart stopped. A nurse, with the assistance of two students and school officers, saved her life by administering CPR and using a defibrillator.
Nurse Elizabeth Kari, North County High School’s health nurse, was on duty that day, along with School Resource Officers (SRO) Mathew DaRe and Craig Madonna, who also contributed to the effort. Thanks to their brave actions, the student made a full recovery after being transported to a hospital.
Following the student’s recovery, those involved in the rescue were honored for their heroic actions at an Anne Arundel County Board of Education meeting on Oct. 2. The students, SRO Madonna, SRO DaRe, and Nurse Kari, each received a certificate recognizing their heroic actions. North County Principal Sara Thomas and Superintendent Mark Bedell both commended the students and staff for saving Vanessa Witte’s life.
Stories like Nurse Kari’s rarely gain enough publicity to enact change, but incidents like this open a dialogue about the necessity of trained nurses and healthcare professionals in the public school system.
School nurses save the lives of thousands of students every year, yet many schools lack the registered nurses required to meet students’ medical needs. Research indicates that “school nurses play a key role in improving the health of children with asthma and diabetes,” according to a study published in the National Library of Medicine.
School nurses are especially crucial for children with chronic medical conditions, who may need immediate medical attention during the school day. They also serve as a resource to help students with mental health issues and identify signs of potential bullying or problems at home.
A 2019 study published in the National Library of Medicine explored school nurses’ experiences working with students facing mental health issues. The results showed that while school nurses experienced worry about providing mental health treatment, the participants felt it was a rewarding experience and acted as a unique learning opportunity to advance their careers.
By awarding healthcare professionals like Nurse Kari for their efforts in helping youth recover from their medical issues, we can increase funding for educational programs for school nurses across Maryland. The Maryland Association of School Health Nurses promotes research studies about School Nurses and provides information about training courses, such as the Integrative Nurse Coach Certificate Program.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become that school nurses are an essential cog in the public school system, and having properly trained medical personnel is of paramount importance for the academic growth of young minds.
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If school nurses are so important, why are they not mandated??? I am the nursing supervisor for a district with over 4000 children. Finding a Registered Nurse for buildings is VERY difficult with the pay being low. If school nurses were mandated a competitive salary could be offered.