As school nurses get their shots, optimism grows to keep kids in school

GRAND ISLAND, Neb — Those on the frontlines of keeping schools healthy had their doubts but now say they expect kids to stay in class until the end of the year.

"2021 time for fun!"

That's the note on Katie Dubbs' message board, as she welcomed kids back to Newell Elementary after Christmas break.

"I did not think we would make it past Halloween and it just got better. The kids -- resilient. The kid are great, they want to be here so glad they are here," said Dubbs.

"Nurse Katie" as she's known said the scientific breakthrough that resulted in vaccines is the reason for her improved outlook. She got her first dose in the waning hours of 2020.

"I said I'll be first in line," she said, saying she didn't hesitate when she was told she could get her shot.

Chris Vrooman, the lead nurse for Grand Island Public Schools said school nurses are on the frontlines.

"Our nurses see students every day and we do have nurses who test positive for COVID, we assess and send home. We also have nurses doing COVID testing, as specimen collectors we're towards top of list," Vrooman said.

Vrooman and Dubbs also know moms and dads will turn to school nurses with vaccine questions.

"Even when I go to the gas station, if I'm in scrubs I get a questions," Dubbs said.

It's why she tracked side effects hour by hour.

"So I could give them an honest answer how it would feel," she explained.

She said her side effects were on the more severe end, with fever and chills for about 30 hours. She said Tylenol helped her manage and said it was nothing compared to a COVID infection.

Vrooman and Dubbs said they will advocate for the vaccine and they're hopeful teachers can get a shot soon.

"I feel like it was one more step to keep us in school for remainder of year, hopefully until end of May," Vrooman said.

Much more than scraped knees and paper cuts, school nurses say they've dealt with COVID daily and the vaccine brings hope of ending the school year in school.

"I feel like it's light at the end of the tunnel that'll end this pandemic," Dubbs said.

School nurses are in Tier III of Phase IA. Teachers are listed in Tier II of Phase IB.