Private school nurse describes 'intensity' of doing weekly COVID tests for students, staff

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (ABC7) — Since late August, the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School in Rockville has taught students in person.

Natasha Oksenhendler is one of two nurses for nearly 1,300 students and staff. Charles E. Smith tests every student and staff member once per week. It has had 13 positive cases to date.

The private school contracts with a lab, which typically returns results within 36 hours of testing. Oksenhendler told 7 On Your Side that the CARES Act covers the cost of school testing, at least for now.

Montgomery County Councilmember Craig Rice (D-District 2) says Montgomery County must hire more registered nurses to safely reopen every public school building. Currently, 120 county nurses juggle 208 public schools.

“This is not just a one-nurse job because there are so many responsibilities that are at play here that they’re going to need support," Councilmember Rice remarked. "I envision having more than one medical support person that is at these schools as they’re opening in the very beginning.”

Oksenhendler, who left the emergency room to have a more normal nursing life, says the last 11 months have required countless work nights, holidays, and weekends.

“I cannot imagine how a public school nurse who has to oversee two to three buildings, two to three schools at a time can ever pull this off. I think that without it, they’re doing a huge disservice to their community, to their children and their staff."

Councilmember Rice acknowledged that funding is a multi-million-dollar question. He believes that the CARES Act will help in the short, and possibly medium term, but adds that state and local funding will be required to keep more nurses in schools long term.