When you think about school nurses, the image that comes to mind might be of someone dispensing Band-aids, administering ice packs or helping to stop a bloody nose.
But the pandemic put school nurses on the front lines against COVID-19 in schools. It was an incredibly trying time and these individuals continued to devote themselves to their work and helping others.
Throughout the county school nurses continued to go work and help not only their students but also their fellow staff members, as COVID-19 cases saw a sharp rise in Colorado. They were there to care for others at a time when it was also extremely stressful for themselves.
All of the school nurses in Fort Morgan, Brush, Wiggins and Weldon Valley displayed incredible bravery and dedication. At the beginning of the pandemic, they were instrumental in helping districts begin implementing social distancing health and safety recommendations.
Schools were forced to adjust, and nurses, administrators and support staff began to put new systems into place for when positive COVID-19 results arose. It was a particularly difficult time for the nurses as they made every effort to ensure their patients were taken care of and that they were not bringing anything home with them that could infect friends or family.
With the pandemic arising in March, schools had the summer to make a plan for how students would return and what they would do should someone test positive for COVID-19. Morgan County was able to return students to in person learning at the start of the fall but come November, Brush Middle School, Brush High School, Fort Morgan High School and Weldon Valley School had all moved some or all grades’ classes to remote learning.
When a staff member or student tests positive, those initial feelings of illness are reported and taken to the school nurse who is then risking their life to evaluate their patient. Every single school nurse throughout the county showed incredible fortitude during this time and the community thanks them immensely.
