School nurse Gabrielle Tessler of Liberty HS Academy for Newcomers in Manhattan beams with RN pride.
School nurses gathered to network and celebrate at the UFT School Nurses Chapter’s annual School Nurses Appreciation Dinner. The event, held at UFT headquarters on May 6, recognizes members’ dedication on National School Nurse Day. Nurses appreciated the rare opportunity to connect with one another, said Mary O’Connor, a school nurse at PS 41 in Manhattan. “We’re isolated and work on our own — we never get to see each other,” said O’Connor, who attends the union dinner each year to catch up with her colleagues. School nurses are often the sole person providing health care for a large student body, and their critical work includes addressing students’ chronic conditions, such as diabetes or asthma, or helping newcomers navigate the health care system. “School nurses are first responders and counselors, ensuring that every child is healthy enough to learn, grow and thrive,” said School Nurses Chapter Leader Cynthia Bennett. O’Connor echoed the sentiment: “That’s what we do every day: save students’ lives.”
