Document: ADMAGAZINE_MAIN_1ST_11-09-09_NURSINGFALL24_B_M_24_42224;Page: 1;Trim size: (8.375 x 10.875 ");Plate: Composite;Date: 23 Oct, 2009 12:35:27
Careers&Training By AshleyPetry
Photo: Marc LebrykJolene Bracale, RN, MSN, monitors H1N1 information for Hamilton SoutheasternSchools.
Acareerinschoolnursing
Degreerequired,compassionaplus
get to knowthe siblings,and you become a■ Jolene Bracale, RN, MSN, never
partofthe community.”intended to be aschool nurse.
Soon after moving to Indiana,she took What it takes | As of October 2008,more
atemporaryjob at her son’sschool,filling than 1,150 nurses wereatworkinIndiana
in for anurse who was on maternityleave. schools —aratio of about onenurse for
The job was supposed to tide her over until every1,000 students —according to the
she found apermanent job.But the original Indiana AssociationofSchool Nurses.
nurse decided not to returntowork—and School nursing offers ahost of rewards,
by then Bracale was hooked. but it isn’t for everyone.According to
Fourteen years later,Bracale is the Bracale,the best school nurses have
supervisor of nursing services for Hamilton compassion,communicationskills and the
SoutheasternSchools,overseeing astaff of abilitytoteach.
35 nurses in 20 buildings.Sherecentlywas “A school nurse has to be compassionate
named School Nurse Administrator of the and havealoveofchildren,”she said.“And
Year.Evenbetter,she stillloves her job. technically,aschool nurse has to be great at
“You get to make an impact on kids’lives,” assessment,because the clinic is almost like
she said.“And youget to followthem as they amini emergencyroom.Younever know
grow up.You get to knowthe families,you what’s going to come through that door.”
24 Indiana Nursing Quarterly •indystar.com/INQ •Fall 2009 1ST
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32