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SCHOOL NURSE OF THE YEAR 2018: DANA RAYE
a started her nursing career 1998 with an intense desire to experience as many specialties and aspects of nursing as possible to prepare for a future in nursing education. After starting her career in cardiac care, she had an opportunity to experience school nursing overseas while her husband served in the military. Upon returning to the U.S., she was able to gain experience as an emergency/trauma nurse. She also spent three years as a Clinical Nurse & Educator within the Emergency Department training new staff nurses and developing programs for the department. After almost 10 years, she transitioned back to school nursing in DoDEA, a surprisingly similar field.
Dana believes it is impossible to separate the physical, emotional, and spiritual parts of a person and operates under the philosophy that the whole child needs to be cared and nurtured. She serves as Student Support Team Chair and enjoys sharing in the team's growth and successes with students and families. She collaborates with community organizations to provide educational health opportunities, fitness and nutrition challenges, and comprehensive health screenings. She led the way in organizing an after school run this school year focused on promoting nutrition, environmentally sound practices, and fitness to support her school’s Green Ribbon goals and initiatives.
An important aspect of her school nursing practice is that she strives for opportunities to grow professionally and personally, often stepping outside of her comfort zone. Where there have been perceptions that the school nurse should not, or cannot, fulfill certain roles in the educational setting, Dana has used that as an opportunity to reshape the boundaries, provide leadership in a new way, and practice school nursing within a true 21st century framework.
Dana believes it is impossible to separate the physical, emotional, and spiritual parts of a person and operates under the philosophy that the whole child needs to be cared and nurtured. She serves as Student Support Team Chair and enjoys sharing in the team's growth and successes with students and families. She collaborates with community organizations to provide educational health opportunities, fitness and nutrition challenges, and comprehensive health screenings. She led the way in organizing an after school run this school year focused on promoting nutrition, environmentally sound practices, and fitness to support her school’s Green Ribbon goals and initiatives.
An important aspect of her school nursing practice is that she strives for opportunities to grow professionally and personally, often stepping outside of her comfort zone. Where there have been perceptions that the school nurse should not, or cannot, fulfill certain roles in the educational setting, Dana has used that as an opportunity to reshape the boundaries, provide leadership in a new way, and practice school nursing within a true 21st century framework.
U.S. Licensed School Nurses Working in an International Setting
Julie Hudson, MSN, RN, NCSN
Nancy Smith Tsurumaki, MSN, RN, NCSN
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Abstract
There are many similarities between school nursing abroad and school nursing in the United States. However, there are also some major differences in school governance, parents, students, school dynamics, and school personnel. This article offers insights from two nurses working overseas in Japan as school nurses, one at a Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) school in Okinawa and one in an international school in Tokyo. The authors offer an overview comparison of these types of overseas schools in areas such as history; funding and governance; and families. They present student challenges and experiences encountered while providing school nursing overseas. Implications for practice are offered in the context of working with Third Culture Kids, or those students who return to schools in the United States after an international experience that, even if positive, may affect their reintegration into American culture. Citation: Hudson, J., Tsurumaki, N.S., (September 30, 2017) "U.S. Licensed School Nurses Working in an International Setting" OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in NursingVol. 22, No. 3, Manuscript 5. |
OSHNA NCSN Certification Award Recipient
Nancy Tsurumaki MSN, RN, NCSN
I had thought that maybe, one day, I would take the National Certification in School Nursing exam, but since I am only In the US for a short time in the summer, I could never arrange to be there during the testing window. This year, for the first time, the NCSN test was being offered overseas at Prometric Testing Centers. Since there is testing center in Tokyo, I decided in December to sign up for the March test, and I started studying. The book, School Nursing Certification Review-Most Current Edition, offered for sale at the National Association of School Nurse’s bookstore, was very helpful in my preparation. As others have stated, the exam itself, is very comprehensive, but I was able to pass. I thank OSHNA for the 100 dollar award. Since I am working by myself at an international school, I found that preparing for the test was a great review, and it encouraged me to update my knowledge on US law, policies, and procedures, along with other aspects of school nursing.
I had thought that maybe, one day, I would take the National Certification in School Nursing exam, but since I am only In the US for a short time in the summer, I could never arrange to be there during the testing window. This year, for the first time, the NCSN test was being offered overseas at Prometric Testing Centers. Since there is testing center in Tokyo, I decided in December to sign up for the March test, and I started studying. The book, School Nursing Certification Review-Most Current Edition, offered for sale at the National Association of School Nurse’s bookstore, was very helpful in my preparation. As others have stated, the exam itself, is very comprehensive, but I was able to pass. I thank OSHNA for the 100 dollar award. Since I am working by myself at an international school, I found that preparing for the test was a great review, and it encouraged me to update my knowledge on US law, policies, and procedures, along with other aspects of school nursing.