Advocating for Care in Every Classroom
With over 12 years of nursing experience, Sarah Cortez made the switch to school nursing three years ago—and hasn’t looked back. Supporting three Class 2 school districts, Cortez finds deep meaning in helping children access the care they need, even when it’s not easy to come by.
“School nursing is very different from typical clinical work,” she says. “Children’s symptoms can be subjective, and sometimes the goal is just to help them make it through the day.” For students without access to regular health care, Cortez often serves as the first point of assessment. “It can be sad to see how deficient some kids’ care is, but it’s powerful to be the one to help start that conversation with families.”
“We help students access care and start health conversations that might not happen otherwise. That’s a big impact.”
Sarah Cortez
Cortez has seen a rise in serious health concerns, including severe allergies, and helps students follow up with providers while supporting families in understanding next steps.
Cortez completed WSU’s School Nursing: Preparation for Initial Certification course with the help of the Linda Bordwell Educational Fund for School Nursing. “It was validating to hear from other school nurses across districts and states. The flexibility of Zoom and weekend scheduling made it doable, and I gained so much from those connections.”
Thinking about becoming a school nurse?
The School Nursing: Preparation for Initial Certification course at the WSU College of Nursing is designed for BSN-prepared nurses seeking to take the next step in their career. This hybrid course includes online study and live instruction and is approved by the Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Learn more about the School Nursing: Preparation for Initial Certification course
You can also support future school nurses by donating to the Linda Bordwell Educational Fund for School Nursing.
