Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 27, 1995 TAG: 9504270049
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: MELISSA DeVAUGHN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
Literally.
While the Montgomery County School nurse has gotten used to such demanding conditions - caring for 8,900 students in all of the county's 20 schools - she's resting a little easier when it comes to Harding Avenue Elementary School.
The school is home to a pilot program started in February by some ingenious premed students at Virginia Tech. It's called the Montgomery County Volunteer Health Organization. Its purpose is to provide free health care to children in Montgomery County Schools, while giving the premed students valuable health care experience.
"I really got attached to the kids when I worked with them as a tutor," said John Crisafulli, one of the founders of the Virginia Tech YMCA-sponsored program. "That's when I found out they only have one nurse."
With the volunteer health program in place, Harding Avenue now has a student-assistant at the school every day. Only two, two-hour blocks on Monday and Wednesday mornings are without a volunteer.
"We've had over 120 children visit the clinic so far," Crisafulli said.
Fortunately, most of the injuries are minor - scraped knees, stomach aches and an occasional bloody nose - but Crisafulli said the experience is still rewarding.
"It's been going really well, and the volunteers are having fun with the kids," he said. "The best part is I think we've taken a lot of work off the secretaries' backs and the principals' because they don't have to worry so much."
Still, the volunteers are limited in what they can do. They cannot administer any medication or give shots, and they've been through extensive training to know when an emergency is a real emergency.
"Volunteers are told if they don't feel comfortable doing something, they can ask for help," said King, the county's nurse. "And they can always call the rescue squad or 911 if it's really serious."
Student volunteers are certified in CPR and first aid and have taken a class on how to deal with bodily fluids. They also have had a hepatitis B vaccine, taken a tuberculin test and have passed extensive criminal checks.
Not only does the program help the school, but it's good hands-on experience for these aspiring doctors and nurses.
"It gives me patient contact in a clinical setting and that will help me know what it's like in a job setting," Crisafulli said. "A lot of medical schools are looking for that sort of experience."
Christina Munro, co-founder of the program, said she wants to be a pediatrician, and the school volunteer program will be invaluable to her.
"This is a natural progression," she said. "Basically, I was shocked when I learned there was only one nurse for all the schools."
King is glad to have the assistance.
"I don't have to run over here quite as much because there's always someone over here who knows what to do," King said. "We're beginning to depend on them."
Interest in the program is growing, said Munro, who expects it to expand to two more area schools and have 30 volunteers by next year.
King said very few school systems have more than one nurse because it is not a state mandate. "As far as I know, there are no funds for more nurses, but we need more help," she said.
by CNB