School Nurse Of The Year
Professional Growth Grants Awards Research School Nurse Of The Year
Elaine Rinehart, RN, BSN, NCSN is 2008 West Virginia School Nurse of the Year
Elaine Rinehart, RN, BSN, NCSN has been selected as the 2008 West Virginia School Nurse of the Year. Selected as the outstanding representative for School Nurses, Mrs. Rinehart is the only School Nurse in Wirt County. As a school nurse for 18 years, Elaine Rinehart has been in her present position in the county 5 years. Her experience with health assessment, disease management, and health promotion education has included all ages, from preschool through the 12th grade.
Health issues addressed by school nurses include acute and chronic health conditions that have an impact on students as they attend school. The role of the school nurse includes working effectively with school staff members to care for students with such health conditions as severe food and insect allergies, diabetes, and seizures. Students and parents have direct contact with the school nurse to facilitate the accuracy of health information and maintain safety while promoting the student's progression toward knowledgeable independence in managing their health condition.
School nurses communicate with such entities as the local health department and health providers to assure that students who attend school are engaged in health prevention and condition management. Attaining or maintaining proper immunizations is a visible example of this aspect of school nursing.
Supporting the health of our students and those members of our school communities, school nurses participate in programs to promote healthy lifestyles through exercise and active attention to nutrition through food choices. As school nurses actively encourage the decision-making skills of students today, the impact on the health of the adults of tomorrow may be reflected in a decrease in heart disease and obesity.
Superintendent Dan Metz has described Mrs. Rinehart as diligently working to encourage good health by example, dedicated to her profession, and creating an atmosphere of approachability for health information. She has earned the respect of nursing colleagues and fellow school professionals. Credited as being an excellent role model and inspiration, fellow professionals state, "Elaine [as School Nurse] provides services and [health] opportunities that are couched in research, clearly communicated, and professionally delivered" with a "genuine caring attitude".
As the school nurse in Wirt County, Mrs. Rinehart is responsible for actively developing an organized health services program that includes the establishment of a school-based health center for enhancing the on-site availability of health care for students. She was chosen as the regional Worksite Wellness Coordinator of the Year for 2007. A recipient of the Phoenix Award, for successful resuscitation outside of the health care setting, School Nurse Rinehart has overseen the placement of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in her county schools. She directs the annual training in First Aid and CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) course for school employees.
School Nurse Rinehart is active professionally by attaining National and West Virginia Certification as a School Nurse, maintaining certification in the American Heart Association as an Instructor in CPR and First Aid, and participating as an Active American Red Cross Medical Volunteer. She supports the newly placed school nurses as a School Nurse Mentor offering guidance and sharing her wealth of nursing skills and knowledge.
Elaine Rinehart will be recognized and honored by her school nurse colleagues of the West Virginia Association of School Nurses at this year's Annual Fall Conference in November. The organization will also recognize the runner-up for this prestigious award, Cassandra Judge of Jackson County.
