Josie Collins-Knapp
We at BISB welcome a new addition to the staff, Nurse Caroline! She has worked in multiple hospitals and is excited to work at a school for the first time. Here is an exclusive interview we had with her, where she shared with us her experience and advice for youths aspiring to go into a medical profession.
How many hospitals have you worked at?
I’ve worked at two. I’ve worked at Emerson hospital, which is in Concord Mass, and then I worked at Newton Wellesley which is in Newton.
Which departments did you work in?
At Emerson, I worked in the Med Search Float Pool, which is the ER, and all of the floors which basically aren’t Labor and Delivery or Surgery. And I worked at Newton Wellesley on the Pediatric floor, and then as a Nurse there, I worked on the Orthopedic floor.
How are the two hospitals different?
The two were a little different. They are both considered community hospitals, but the Newton Wellesley is actually one of the largest community hospitals, so it was a lot busier, and they do a lot more teaching, so there’s a lot more nurses and doctors, and it's a part of the Mass General and Brigham, so it also has more resources. One thing I liked is on the pediatric floor, we had a medical facility dog, he would comfort kids getting IVs and things.
Why did you decide to become a school nurse?
I decided to become a school nurse because I recently graduated, and I started off at the Newton Wellesley hospital on the Orthopedic floor. Working in the hospital, there were some things I didn’t like about it. It was a different environment and a little bit busier and no set schedule, but I really wanted to work with kids and so I really wanted to try working at a school so that I could have a different schedule, I wouldn’t have to work as many holidays and I could see smiling faces everyday.
Why did you choose BISB?
I chose it kind of by fate. I didn’t know about school, it just happened to show up when I was job searching. But, when I wasn’t sure about whether, I would be interested in the school, I did research it. I went to the website, checked it out and I really liked the campus, I liked that it was diverse, and it looked like it had really happy staff in the photos. And then, when I got to meet everyone, I realized everyone who works here really loves it.
What has your experience at BISB been like so far?
It's been really great; everyone who works here has been really welcoming to me. All the staff and the students. One of the days interviewed, there was a bake sale, and the parents were super friendly. So, it's been great, and I’ve really enjoyed it so far.
How is being a school nurse different than working in a hospital?
It’s very different, mostly in the setting for one: you have a lot more going on at the hospital, it’s a lot busier. But also at the hospital, you have a little bit more people you get to work with throughout the day, other nurses, doctors, social workers. Whereas here, I really only have one other nurse who works with sometimes. Then I talk to teachers and parents of course, but it’s a lot more on my own. Also, it's really fun because I get to see patients for a whole year or maybe multiple years if they stay at the school a long time and I get to really know them. Versus, at the hospital, I only see patients for two or three days and then they're gone.
What is your advice for anybody wanting to go down a medical path?
If you are interested but not sure, don’t be afraid to look into it and try it because it’s hard to know if you're gonna like it without trying it. Ways to try it when you're younger are to look into become a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) or an MA (Medical Assistant). Keep working really hard with Maths and Science classes because they are important classes when trying to apply to nursing school. And also, I have family and friends who are nurses, and I interviewed them and asked them what they liked about it as well and that helped me decide if I wanted to do it.
What advice do you have to stay safe in school?
To say safe in school, I would say the little things which can really be important in the long run - tying your shoelaces, looking up, being really careful when you're walking around the school, washing your hands really well, and covering your mouth when you cough. Anytime you go somewhere, especially when you’re a little bit younger I think it's very important that you walk with a friend or walk with your teacher. Make sure people know where you are. Never just leave your classroom or area without telling people where you are.
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