Story by Amelia Ingold, assisted by Angela Bellini
Meet Lauren Wright, the brand new Chagrin Falls Nurse. Lauren has been working as a school nurse for 6 years and is a Kent State graduate. School Nurses are incredibly important to our school community because they provide direct healthcare services and promote a healthy school environment, they are also a very important bridge between education and health.
Wright’s decision to become a nurse started with her family members’ life in the medical field. In result, it was something that she had known about for a long time and wanted to pursue. Lauren’s personal story to help middle school age students and her inspiration to join the community came from her love to be around people, especially children. Wright worked in Houston for the past five years before at one of their middle schools with over 900 people in a class.
Ms. Wright’s passion is to work with Chagrin kids in order to find a healthy balance and make sure that all kids stay safe and healthy in the school’s environment, mentally or physically.
Ms. Zeiler, the Gurney and Middle School nurse said that “Nurse Wright is amazing because not only does she effectively manage all the clinics across the district, she maintains a calm presence when necessary to handle incidents that come up. She is also very supportive of clinic staff and helping them when needed!”
New nurses like Lauren bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to the school environment, significantly enhancing student well-being. Their recent training equips them with the latest knowledge in healthcare practices and mental health strategies, allowing them to address contemporary issues that students face today. By establishing trust and open communication, new nurses can create safe spaces where students feel comfortable discussing their health concerns, whether physical or emotional. They often introduce new programs focused on prevention and education, empowering students to take charge of their health. Moreover, the enthusiasm and dedication of new nurses inspire not only students but also faculty and families, fostering a collaborative approach to creating a supportive school community.
Her days can look so different. She says on a good day, “I go between the schools and don’t see a lot of students but on a bad day I am running back and forth, and seeing kids with lots of injuries.” Lauren told us “I would much rather have a less busy day because it means less injured kids.” Lauren’s job is the head of the nurses in the district, so she checks in on each office every day.
Mrs. Wright has the ability to quickly solve frequent health issues and concerns like diabetes, headaches, allergies, and more.
Lauren said the most important thing you could possibly do is to wash your hands. Studies say that only 5% of children in schools actually wash their hands (MSU). Hand washing can prevent the spread of many diseases.
Lauren works extremely well with students and can help them stop panic attacks. She says that the nurse’s office is the place to come if you need any help, mental, physical or emotional. She says that taking a deep breath can really help.
Lauren told us about a time when a girl came into her office when she worked in Houston. She said that the girl had such a terrible panic attack that she fainted, and they had to call an ambulance. This incident shows her ability to react quickly to stressful situations. I asked Mrs. Wright if it happens often, she said, “Panic attacks are pretty common, ones like that are very rare. They are many types of intensities.”
Lauren’s job is very important in this community. She puts a smile on so many faces and is so kind and considerate to everyone. She understands that everyone has a different way of feeling and acting. Lauren always makes sure that every kid is taken care of and understood. She works so hard to make sure that everyone is okay. Lauren Wright is a magnificent nurse, and she is such a good role model for lots of students.
