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VALHALLA, N.Y. Virginia Diamond is off to a busy start as the new Valhalla Middle/High School nurse. She has an extensive background in the field, which makes her the perfect person for the job.
Diamond had worked full-time as a nurse at White Plains Hospital for 10 years and continues to work at the hospital per diem. For the last three years she has worked as a school nurse in the Ossining School District.
The Valhalla community has been very warm and welcoming, which is nice and you definitely get a sense of community in this school, Diamond said. Everyone, from the students, to the parents, to faculty and staff, has been very kind. I know its hard to be the new kid on the block and everyone has gone out of their way to make me feel comfortable.
Diamond says she has about 25 to 30 students visit her office each day for medical attention.
We have over 830 students so you try to have good organizational skills and make sure that youre providing for the safe environment of students, Diamond said. Therere a lot of demands placed on the school nurse to make sure theyre providing the services to benefit the children to promote education and to make sure theyre meeting all the mandates and requirements that werent necessarily there years ago.
Since mid-August, Diamond has processed more than 300 students for red-card-clearance, which is required in order to be able to participate in athletics.
There are a variety of reasons for me to see children, including red-card-clearance, working papers, and phys-ed excuses, Diamond said. We also do screenings in the office for vision and hearing and also scoliosis screenings, so its a very busy office.
Diamond is part of the Wellness Committee, which is a new group with the goal of improving nutrition in the school and promoting health and wellness.
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