School nurse Sherri Vitali poses for a quick picture Thursday afternoon at Bear Creek High School. (Whitney Ramirez/News-Sentinel)

What we can learn from Sherri Vitali

LUSD nurse helps keep students healthy

Sherri Vitali has been a registered nurse for 25 years. Up until nine years ago, she was an oncology nurse. She then decided it was time for a career change.

"I wanted to be on the preventative end, rather than when patients were on the downside," she said.

Vitali chose to be a nurse for the Lodi Unified School District, where she said she enjoys making a positive impact on children.

What kinds of problems have you seen?

We have some children who have pre-existing medical conditions such as diabetes who need their blood sugar monitored or may need insulin injections. Or they may have specialized health care needs such as a gastric tube to feed them. Others may have childhood illnesses such as the flu. Sometimes there are injuries on the playground. It can be anything.

My first year, there was a child who had behavior problems. He didn't want to go to class and didn't look healthy. I advised the parents to have him checked. It turned out he had Graves Disease, which is a thyroid disorder. His behavior then changed 100 percent.

How do you know if a student is faking sickness?

You really can't tell. You just have to spend time with the child and question them. If they are complaining about a headache, they might be dealing with a confrontation in class or a problem at home, or maybe they are going through testing which makes them emotional. We will call parents and a lot of times the parents will help us out. They will say, 'He didn't really want to go to school today.' We only send them home if they have a fever, or are vomiting or have diarrhea or have a persistent cough.

How often do you see vomit?

Usually when kids get sick it's on the playground or in the classroom. Once in awhile it's in the office.

What is the most unusual situation you have dealt with?

I had a child swallow a paper clip once. He had to go to the emergency room to be X-rayed. We had three sixth-graders who got ahold of ecstasy. We had to call the paramedics. They turned out to be fine. Then, we had a fifth-grader who had pierced his ear himself with a safety pin.

How do you feel about giving medications to students?

A lot of children need them to help them in school. If it has to be done, it is for the good of the student. It is challenging because we don't have nurses in every school. Sometimes it falls on the school secretary and it is a big responsibility.

How often do you deal with the kids? Is it on a daily basis?

I think when your are at your school on a daily basis someone is in the office. They are either sick or have playground injuries. It may be a broken bone or even head injuries.

What is satisfying about your job?

I like the variety and the autonomy. Most of us can design our own practice our own way. I love working with the children and feeling I can make a positive impact. I like working with the teachers. The schedule is wonderful. It works out well for my kids.