As you walk past the newly renovated health suite on the third floor, you may notice a new smiling face through the door. That’s Ms. White, the new school nurse and most recent addition to the wellness team at the Baltimore School for the Arts.
After the previous nurse, Ms. Shameka Jackson, took a new position at BSA, Ms. White filled the vacancy.
White had heard about the school before, and had driven past the building, but she had never gone inside. After being hired, right away she started working, helping any BSA student who needed her assistance during the day.
Ms. White wakes up every morning at 3:45 a.m. in order to arrive at BSA by 6:30 a.m. She finds a parking spot, enters the building, and takes care of any tasks that need to be done before the day starts. “Everything is pretty much routine,” stated White, “Monday through Friday.”
“It’s really nice. It’s so different,” White continued, when asked about her impression of the school so far. “When I came to this school, I felt I wasn’t in an ordinary high school. It really blew my mind.”
White described how different BSA feels than the other school settings in which she has worked. She’s happy to be working here. White finds the staff and students very friendly, respectful and welcoming.
“I don’t feel like like I’m in a regular school setting,” said Ms. White, “with all this talent around me.”
Due to the refurbishment and expansion of the health suite, Ms. White wasn’t able to settle into her permanent work space at first. Now that she has begun to work in the new office, she is in the process of making it her own by adding little personal touches to the room, including a picture of her daughter and granddaughter.
“Actually, I love this new health suite,” said White, and while she has begun to personalize the space, she still has more details to add.
“I always wanted to be in the medical field,” said White. Her mother, who had worked in the dietary industry, sparked her interest in nursing.
Thinking back to her childhood, White described “always loving pretending [she] was a nurse.” When her mother got home and got out of her uniform, White would “take her white stockings and put them on [her] head!”
White has always loved being around children. She has spent most of her career working with elementary and middle schoolers. “I have to keep in mind that I am working with older students,” said White. “I love working with the teenagers…I call them my big babies.”
As BSA enters the cold and flu season, White wants to remind everyone to take care of themselves.
“I’m always saying try to carry hand sanitizer, tissues, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables,” said White.
“If you’re sick: sick is sick, stay home.” White stated, “You can’t be well and sick in school or work. You have to be well to do both. Try to stay healthy, drink plenty of water…you can do your junk food in moderation. Just try to stay as healthy as possible.”
White always aims to help staff and students, whatever the need. One of her favorite parts about being a nurse is being there for people.
White tries to do everything she can possibly do to make a student or staff member’s day. She understands bad days, but tries to keep a smile on her face throughout the periods.
“You would never know when I’m having a bad day,” says White.
Being a part of the wellness team means always being there for students. White loves helping and being able to just talk with them.
“I always tell the students,” says White, “My door is always open. Always.”
So, next time you find yourself feeling unwell, don’t be afraid to head over to the health suite, and let Ms. White take care of you.
To contact this writer, email Muse Newspaper at musebsa@bsfa.org.
Featured photo by Lotus Pryor for the BSA Muse.
