MCINTOSH JOINS SCHOOL DISTRICT AS NURSE AT ORCHARD ELEMENTARY

Joyce McIntosh is not entirely new to the Jackson School District. She has substituted in the district for about three years. Her children, Stuart and Lucas, attend school in the district.

After graduating from nursing school in 1979, McIntosh began working in different areas of the hospital; ICU, GI Lab, post surgical floor, cardiac rehab, pre-op and the recovery room.

Orchard Elementary School now has a full-time nurse in McIntosh who plans to take care of these children in a more personal way. Because of the volume of children in one school -- Orchard has about 400 students -- and the rise of health problems in children, the need for a full-time nurse has been filled.

McIntosh plans to rely on her teaching skills to educate children and parents about their health.

McIntosh enjoys talking to people and, if the need arises, will be more than happy to help them understand a disease process.

McIntosh thinks that with the additional nurses hired in the district, "nurses can focus on the needs of that school."

In addition to administering medicine, taking care of sick or injured children and doing paperwork, McIntosh is looking forward to offering extra health programs to help children learn how to keep themselves healthy. The programs offered last year, like dental health and handwashing, will not be overlooked. The addition of new health programs, exercise and nutrition, have been added to the agenda.

"With the dependence our society has on fast food, these issues are extremely important, especially at a time when these children are so receptive" McIntosh said.

McIntosh spent six weeks teaching an "energy to burn" class about exercise and nutrition at West Lane Elementary School a few years ago.

She smiles as she recalls this event, saying: "I still run into kids who remember it."