Dallas ISD health services supervisor marks 15th year in school nursing

Dallas ISD Health Services Supervisor Rosa Guerrero is marking her 15th year as a school nurse with the district, where she says student success begins with good health.

Guerrero said her interest in nursing began when she was a child at Ignacio Zaragoza Elementary School. She remembered watching the school nurse care for students and staff and, at times, help her father, who suffered from vertigo.

“I still remember her name,” Guerrero said. “Watching her and the way she cared for the students left a good impression.”

Guerrero said another nurse later influenced her decision to pursue health care after her father was diagnosed with cancer and entered hospice care. She recalled the nurse as “very caring, very supportive, and was able to provide that emotional support to our family.”

During her years in Dallas ISD, Guerrero said her favorite part of the work has been building relationships with students and their families.

“You get to know them, you get to know the student,” she said.

Guerrero said school nurses support student achievement by working with counselors, administrators, coordinators and other departments to help ensure students receive needed care. Nurses also conduct medical referrals, including hearing and vision screenings.

“Student health is really important,” she said. “We create a foundation for the students to gain skills that will impact them for the rest of their life.”