LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. — From helping stomach aches to broken bones, school nurses greatly impact students’ lives. These hidden Los Alamitos High School heroes are Mrs. Sandra Nash and Mrs. Cassandra Palacios. Since childhood, Mrs. Nash and Mrs. Palacios have aspired to help others. These nurses continue to heal bones and hearts with their kindness and dedication at LAHS.  

Mrs. Nash, LAHS nurse

This interview was edited and condensed.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

The most challenging part of my job is not knowing what happens at the end of the day. Sometimes when you send kids to the hospital or home, you are often left wondering what happened to them. You rely on training at the moment, but when you’re done doing that, you get back home and start questioning yourself. 

What is the most overlooked part of being a school nurse? 

As a health clerk, I can tell you that the school nurse does so much behind-the-scenes work. It’s incredible. It’s not just seeing students. It’s also paperwork, immunizations, medications, doctors, training, taking care of students inside and outside of class and learning new medications. 

What’s your favorite part of your job?

My favorite part of the job is keeping the kids happy and healthy. I love their smiles when they finally leave the nurse’s office. It’s just nice to feel like you accomplished something good for someone. 

What’s the most common injury? 

The most common reasons people come in are either headaches or stomach aches. As far as injuries, they would be simple cuts or bruises. 

What made you want to become a nurse? 

I have always loved helping people. I’ve always been “the nurse” of my family. When my dad would come home injured from working on cars, I would always be there to help him and clean him up, so I think it’s a good fit for me. 

Mrs. Palacios, LAHS nurse

This interview was edited and condensed.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

The most challenging part of my job is ensuring everybody is safe and getting the right attention. I get a lot of paperwork and have to memorize countless different medications for students. There’s only one of me for half the day, which can get overwhelming. 

What is the most overlooked part of being a school nurse? 

Other nurses don’t think it’s as elite as working in a hospital, but I feel that, especially at the high school level, there’s a large gamut of medical medicine actually occurring. I think it’s just overlooked in terms of the field of medication. There are lots of layers to it that people don’t even expect. 

What’s your favorite part of your job?

My favorite part of my job is that I get to work here in a community that I love. My children and I have gone to LAHS, and there is always a great sense of pride in working here because of that. 

What’s the most common injury? 

We see a lot of injuries from PE and 3D design classes. Burns on the hand and ankle injuries are probably the most common. 

What made you want to become a nurse? 

I wanted to become a nurse because it’s like second nature to me. Ever since I’ve had my first daughter, I’ve been inspired by the effort nurses put in for people. I’ve always just liked to help others in a motherly way, so nursing suits me.  

Mrs. Nash and Mrs. Palacios continue to heal the students at LAHS through their kindness and nursing capabilities!