Student: ‘She is the best nurse ever’

By John Brieske

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

It’s always special for nurses when patients express gratitude for the care they receive. But when it comes with a hug and an angelic smile, it’s even more meaningful.

Barry Williams, Special Rhonda Smits
, East Coweta Middle School

Related

• Profiles of the other winners

Rhonda Smits, 50, is the school nurse at East Coweta Middle School in Senoia. Although she’s responsible for the health needs of about 720 students, she has a special connection with 8th-grader Andre Maynard.

“He’s such a kind-hearted little soul,” she said. “Every day he puts a smile on my face.”

Andre is a bright, energetic student who underwent a life-
changing experience last year. One day he felt just fine. The next day he wasn’t and he found himself in the hospital for three weeks, diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. When Andre returned to school, he was a little scared about getting three insulin shots a day.

“I wondered who would be there to help me with this... Plus it did not help that I was unsure about needles, and the thought of giving myself shots really did not settle well with me,” he wrote in his nomination.

His fears quickly subsided when he met Smits, who is in her second year at East Coweta Middle School. A school nurse for seven years, she educated Andre about the disease and helped him get over his fear of needles.

“She is now more than just a nurse to me. She is the best nurse ever. Nurse Rhonda has always been there for me,” he said.

Every morning, Andre comes to Smits’ office, where she checks his blood sugar levels. After he eats breakfast, Smits checks his carbohydrates and calculates how much insulin Andre needs before he injects himself. They repeat the procedure at lunch.

“She is always happy and has a way of making everyone feel special,” he said. “She is one of those people that really listen to you when you talk to her.”

Smits hasn’t always been a school nurse. For 22 years, she worked in maternal/child care in hospital settings. She enjoyed hospital nursing, but “when I became a school nurse, it just clicked. It felt natural. I get to spend every day with young people.”

Life as a school nurse is never dull. In addition to caring for Andre and two other diabetic students, Smits dispenses medication, treats ailments and takes care of students who get hurt during PE. In a normal day, she sees 40 to 50 students.

“It’s like a minor emergency room. We stay well-trained and well-prepared,” she said. “Sometimes they come in and just need a little hug.”

Smits was touched that a student nominated her.

“I know a lot of people talk about what’s wrong with young people today, but when an 8th-grader takes the time to do something like that, it gives you hope.”

Smits, who has been nominated twice before, was surprised when she found out that she won.

“It’s so awesome,” she said. “This is my 30th year in nursing. What an accolade this is. I can’t tell you how tickled pink I was when I found out.”