In the nurse’s office, along with the sick children and the blue cots, the inhalers and insulin pens sit around and wait for use. It is one of the most important rooms in the school. No, it isn’t the gym, or the fieldhouse, or the principal’s office. It’s the nurse’s office.

Many people visit daily for inhalers, insulin, medicine, or just to lie down. So many people filter through, it is hard to count. Regular influenza victims are rarely seen away from the beds and the trash cans, while some suffering through colds handle the Kleenex box. While some may be in the room often, there are always more frequent visitors.

For example, a Type One diabetic may visit the room up to three times a day. An asthmatic may need their inhaler during gym or physical activity in class. Another commonplace person in the nurse’s office would be one with allergies, or someone who requires certain pills.

At any time, the nurse is on high alert in case a medical emergency, or Code Blue, happens. A Code Blue could be anything from a bad fall that caused blood, to an allergic reaction. Multiple teachers who have ample knowledge of first aid are eligible to join the Code Blue Team. In case of an emergency, a Code Blue will be called and the team will respond while their class remains in the room.
The nurse’s office isn’t as bad as students think. The whiteboard often has questions about the season, or random topics. Some examples include “What is your favorite TV show?” Answers are written, and in a week or so, the question is taken down. Anybody can come up with a question, and anybody can answer. Even if someone is stopping by, they can say hello and answer the question, or just read the answers. Anna Schroeder, grade 10, is a Type 1 Diabetic. “I think that [the questions on the board] are cool.”

Such a multitude of people visit the nurse’s’ office that it makes a comforting and warm feeling shroud the room. Rarely a time appears when the nurse’s office is empty. Many people take for granted the school nurses, while other countries like Canada leave the sick or injured, and let the office decide whether or not to let them go home. While many people avoid the nurse’s office, it is better to have an adult who knows how to take care of students than be stuck at school, sick.