Health is everything. Without good health, we have nothing.

Translated to an educational setting, that means a student's heath is critical to his or her learning. As the certified school nurse at Conestoga Valley High School (CVHS) and the school district's nursing department's chair, Nancy Lopez has been advocating for students' well-being, treating ailments and even curing illnesses for 25 years.

"I think people think nurses in schools put on Band-Aids," said Lopez. "But I feel like we're an integral part of the overall education experience, the academic process. We want students to get the most out of their time at school."

A registered nurse, Lopez's duties as CVHS' certified school nurse include, but are not limited to, responding to medical emergencies, managing and following state health mandates, performing health screenings, distributing medications, providing direct care for injuries, maintaining health records for every student in the district and providing mental health support. Lopez also shares her health expertise in the classroom on an as-needed basis, lines up speakers on health care issues for assemblies, and founded the Students Against Destructive Decisions Club at the high school.

"It's an all-encompassing job," said Lopez. "When there's a need, we come to the table and give support. A typical day includes dealing with injuries and illnesses. We case manage on a certain level. We also make accommodations with families so students can be successful."

On average, Lopez's nurse's office at CVHS receives about 70 visits from students each day. They are students being affected by headaches, coughs, sore throats and injuries, as well as chronic conditions like asthma and diabetes.

"Anything you would go to the doctor for," said Lopez, a resident of Leola. "We're health supporters. What would work for one student might not work for another. There's a lot of specializing so we can meet their needs. Our ultimate goal is to keep students in school so they can learn.

"Think about a kid sitting in a classroom with a toothache," added Lopez. "With the pain, they're not able to learn; they're not learning. They're not concentrating on learning."

Lopez is one of 13 school nurses employed by the Conestoga Valley School District and stationed throughout the district's six buildings. Some work full-time, some work part-time, some are permanently assigned to a specific building and some float between buildings.

"Anybody we've dealt with knows exactly what we do," said Lopez. "Anyone who has received services from us knows what school nurses do. But I don't know if any parent whose student hasn't come to us knows what we do.

"At the end of the day, it's about relationships," continued Lopez. "It's about meeting kids where they are. Being a teenager these days is very difficult. It's about treating students with dignity and respect. It's also about realizing that many students have gone through trauma, and dealing with that professionally."

Empathetic, intuitive and knowledgeable, school nurses are nurses. But because they perform their duties in the unique settings that schools provide, a specialized skill set is required.

"There are definitely differences," said Lopez. "It's almost a more autonomous position. We're the only health care providers in the building. Our nurses have critical care backgrounds. It's definitely a bonus, because when emergencies do occur, that background will determine how that person responds. While emergencies don't happen at the same level as they do at a hospital, they do happen."

Lopez assumed her position as a certified school nurse at Conestoga Valley in 2001, returning to the school district that had helped form her during her developmental years.

"I graduated from Conestoga Valley, and my children graduated from Conestoga Valley," said Lopez. "At that point (2001), I was working in day surgery at Lancaster General Hospital. I was looking for a change, something that worked with my family. School nursing hours are very conducive to child rearing."

Lopez's nursing education includes numerous degrees and certificates, as well as stops at Lancaster General Hospital's School of Nursing, Millersville University, Eastern Mennonite University and other institutes of higher education. Lopez is a seasoned professional who is still evolving as a nurse.

"I feel like you're never done learning," said Lopez. "Where I think I've grown most is through understanding the importance of trusting relationships. I've seen a lot over the course of my years at Conestoga Valley. I do not pass judgment. I do not pretend to know what's going on in people's lives."