Rockwood Nurses Share How They Inspire Students to Be Lifelong Learners

February is Missouri Lifelong Learning Month, a time when we promote awareness of the importance of ongoing education throughout everyone's lives.

In the Rockwood School District, there are more than 140 educators and nearly 30 nurses who have earned National Board Certification.

This week, we feature Rockwood nurses Kristie Newell, Melissa Groff, Laura Hutzler, Stacy Kuykendall and Melissa Dooley. Learn why it's important for them to be lifelong learners and how they model and inspire their students to be lifelong learners.

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Kristie Newell
Nurse at Pond Elementary
4 years in Rockwood, 3 at Pond

Why is it important for you to be a lifelong learner?
Healthcare is always evolving and changing. It is so important to be actively pursuing educational opportunities to remain current and relevant and is imperative to never lose the desire to grow in our profession.

When and why did you pursue National Board Certification?
I started preparing for my National Board Certification for School Nursing in 2023 and received my certification in August of that same year. School nursing sometimes gets a reputation for just handing out ice packs and band aids but there is so much more to the role of a school nurse. Through preparation for certification, you learn the skills and knowledge necessary to take care of all of the complex needs of the student population. Having the utmost knowledge to do my job allows me to care for all students as effectively and safely as possible.

How do you model and inspire your students to be lifelong learners?
Every time I see a student, it is an opportunity to teach and inspire. The teaching I do in the school health office looks different from what the students receive in the classroom but can be just as valuable. I try to use each interaction with a student as an opportunity to not only teach them something about their health or wellness but also to listen to them as well. Being excited and interested in what they are doing and learning can add a spark that provides the urge for them to continue to learn and grow. Sometimes being engaged with the students is inspiration enough to provide the confidence they need to succeed.

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Melissa Groff
Nurse at Crestview Middle
9 years in Rockwood, all at Crestview

Why is it important for you to be a lifelong learner?
Learning new things helps not only in your career but personally as well. By being a lifelong learner I am able to increase my knowledge of my nursing skills, but more importantly it helps me stay flexible and resilient in the face of change. It also helps to build confidence and to be a more well-rounded individual.

When and why did you pursue National Board Certification?
I received my NCSN March 2021. I knew having my National Board Certification would allow me to develop my school nursing skills and would benefit the students I work with every day.  I also appreciate that Rockwood supports getting Nationally Certified.

How do you model and inspire your students to be lifelong learners?
I hope that I model and inspire students to be lifelong learners by being an example of stepping out of my comfort zone and talking something that may be difficult.

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Laura Hutzler
Nurse at Crestview Middle
4 years in Rockwood, 3 at Crestview

Why is it important for you to be a lifelong learner?
Medicine is always changing and requires you to continuously learn and update your knowledge. Lifelong learning in nursing is so important to help with decision making and to build confidence in your nursing skills.

When and why did you pursue National Board Certification?
I received my NCSN in October 2023. Certification is important because it shows that I have acquired the necessary skills and training to handle a variety of health issues within the school environment. It's great that Rockwood supports nurse certification.

How do you model and inspire your students to be lifelong learners?
Encouraging students to never stop learning - take courses, workshops or conferences. Take risks and challenge yourself.

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Stacy Kuykendall
Nurse at Eureka High
3 years in Rockwood, all at Eureka High

Why is it important for you to be a lifelong learner?
It is important for me to be a lifelong learner so that I am staying current in my health care practice. New research and studies are constantly emerging, and as a result there is an ongoing evolution of best practice guidelines in healthcare. I want to stay on top of the updates, so that I can provide the best care possible. 

When and why did you pursue National Board Certification?
I pursued National Board Certification in School Nursing to deepen my knowledge and understanding of this unique specialty in pediatrics. It is especially important to have a solid foundation of knowledge in this field of nursing as we often work autonomously.

How do you model and inspire your students to be lifelong learners?
I try to inspire students to be lifelong learners by fostering an environment where students feel comfortable to ask questions about health and medical topics. When someone comes in with an illness/injury, I use the opportunity to teach them about what brought them in, how to care for themselves, and how to try to prevent the issue in the future. 

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Melissa Dooley
Nurse at Eureka High
3 years in Rockwood, all at Eureka High

Why is it important for you to be a lifelong learner?
I believe we are all lifelong learners no matter how we look at it. To embrace learning fosters creativity and growth and enhances performance in your work. I also want to set a better example for those around me.

When and why did you pursue National Board Certification?
I pursued National Board Certification because it's important to stay informed and educated in your field. NASN is a great organization and they were encouraging and helpful in regard to getting the certification.

How do you model and inspire your students to be lifelong learners?
I encourage students to be lifelong learners by continuing to learn. I will look things up, call parents, look for doctor's notes to learn more about their situations. I always encourage them to ask questions and talk with them about what's going on and I'm always interested in what they have going on in their lives.