Christina Warren, RN, BSN, NCSN

Hi and Welcome Students and Families!
 
 I would like to introduce myself and share some basic school health guidelines.  I began practicing nursing in 2005 after receiving my Bachelor of Science in Nursing from ECU.  My experience includes cardiac intermediate care, interventional radiology, and working on the critical care nurse resource team for our local hospital.  In 2014, I was given the opportunity to serve the community and school system where I grew up.  I obtained National Board Certification for School Nursing in 2015.  I served as the school nurse for Fred A. Anderson Elementary School from 2014-2022, then transitioned to Pamlico County High School from 2022-2024, and then returned to Fred A. Anderson Elementary School in the spring of 2024.  I feel truly honored to have your child during the day and will treat them with the same consideration as I do my own. 
 
I look forward to getting to know you and your child during the 2024-2025 school year!
 
You will receive a Student Emergency Information form that gives me vital
information in managing your child’s health. If your child’s health in any way changes
during the year, please let me know. This also provides me with the information on how to
reach you if your child becomes ill or injured.

School Nurse Homepage_________________________________________________

 
NC HEALTH ASSESSMENT
NC State law § 130A-440 requires that every child entering public schools for the first time in N.C. receive a health assessment.  The assessment must occur no earlier than the 12-month period prior to entering school. The medical provider, parent, and/or guardian must provide a completed health assessment transmittal form to the school within 30 calendar days of the child's first day of attendance, or your child will be excluded from school and will not be allowed to return until proof is presented, as required by law. 
 

UP-TO-DATE IMMUNIZATION RECORD

NC State law § 130A-152 and § 130A-155  requires immunizations for every child present in this state. Every parent, guardian, or person in loco parentis is responsible for ensuring that their child receives required immunizations.  Proof of North Carolina Vaccine-Specific requirements for K-12 School must be submitted to the school within 30 calendar days of the child's first day of attendance, or your child will be excluded from school and will not be allowed to return until proof is presented, as required by law. 

 
Your child can receive a health assessment and/or the required vaccines at
a participating local health department or at your doctor’s office.
 

N.C. Exemptions:
North Carolina law provides for only two types of exemptions from required immunizations. These are medical and religious. If your child has a medical or religious exemption to this vaccine(s), then you are required to provide documentation of this exemption(s). 

 

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Please make every effort to give your child's medication at home.  Our school has a written policy to assure the safe administration of medication to students during the school day. If your child must have medication of any type given during school hours, including over-the-counter drugs, you have the following choices:
  1. You (or your adult designee) may come to school and give the medication to your child at the appropriate time(s). 
  2. You may obtain a copy of the medication form from the school nurse, or print the Authorization of Medication Form. Take this form to your child's doctor and have him/her complete the form by listing medication(s) needed, dosage, and number of times per day the medication is to be administered. The form must be completed by the doctor for both prescription and over-the-counter drugs. The form must be signed by the doctor and you, the parent, or guardian. Prescription medications must be brought to school in a pharmacy-labeled bottle which contains instructions on how and when the medication is to be given. Over-the-counter drugs must be received in the original container and will be administered according to the doctor's written instructions.
  3. You may discuss an alternative schedule for administering medications with your child's doctor.

Students are NOT to transport medication to or from school.

An adult must bring the medication to the school office and sign it in/out.

 

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The Medical Statement for Students with Unique Mealtime Needs for School Meals  helps schools provide meal modifications for students who require them. Schools cannot change food textures, make food substitutions, or alter a student's diet at school without proper documentation from the healthcare provider
 

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It is important for the health of all students, faculty, and staff that your child does not attend school when he/she is ill.  If you have any questions or concerns about your child's illness, please call the school nurse or your licensed healthcare provider. 

Below are some examples of reasons to stay home:

1) If your child is diagnosed with COVID-19, please keep your child home until they are fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications. 

2) If your child is running a fever, please keep your child home until they are fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications. 

3) If your child is vomiting or has diarrhea, please keep him/her at home until 24 hours after the last episode of vomiting or diarrhea.  

4) If your child has a rash or lesion of unknown reason, he/she should be evaluated by a licensed health care provider before returning to school.  Inform the school nurse.  Please provide written documentation to the school nurse from the licensed healthcare provider indicating that your child has been cleared to return to school.

5) Open sores with or without drainage should always be covered.  If you suspect staph infection, please have your child evaluated by a licensed health care provider indicating that your child may return to school.

6) Red or pink eyes, with complaints of itching, pain, watering, drainage or crusting should be evaluated by a licensed healthcare provider.  The child may return 24 hours after the start of antibiotics with a doctor's note.  Pink eye (conjunctivitis) is highly contagious. 

7) If your child has chicken pox, he/she may return to school after clearance from the licensed health care provider and when the blisters are dried and scabbed over (5-10 days after onset).  Please call the school nurse informing her as soon as possible once a diagnosis is made.

8) If your child has a suspected concussion. Medical clearance is necessary prior to returning to learn/play.  Concussion Guidelines

 

If you have any medical questions or concerns please contact the school nurse.

 

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  • Help your student monitor their health.  
  • Stay home when sick with fever.  You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
  • Avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth.  Germs can be picked up by our hands and get into the body through mucous membranes on the face.  
  • Cover coughs and sneezes. Use a tissue to cover coughs and sneezes, then dispose of the tissue. When a tissue is not available, cough or sneeze into your elbow.
  • Avoid sharing objects with other students, including water bottles, devices, writing instruments, and books.
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces or objects. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill.
  • Wash hands for 20 seconds. Washing hands often under clean, running water can help prevent the spread of germs. For more guidance see the CDC: When and How to Wash Your Hands. If you cannot wash your hands, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60-95% alcohol.
  • Well-Visit follow ups.  Vaccinations are an important tool to help stop the spread of disease.  COVID-19 vaccines are now available for individuals 6 months old and above.

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School Nurse
Local Health Resources:
 
NCDHHS
988
988 Is Now Live!
 
988 offers 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing mental health-related distress.  That could be:
 
  • Thoughts of suicide
  • Mental health or substance use crisis
  • Any other kind of emotional distress
 
People can call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org for themselves or if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.  988 serves as a universal entry point so that no matter where you live in the United States, you can reach a trained crisis counselor who can help.
 
The basics about 988 in English and Spanish 
Free Smart Thermometer
How to set up your Kinsa and more information