March 2025

Vol. 4, Issue 3

We have almost made it through the winter, and spring is just around the corner. We know taking care of your students requires hard work and dedication every single day. Hang in there, school nurse friends, Spring Break is near! We hope you will be able to use that time to relax and enjoy some time for yourself so you can finish the school year strong. On behalf of everyone at Children’s of Alabama, thank you for the work that you do every day to care for your students - you

are the heart of our schools - the true pot of gold!

The Monthly Spotlight

Traumatic Brain Injury

Because March is Brain Injury Awareness Month, we wanted to take this time to highlight traumatic brain injuries (TBI). TBI's refer to damage to the brain caused by an external physical force - this can be due to a fall, sports-related injury, motor vehicle crash, etc.¹There are 3 main types of TBI's: Mild, Moderate, and Severe.²One type of TBI that you may be most familiar with in the school setting is a concussion - a mild TBI.³Common symptoms of concussion can include headache, confusion, and difficulty paying attention.⁴It's important to note that loss of consciousness does not always occur with a concussion, as fewer than 10% of cases actually result in loss of consciousness.³The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that as many as half a million children each year are seen in the emergency department for traumatic brain injuries in the U.S.³ For more information on concussions, you can view our recorded Concussion Update from our School Nurse Workshop, or download the slides at myschoolnurse.net.

Congratulations on your Retirement, Ginger!

Our team would be remiss if we did not take this opportunity to pay homage to our School Nurse Liaison, Ginger Parsons. Many of you have had the opportunity to get to know Ginger throughout her career at Children’s of Alabama, so you know what an asset she has been to our team. Though Ginger has worn many hats during her career, she has spent the past 16 years serving as the School Nurse Liaison. In this role, she has organized 47 School Nurse Workshops, 12 School Nurse Spotlights, and countless Skills Workshops. She had a vision of creating a newsletter designed specifically for school nurses, which is what you all are reading today – The Pulse. There are truly not enough words to express how appreciative we are for Ginger – the impact she has had on the lives of others over the past 40 years is truly immeasurable.

Congratulations on your retirement, Ginger, we wish you all the best in your next chapter!

The Health Education and Safety Center

A Message from Ginger

At the heart of the school is the school nurse. Your compassion and love is often the BEST medicine for your students. It has been my joy and privilege to work as the School Nurse Liaison for the past 16 years. What an honor it has been to partner with school nurses across the state, as we all strive to bring the best care to the children. I am retiring after 40 years at Children's of Alabama on March 7.

I wish you well in your career, and will think of you often and fondly, while remembering all the love and support you have shown to me as well.

With deepest appreciation,

Ginger Parsons, BSN, CPN

Though Ginger will no longer be your point of contact, Children's of Alabama is still here for you. Please reach out to us via email at myschoolnurse@childrensal.org.

Tuesday Tidbits

Did you know...

March 14th is Pi Day!

Do you know what pi is equal to?

United States Census Bureau - Pi Day

School Nurse Recess

Resource: American Heart Association - Self-care isn't selfish

Need help educating your students and parents?

Check out KidsHealth

NEW Back-to-School Center
Printable resources with advice on children's health, behavior, and growth from before birth through the teenage years
Information on a variety of topics including how the body works, homework help, and more
Approved by doctors, and has separate sections written specifically for parents, teens, and kids

Inside Pediatrics

Inside Pediatrics is a free monthly podcast series featuring specialists at Children’s of Alabama and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). Episodes cover topics related to child health and wellness, research and treatment, and frequently complement articles appearing in Inside Pediatrics magazine.