Eleanor M. Butler, MS, RN

1. What inspired you to become a nurse?
My mother was a nurse. My dad had diabetes when I was a child. I would see him give himself injections every morning and evening. I thought that if I became a nurse I could help him.

2. What are your specialties, and how did you get there?
I was the chief physiotherapist in Nassau, Bahamas. In 1980 I arrived in the United States and earned a B.S. in physical therapy from Sargent College at Boston University. I went on to the nursing program at Boston University. My specialty now is school nursing and public health. I was a Sunday school teacher. I enjoyed working with schoolchildren. Interaction with children came natural for me. They are usually so truthful and so real.

When I moved to New York City, I cared for children with special needs through my work with the Department of Education. The special needs children required tube feedings, tracheal feedings, lived on respirators, or needed glucose monitoring. They required medical assistance and medication to sustain them throughout the day.

I eventually became a supervisor with the Department of Education, which was very challenging, but rewarding. Then I became the District 1 supervisor with the Department of Health. It's my responsibility to monitor the health care of 13,000 children in the district, ensuring there are physical records and appropriate immunizations on file. I also monitor and manage outbreaks of infections and diseases. It takes coordination to evaluate the situation and determine how it should be handled within the district.

3. What do you like best about working in the nursing field?
It's a rewarding profession. When a student comes to you with an illness, you take care of it. When they return another day in better health, then it's rewarding. We show students how to best help themselves; teaching is an integral part of what we do.

A school nurse has to be a caring person, willing to take care of others and able to teach. You have to be involved with the students' families. There's a lot going on in school nursing. You not only take care of the children when they are ill or when they need their medications, you have to understand their psychosocial issues and needs as well. In the inner city environment, our students come to school with many different issues. Our nurses need patience to bear with the students, talk them through their problems and find out the real issues. School nurses are role models to students. Students look forward to seeing the school nurse when they aren't feeling right or just need someone to talk to. We take the time to stop, smile and really listen to their health needs.

4. What, if any, barriers have you had to overcome?
In New York City, school nurses work for both the Department of Education and Department of Health. Because I have worked for both departments, I have been able to understand the policies from both departments and have been able to work cooperatively with staff from both departments. We're all working for the health of our children.

5. Do you have a personal story you¹d like to share?
There was a child who stopped by the nurse's suite every morning. The nurse would ask how she was feeling, but she never really talked about much. After a period of time, the child started to become comfortable and communicate with the nurse. We discovered that there was a child who had some issues at home. The student was able to confide in the nurse. That's why it is so important to listen to what our children have to say.

6. What are your most proud accomplishments?
When I was the chief physiotherapist in the Bahamas, I was able to lead a pilot study, which brought physical therapy into homes. That was in 1978, similar to the concept of visiting nurses, but with physical therapists. It was difficult for many of our patients to leave the house. We were able to go to their homes and enable them to become more independent. The program is still around today.

7. What are your plans for the future?
I would like to work in a clinic and care for adult patients, particularly in the area of hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

8. What words of wisdom do you have for a student just graduating?
Consider exploring school nursing in your rotation. Nursing is a very helping profession, people oriented. When you have a caring, outgoing personality, you can really help someone.

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