Sandy Harvey didn’t start her nursing career as a school nurse, but it’s how she finished it…and she enjoyed many other experiences in between.
Harvey said she has known she wanted to be a nurse since she was only 12-years-old. In 1981 she achieved that dream, graduating from Iowa Central Community College. She spent her nursing career working at a variety of “rewarding and diverse” jobs. She worked in the hospital atmosphere, a nursing home, did private home nursing, as well as spending time with an ENT doctor’s office. The last 14 years prior to coming to Eagle Grove she spent at a urology office in Fort Dodge. Then she decided it was time for one final adventure in her career.
“I decided I wanted to try school nursing as my final area before I retired,” she said. “They have all offered areas of growth, career challenges, and rewards.”
Harvey came to Eagle Grove in the 2013 – 2014 school year, taking on the full load of being the Preschool-12th grade nurse. In 2017-2018, she became the Middle School and High School Nurse when they hired a separate elementary nurse.
“The most rewarding part of school nursing? There are many. I like when the kids come to me smiling to just say ‘Hi.’ I like when the kids come to me when they are mentally or physically ill or injured and know that I can help them. I like when they come back to me and tell me they are better. I liked when the staff felt that they could come to me to help solve a problem for the students or themselves. I am very blessed to have met and been touched by many of the students and staff,” said Harvey.
But Harvey has decided it’s time to take on yet another career role – retiree.
“I decided it was okay to retire when, due again to the COVID, Mike (my husband) and I didn’t kill each other with the enforced house time,” Harvey noted lightheartedly. “He has been retired for several years and has been asking how long I was going to continue working full time.”
Although she said she will miss coming into the schools and talking with students and staff, Harvey is ready for retirement and new adventures. She admits that she will probably have to adjust how she originally thought she would spend her free time due to the COVID-19 outbreak until there is a vaccine, but when it’s safer to be out, she has things to do.
“I plan to travel and have more time to spend with my husband and 13 grandkids. The oldest is going to be a freshman in South Dakota and plays basketball. I’m sure between him and the others, I will be going to some ball games,” she said.
As she heads off into retirement, Harvey reflected back on the caring atmosphere at the school and the support they had for each other.
“I hope with all the upheaval and changes that our society has had to go through and how it will impact the future of how we do things will not hinder, but strengthen us. When we have a solid foundation- doing the recommended steps; covering your nose and mouth, washing hands, distancing, staying home if sick, and checking on one another- we can become stronger and safer,” she said.
