Lauren Huissen grew up in Fremont, a small town on the west side of Michigan. Her father is a retired 5th grade teacher and my Mom was a social worker turned stay-at-home mom and part-time piano teacher. She attended the University of Michigan School of Nursing and started her nursing career at Mott Children’s Hospital on the pediatric cardiology floor. After a couple of years there, she became a school nurse at Pioneer High School.
Pioneer High School Social Worker Jonathan Stern says Huissen “personifies what is best about school nurses.”
“The safety and care she provides for students and staff is exceptional and so she is a greatly valued member of the Pioneer community,” says Stern. “Part of it all is the persistently positive attitude and affect that Lauren brings with her to school each day. It makes her that much more accessible.”
Huissen is part of an amazing team of nurses at AAPS, says Mary Delis, school nurse at Slauson Middle School and Wines Elementary.
“I admire Lauren for many things: her attention to detail, her ability to answer any tech-related questions I have, her organized and tidy clinic, but most importantly, Lauren has a heart of gold,” says Delis. “It’s a big job managing all of the health needs of the largest school in AAPS, but Lauren has been excellent since Day One. I know the Pioneer students and staff love having her as part of the team just as much as the AAPS Nurse Team does.”
Huissen lives in Ann Arbor with her cat, Franklin. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, coaching Pioneer Volleyball, volunteering with Young Life, attending Michigan sporting events, and knitting.
Why did you pursue a career in nursing?
From a young age, I was interested in the medical field. In high school, I was able to do a nursing internship, and the blend of science and medicine with relationally caring for a patient and their family during difficult times quickly drew me in.
With all the directions you could have taken, why did you become a school nurse?
Before I started my career at Mott Children’s Hospital, I had the opportunity to be a summer camp nurse. I loved that as I cared for the campers and their various health conditions, I could also see them laughing, interacting with peers, and enjoying a quintessential childhood. When I decided to transition from the hospital, I wanted my next job to capture elements of the time I spent at camp. Being a school nurse allows me to develop relationships with students over the course of four years, rather than short hospitalizations, and provides me with the opportunity to help them optimize their health while they participate in academics, athletics, performing arts, and other activities.
Describe an average workday.
No two days are alike in the clinic, but the average day consists of treating general clinic traffic such as illness, first aid, medication administration, and diabetic care. There are also days when I am frequently called to various parts of the building to treat emergencies. Staff training, immunization follow-up, and 504/IEP meetings also fill up my calendar.
Why did you want to work for Ann Arbor Public Schools?
I love the city of Ann Arbor and knew I wanted to work in a public school system when I started looking for a school nurse position. To be able to live and work within the same city and school system, full of opportunities for growth, is what led me to AAPS.
What’s the first thing people say when you say you’re a school nurse?
“I didn’t know schools had nurses. Must be nice to have your summer’s off!”
What do you like about working at Pioneer specifically?
Pioneer has a history of excellence and, in some ways, is a pillar of Ann Arbor. There is a diverse population of students and staff. Pioneer challenges students to be their best selves and I like being a part of that.
What don’t people realize about the work of a school nurse?
School nursing is much more than band-aids and ice. There is a tremendous amount of assessment, evaluation, and work required to keep students and staff healthy and in school. School nurses are the frontline and experts on health and wellness in the building. They fill a major role in a student’s physical and emotional support team and often bridge the gap between school and home.
What’s the happiest part of your day?
One of the happiest parts of my day is at 7:45 a.m. A student checks in with me almost every day on their way to first hour. Whether it is to tell me about an upcoming test that day, to grab a couple of saltine crackers from my bowl, or to just say hi, it starts my morning on a bright note.
Favorite podcasts, websites, apps:
Etsy, Instagram, Pinterest, Amazon.
What are you reading right now?
“American Dirt” by Jeanine Cummins.
What are your three favorite books?
“Pride and Prejudice,” “Little Women,” and “All the Light We Cannot See.”
Who is your favorite character in literature?
Marmee March of “Little Women.”
What have you changed your mind about recently?
I recently changed my mind about Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving. My tree and decorations were up by the first week of November. I do wait until after Thanksgiving for Christmas music!
What’s the best compliment anyone could give you?
The best compliment someone could give me is that I create a space for them to belong. That those around me feel recognized, known, and loved. That I bring light to their life and that they would be inspired to do the same for others.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
There is a vulnerability when you are ill or seeking medical advice. Being trusted to care for and walk alongside students and staff when they may not be at their best is the most rewarding part. To create a safe, welcoming place where students stop by later to just ‘say hi’ and check in because I impacted their school life somehow is the best gift and an honor I don’t take for granted.
What’s the most challenging?
Coming from the hospital setting with a team of doctors, nurses, and other care providers within reach, a challenge of the school setting is having to make critical decisions independently. I am so grateful for the intelligent and supportive team of AAPS nurses, yet in the building, I am required to be knowledgeable about a wide range of health needs and I carry the weight of those decisions in the moment.
How do you spend your summers?
I nanny for a sweet family in Ann Arbor. The summer is also the beginning of volleyball camps and coaching, in preparation for the Fall season. I usually try to get back to the west side of the state to enjoy Lake Michigan and family as well.
What’s most exciting about your professional life right now? Your personal life?
I am currently studying for my National School Nurse Certification with hopes of testing in the Spring.
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