School nurses play a crucial role in ensuring student health and safety, yet students at Torres High School have voiced concerns about long wait times and lack of attention in the nurse’s office. Here’s what students have shared about their experiences with the campus nurse.
According to Nursing CE Central, it’s recommended that schools have one full-time nurse for every 750 students to ensure quick and effective medical assistance. However, students at Torres High School report delays and unhelpful interactions, raising questions about whether their needs are being met. Many students report frustrating experiences in the nurse’s office. ‘It took her an hour to call my parents before I could go to the doctor to get a cast for my broken leg,’ shared Owen Renteria, a senior at ELARA. Similarly, junior Anthony Hidalgo recalled waiting over an hour without being attended to: ‘She was just typing away on her computer. I ended up having to call my own mom because she was taking too long.’ Both suggest a pattern of delayed attention, leaving students feeling overlooked.
Even Journalism staff encountered challenges when attempting to interview the nurse, despite a prior agreement. senior staff members Yuricely Perez and Belen Cerezo reported being ignored for nearly half an hour while waiting to interview for her perspective on these issues. Ultimately, the nurse declined to comment, leaving student concerns unaddressed.
The Torres High School nurse’s responsiveness and attention to students have raised serious concerns among the student body. Addressing these issues could help ensure students receive timely medical care. Clear communication and accountability are key to creating a supportive environment where students feel safe and cared for in times of need.
Belen is a senior at East Los Angeles Renaissance Academy, where she is the Spanish Content Editor for The Vitruvian. Belen enjoys reading and listening to music during her free time. As she enters her last year of high school, she looks forward to growing as a journalist and to the various opportunities and projects that she will encounter.