Peggy Shipley

Bald Eagle Elementary School district nurse Peggy Shipley, MSN, RN, packs up to head to Wingate Elementary from Port Matilda Elementary School.
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Bald Eagle Elementary School district nurse Peggy Shipley, MSN, RN, packs up to head to Wingate Elementary from Port Matilda Elementary School.
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PORT MATILDA -- Peggy Shipley's day begins by administering insulin shots, handing out medication and helping diabetic students monitor their blood sugar levels.

Then come the bloody lips, loose teeth, fevers and more insulin shots.

By lunchtime, she's driving about 16 miles from Port Matilda Elementary School to Wingate Elementary, where she finds four students waiting.Then, her routine begins all over again.

Shipley is the nurse responsible for providing health services to 990 students in Bald Eagle Area School District's four elementary schools.She's aided by one EMT-certified assistant.

Shipley says she sees 60 to 70 students daily -- along with carrying out state-mandated health screenings; working with teachers, parents and school officials to address students' specific health needs; filling out paperwork; and teaching health classes in the four schools.

Increasing student needs

A state organization for school nurses and at least one state legislator say she is doing too much.
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At Bald Eagle Area, Shipley has arranged for many staffers to take first aid courses -- necessary, she said, in a district where it may take up to 40 minutes to travel between elementary schools.

"The health needs have increased, but staffing has not.With four buildings, it can get very busy," Shipley said."I think the kids in this district get great health care because of the team approach we have.Someone is always available to fill in until I can get where I'm needed."

"Without a doubt, she (Shipley) has a busy shift," said BEA Superintendent Daniel Fisher, who also said the district meets state requirements.

Peggy Shipley - pshipley@beasd.org