Every new job comes with struggles, but Hazelwood West High School, Nurse Brittani, is overcoming them while making students feel comfortable and safe through genuine care for their health.
Brittani is new to Hazelwood West High School, but that hasn’t stopped her from being exemplary. It’s only been four months, but she’s already saved a student’s life, all because she cared enough to look.
“I care because it matters for me as a human being to connect with those I’m around, regardless of age or who you are. It doesn’t matter to me. I very much am a human who kinda thrives on that: creating a connection with another human being. I also think that’s part of being a human being. Connecting with other people; it’s something we desire.” Brittani said.
Being new, she has had to build connections with students and her fellow nurses. She enjoys building relationships because that is just who she is.
“It gives me more life to connect with other human beings…It’s good for my mental health. My emotional health. My health in every aspect, personally. It helps me feel alive when I’m connecting with other humans.” Brittani said.
Being new comes with challenges, though. The biggest struggle is having to see someone she’s connected with disregard their health.
“As a nurse, it’s very difficult to watch other humans not want to help themselves…As a high school student, you’re learning your place in the world and how you wanna show up, so some students that you come into contact with might be choosing defiance against wanting to take care of their health, and whether it’s something really simple or something complex.” Brittani said.
Through the struggle, though, she has learned that acceptance and continuing to educate regardless is the best way for her to deal with it.
“I can’t want something for you more than you want it for yourself, so I have to accept that it’s your responsibility. By the end of the day, as long as I’ve done my job to educate you and help you understand, if you still choose to care for yourself, that may not be best for your health; that’s on you. I can’t take that home with me,” Brittani said.
Before coming to Hazelwood, Brittani worked at Orchard Farms, where she worked with younger children. Once in Hazelwood, though, she became a float nurse who went anywhere she was needed. Her days were spontaneous as she might be needed somewhere in the morning, then somewhere else in the afternoon. This didn’t allow for the connection she now has here at West.
“I love the stability of being here every day, but…my favorite part of being here is being able to be here with the students who have the ability to comprehend health education,” Brittani said.
