Mrs. Debbie Pontius, MSN, RN, NCSN

My name is Debbie Pontius and I am the Health Services Coordinator and School Nurse for Pershing County School District. 

It is my job to make sure each child is in the best possible health to learn. 

Healthy children learn better!

I am a registered nurse with a master's degree in nursing.  I am certified by the Nevada Department of Education as a School Nurse.  I am also a Nationally Certified School Nurse (NCSN)

I am have just completed a 4 year term as the Nevada representative on the National Board of Directors for the National Association of School Nurses (NASN), as well as a two year tearm on the NASN Executive Committee.  I continue to serve on several national NASN committees.  I continue to be a member of the board of directors of the Nevada State Association of School Nurses (NSASN).

Contact me here

SERVICES

•Nursing tasks: I help with students who have immediate or long term health problems.  My job is to improve student health for the best learning.  Children who can see, hear and are not sick learn better. I Also help students in learning and using skills needed to manage their own health. For example, I help children with diabetes test their blood, give medicines including breathing treatments, take care of wounds or any other special proceudres a doctor may order.

•Individual Health Plans: Even though my main job is to keep children healthy, in today's world it includes managing health problems that once kept children out of school. The school nurse may create Individual Health Plans (IHP's) for children with special health care or help needed during the school day. Please tell the nurse of any medical needs your child may have.

•Health education: I teach about health in a variety of ways.  I teach about human reproduction in 4th and 5th grade, and about many different diseases and ways to stay health to all grades.  Sometimes I teach to a whole class, and sometimes one-on-one with a student.

•Monitoring health & safety: I also watch out for health & safety issues within the building, district, and  community, and I work between the physician, school, community & home.

•Medicine Administration: Click here to find the PCSD policy/rules and forms about students taking medicine at school..  

•Screening Programs: I check vision, hearing, scoliosis (sideways curve of the back) and growth screenings as required by law.  For more information, click here.