When I walked into the Health Office, Ms. Lorena Beltran, the new Westridge nurse, was helping two Lower Schoolers. I sat in an office chair across from her and watched as she spoke softly and gave them clear instructions. She waited patiently and made sure they understood. Behind her, she had pinned several photos of her past students, pets, family, and even her Greek certificate on the wall. As the students left the office, she smiled and sat back a little in her chair. I could tell that she was happy to be here.
“I always knew I wanted to work with kids,” Ms. Beltran said. She was a behavioral therapist before she studied at West Coast University for her bachelor’s degree in nursing. Her sister convinced her to enter nursing because of the many opportunities in the field. At first, Ms. Beltran considered pediatrics but changed her mind when she heard about the nurse’s position opening at Westridge. Ms. Beltran cheerfully explained how she couldn’t resist when she heard about the position opening up. She said, “I love working closely with kids and creating relationships with them… it’s important. I know that I can be very involved, it’s where I want to be.”
Throughout the interview, I noticed how often she mentioned kids and students. She told me that making a connection with the students is the most important part for her. Ms. Beltran’s care for the students is not only reflected in her words but also in her actions. “I feel like everybody just welcomed and supported me,” she said. Little did she know, she was returning the favor by making students feel loved and supported.
It is clear that Ms. Beltran is passionate about nursing and cares about students. The last thing she told me was, “ I can make an impact on these kids. Whether it’s just for support or actual medication for a headache, I feel like being able to help and make a difference in the students’ lives.”
