A new health policy regarding nurse visits that requires students to make appointments prior to seeing the nurse was introduced for the 2025-26 school year. Previously, drop-ins were the protocol for visiting School Nurse and Campus Healthcare Provider Myra Mercado. This system often led to multiple students crowding the office, at times even as many as 10 at once.
“The standard of care I aim to provide my students was being compromised,” Mercado said. “I want to take the time to fully understand what’s going on, what the issue is, how I can best provide treatment and, ultimately, have more meaningful one-on-one interactions with students. Unfortunately, that was difficult to do with the daily frequent drop-ins.”
The appointment system was proposed to Mercado just two weeks before the beginning of this school year, following her requests for more efficient protocols. Now if students need to visit the nurse, they have to schedule an appointment on Mercado’s calendar beforehand.
“One-on-one time allows for greater privacy and supports higher-quality nursing care, as it provides a private space where students can openly discuss their concerns,” Mercado said.
While Mercado has felt the benefits from the new change, student opinions have varied due to misunderstandings surrounding the policy. One frequent concern from students is regarding menstrual cramps and pain. In recent years, students could drop by the nurse’s office to receive Tylenol or Advil. However, many students are now concerned that they will not be able to access these resources as easily with the new scheduling system. Mercado responded by implementing the “SOS Station,” which includes alternatives to help with cramps, such as heating pads and tea. Students also have the option to receive Tylenol at the division offices.
One of Mercado’s goals for this new system is to help students become more independent regarding their health. Mercado believes that learning how to care for one’s health is a vital life skill, and she seeks to act as an educational resource for students developing that ability.
The new health policy is still in a trial and error stage. Mercado and Director of Eduction and Counseling Services Morgan Duggan are working with the divisional offices to develop the most efficient way to care for students and staculty.
“We’ve been working toward improving the system, though with much of the planning happening later in August, there are still some areas we’re fine-tuning,” Mercado says. “It’s the first semester, and I’m confident we’ll be able to work through these challenges”
