Maria Mancino
Maria Mancino started as the new school nurse at Genet Elementary School last week, succeeding Meg Condo.
Mrs. Mancino is a registered nurse with experience working in schools and at hospitals. She earned her nursing degree at Russell Sage College and lives in East Greenbush with her husband and two children.
We sat down with Mrs. Mancino earlier today to discuss her role and responsibilities at Genet.
Q: How is the job going so far?
A: So far so good. It’s been a great first few days.
Q: How long have you been a registered nurse?
A: I have been a nurse for eight years.
Q: Where have you worked as a nurse?
A: The last three years I worked as a school nurse at Kipp Tech Primary School in Albany.
I started my career in the CCU/ICU over at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany. Then I did travel nursing for about a year and a half. So I traveled all over the country working in Texas, Nevada, California. Then I came home, got married, and worked for CVS doing home infusion services. And then I switched over to school nursing.
Q: And why did you switch to school nursing?
A: I’ve always loved kids. When I was in school myself, I thought about being a teacher. I have always loved helping people and I’ve always been the kind of person who jumps in when something is going wrong or there’s a need.
My grandmother was sick when I was at the end of high school and going into college, and I was her caregiver for a while, so I thought nursing was a good role for me. She was a nurse so that inspired me.
Q: What are your job duties as a school nurse?
A: I am the primary person who cares for the health and wellness of students. Making sure they have physicals and screenings; managing medications so kids who have daily medications, giving them their meds or if they have as needed medicines; tracking and managing health conditions such as allergies; and then your sick visits so when kids are not feeling well or they get injured, assessing, treating and notifying parents; all of the follow-up behind the scenes for existing and longer lasting medical conditions.
Q: Why did you want this job at Genet?
A: I live in the district. My kids will eventually go to school in East Greenbush. They turn 3 and 1 this month. So I wanted to be in the district where they are going to go to school. I think it’s a gift to be in your home community. I am very invested in this community. I love East Greenbush.
Q: What are you most looking forward to in this role?
A: I just love the community feel that’s here. Just getting to know the kids and building those relationships.