Richland School District One recognizes National Nurses Week: honors school nurses on National School Nurse Day

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - Jacqueline Pitt of Crayton Middle School and Suzonne Williams of John P. Thomas Elementary School were surprised with the DAISY Award at their respective schools on Tuesday.

With Wednesday being National School Nurse Day, it was only fitting to have both award honorees and their efforts recognized at a special luncheon.

“These were nurses that were dedicated,” said Eunice Jones, the Nursing Coordinator for Richland School District One.

The DAISY Award was created to recognize nurses for their compassionate care in their field of service.

During the 2023-2024 school year, Richland One became the first school district in the Palmetto State and the second school district in the country to offer these awards to their school nurses.

Four other nurses were selected as award nominees alongside Jacqueline Pitt and Suzonne Williams, who were surprised with a trophy Tuesday.

All six nurses were recognized for their hard work over the years and how they persevered through the COVID-19 pandemic.

“They didn’t change; they continued their same practices within their ability through COVID,” Jones said, “COVID didn’t change them, they adapted and COVID had to adapt to them.”

Williams first got the passion to take up nursing when she was in the 9th grade, after helping take care of her mother who had fallen ill. While she didn’t like seeing her mom sick, she enjoyed taking care of her and making sure she was alright.

This, along with watching how other nurses care for her pushed Williams to fall in love with providing that same care for others in the same way as she looked out for her mom.

“I fell in love with (wanting) to provide care for others, just being there by her bedside,” Willaims said, “Seeing the other nurses and the way that they cared for her (made me realize that’s) what I want to do.”

After graduating with a degree from Lander in nursing, Williams worked in newborn & pediatric care for roughly eight years. In 2007, Williams would eventually move into school nursing, now helping the kids at John P. Thomas Elementary School stay healthy.

She recalls working during the pandemic and the challenges it posed.

“With that, you decide who you need to exclude and make sure they stay out the times they need to,” Williams said, “When I say it was challenging, it was a time when school nurses were really needed.”

Jacqueline Pitt says she’s always had a love for helping others, finding her passion for nursing at roughly 9-years-old. She did this while taking care of her younger brother and mom, who was also a nursing assistant.

Pitt would go on to travel the world with her husband who was in the military, eventually going back home to get her degree at Columbus State University in Georgia. She did that while working in a variety of different medical fields.

After stepping away from nursing for a few years, Pitt found in 2013 that Crayton Middle School called her back to her passion.

“I had been out of nursing for about five years, and I missed it,” Pitt said, “I had a neighbor that was an assistant principal at Crighton Middle School; that’s when I applied, and I’ve been here ever since.”

Also working through the pandemic, Pitt says her job has come with a lot of responsibility. She was honored to have her hard work get the recognition it deserved.

“We wear many hats,” Pitt said, “I’m very honored to have this (award).”

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