May 6, 2020
School nurses are an important part of the Spud team. They make sure our students are healthy and have a safe place to go when they don’t feel well. They also work closely with other Spud staff to ensure students have the support they need when overcoming physical and mental health conditions as well as societal issues, such as living in poverty.
On National School Nurse Day, we are excited to highlight the amazing individuals that make up our Spud nurse team.
Natasha Brunell
Natasha has been a Registered Nurse for almost nine years. She floats between Robert Asp, S.G. Reinertsen, Probstfield, and Ellen Hopkins elementary schools. School nursing and working with children has been a dream and passion for Natasha. “When I got this position, I was over the moon. Over five years later, I am still loving it and very grateful to be here,” she says.
Natasha received her Bachelors in Nursing from North Dakota State University in 2011 and her Master’s in Nursing from Western Governors University this past winter. Prior to becoming a Licensed School Nurse, Natasha worked in the Children’s Hospital at Sanford. “As a Licensed School Nurse, there are so many different things that come up on a daily basis and there is always room to grow and learn,” she says. “There are a lot of happy moments that make it such a rewarding job, like figuring out that a child needs glasses or hearing aids from a screening that you performed.”
Natasha lives on a farm in Mapleton, N.D., with her husband, Jason, and their spunky Pomeranian, Honey. This is her favorite time of year, so you can find her outside enjoying the deck, working in the yard or at the lake with her family.
Missy Jacobson
Missy has worked for the district since 2008 as a Licensed School Nurse and is currently the nurse at Horizon East, Horizon West, and two private schools in Moorhead. “My favorite part of being a school nurse is being able to help students be their best and get the most out of their education despite any medical or emotional obstacles that they may be facing.”
She received her Bachelors in Nursing from Dickinson State University and Master’s in Nursing from the University of Mary. Prior to being a school nurse Missy worked in both inpatient and outpatient child/adolescent/adult psychiatry, hospice and a residential treatment center for emotional and behavioral disturbed adolescents. Missy has three children Shelby, Chase and Mayzee who keep her busy when she is not at work. She also enjoys time at the lake, sewing, reading and walking with her sweet lab Maggie.
Jill Roaldson
Jill joined the Moorhead School District in 2016, primarily serving Dorothy Dodds Elementary, Moorhead High School, and Red River Alternative Learning Center. “I always knew I wanted to be a nurse. I can’t imagine myself doing anything different!” Jill received her Bachelors in Nursing from Concordia College in 2004. After graduation she worked as a Registered Nurse at Prairie St. John’s for two years, then went on to work at Sanford Children’s Hospital in Pediatrics for ten years.
Jill has been married to her husband, Lucas for 14 years. They have three daughters, Olivia, Macy, and Adrienne who all attend school in Moorhead. They also have a 14 year-old chocolate lab who still acts like a puppy. In the Spring, Jill coaches the Moorhead Girls Golf team. In her spare time she loves spending time with her family, playing golf, swimming, doing projects around the house and being outside. She also enjoys watching her girls swim competitively all year round. Her happy place is anywhere by sun and water.