New Nursing Team a Shot in the Arm for Student Care

Sarah Barrett, South Milwaukee’s new District Nurse, went into nursing after caring for her grandfather after a stroke.

For Meghan Nellen, the Middle and High School nurse, public service and the medical field is the family business. Both though, were drawn to working with children after working with all types of patients and realizing how much they enjoyed it. 

“I loved working with kids of all ages in the pediatric emergency room,” Barrett, who spent seven years as an ER nurse at Children’s Wisconsin, said. “I felt it was time to learn a new role that allowed me to still work with kids, but on a different level.” 

Nellen, who worked at Froedtert Hospital, realized how much she enjoyed working with children while volunteering at a summer camp for children with heart problems. 

“I was so much happier working with kids than with adults,” she said. 

Both are registered nurses, and Barrett is a certified trauma nurse with a certification in Pediatric Advanced Life Support. Both are excited about their new positions in South Milwaukee while acknowledging the work they have in front of them. 

“Sarah and I have been working hard on documenting immunizations for the school and promoting the importance of health care plans. We want to make sure students with medical conditions can be in class just like students without medical conditions and we want to keep students in class by ensuring they have the proper vaccines,” Nellen said.

Barrett is looking forward to forming relationships with students.

“Something I always loved while working in the ER, was getting to know the families I cared for and building relationships with them. Working as a nurse in the schools, I get to watch students grow throughout the years and eventually thrive into adulthood. How awesome is that?!”

Reach Sarah Barrett sbarrett@sdsm.k12.wi.us

Reach Meghan Nellen mnellen@sdsm.k12.wi.us