Schools
New Nurse for RHS
Lori O'Donnell leaving after eight years; her replacement says she has 'big shoes to fill.'
There's a changing of the guard of sorts going on at Rosemount High School this week, as longtime school nurse Lori O'Donnell will be turning the reins over to Jenny Dwyer.
“I've been here eight years,” said O'Donnell, whose last day on the job is today. “I'm really going to miss it. We have the best students at Rosemount. I will miss the kids, and also the staff. There are 200 people; it's a real family here.”
O'Donnell's husband recently accepted a position in Chicago, so the couple—originally from Madison, WI—will be moving there soon.
Find out what's happening in Apple Valley-Rosemountfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“We weren't looking, but a job opportunity came looking for him,” she said. “So we're going to be living in downtown Chicago.
“We raised our kids here, and had three children graduate from Rosemount. Our youngest graduated last year.”
Find out what's happening in Apple Valley-Rosemountfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
O'Donnell said the move will allow them to be closer to their parents, as well as their children, who now all live in Wisconsin.
“It was fun to come to work every day here,” she said. “Every day, I was never bored for a minute.”
Dwyer, who started work at the school last week, grew up in Burnsville and currently lives in Northfield, where she worked before accepting the position at RHS.
“I was looking into getting into a high school,” she said. “I really like that student population.
“This is a good career move, going into a district that's more funded and where there are more opportunities. I've heard wonderful things.”
Dwyer said she got into nursing in large part due to a bad experience she had with a nurse when she was young.
“When I was very young I had to have a procedure done, and I remember having a conversation with my mom and telling her that the world needs better nurses,” Dwyer said. “I was about 9.”
Dwyer spent three days working at the school, and worked with O'Donnell for a couple more days this week to get acclimated.
“I'm very excited,” Dwyer said. “The students are great. The staff is warm and welcoming. I think Lori has done and outstanding job, so I've got big shoes to fill.
“I'm looking forward to that challenge.”
