BLS Nurse Blog
THE NOSE
Humans vs Dogs
The human nose can detect over 50,000 different smells.
Dogs’ sense of smell is 10,000 – 100,000 times stronger than humans!
The dog’s brain area that detects smell is 40 times bigger than humans.
CONFERENCE DAYS
April 16-18 are scheduled work days.
Regular nurses – If you will be taking any flex or personal leave time during this time, please let Michelle and/or Tami know.
No school for elementary and middle schools 4/16 and 4/17.
No school for all schools 4/18.
OSNA
Special Topics Cafe – Wednesday, April 2, 330pm
Comprehensive Sexual Health Education (online)
Sasha Grenier (she/her), Sexuality Education Specialist at the Oregon Department of Education, will present on comprehensive sexuality education as a cornerstone of safe & inclusive schools. She will talk about the importance of sexuality education for healthy relationships, violence prevention and safety, mental and physical health, and overall well-being. In an interactive hour-long presentation, she will cover Oregon requirements and approaches and best practices for instruction.
Register here
SAFETY
DCHS Substance Abuse Overdose Response Briefing 3-21-25
STAFF LOG
Unfortunately, there has been an increasing number of BLS Staff taking extended “breaks” in the bathroom. Due to this misuse of time, beginning April 2, 2025, all staff will be required to complete the following bathroom log and submit to their supervisors with their time sheets every month. (Remember: I am just the messenger.)
STRESS AWARENESS MONTH
April is Stress Awareness Month.
It is an annual observance that began in 1992 by the American Institute of Stress.
Chronic stress can have serious negative effects on both our body and mind. Common issues related to stress can include: headache, GI disorders, anxiety/depression, heart disease, and/or stroke.
According to the American Institute of Stress, “There is no single definition of stress, but the most common explanation is a “physical, mental, or emotional strain or tension.”
Learning to manage stress and discovering healthy ways to handle challenging situations can greatly contribute to living a healthy and positive life.
So what can we do?
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF!!! MAKE YOURSELF A PRIORITY!
Discuss your problems. Talk with a family member, friend, or another trusted source.
Activity – Participate in activities such as exercise, mindfulness, and relaxation techniques. Ensure that you are getting adequate sleep.
Diet – Maintain a healthy, balanced diet. Ensure that you are getting enough fruits, vegetables, and protein!
Boundaries – Set them and keep them!
Recognize when you need more help. If stress and/or anxiety is interfering with your daily life, consider seeking therapy.
Resources
Bend-La Pine Schools Employee Wellness Resources
Central Oregon Behavioral Health Consortium
Emotional Wellness Toolkit – NIH
CALENDAR
| DATE | TIME | EVENT | INFO |
| April 2025 | Stress Awareness Month | ||
| 4/2 | 330 | OSNA Special Topics Café Register here. | Comprehensive Sexual Health Education |
| 4/10 | All day | Purple Up for Military Kids | Show support to our military youth by wearing purple. |
| 4/16 – 4/17 | NO SCHOOL ALL MIDDLE AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS | These are workdays for regular nursing staff. | |
| 4/18 | NO SCHOOL ALL SCHOOLS | This is a workday for regular nursing staff staff. | |
| 4/23 | 2-330 | NURSE MEETING | Location: TBD |
| 5/7 | 2-330 | NURSE MEETING | Location: TBD |
| 5/14 | 6-9PM | TRIVIA NIGHT |
LINKS
Link to Links