Chandler Public Schools

Lacy Long is the school nurse for Chandler Public Schools.  She has been a nurse for eight years, and worked at CPS for four of those.  Lacy is also the HS Pom coach.  She grew up in Stroud and attended the University of Central Oklahoma. 

Q  What led you to nursing?
A  There were a couple experiences that led me to nursing. When I was younger, I had to have an extensive surgery. I don’t remember my nurses names or what they looked like, but I still remember how they made me feel and how much of an impact they made on me and my family. Also, one of my childhood best friends’ mom was a pediatric nurse. There were a few times she would take us up to her unit so we could visit the long term kiddos there. Those kids left a forever imprint on my heart. Going into college, I didn’t know I would pick nursing, but I knew I wanted to work mainly with children in the medical field. 

Q  Did you have any key mentors or people who influenced your decision to work in education?
A  I knew who Diann Herrmann was when I was in high school just a few miles down the road. I have family that went to school in Chandler and was always hearing about the teen programs she was running. I think that’s where the first seed was planted. In nursing school, I met Pamela Rollins, DNP, MPH, APRN-CNP and fell in love with community-based nursing and preventative health care.

Q  What would you say motivates you the most?
A  Just knowing I made a positive impact on a student’s life. Students need to be healthy to be educated and need to be educated to stay healthy. If I can help in that at all, that makes me thrilled. 

Q  What are you most excited or passionate about?  
A  Preventative health. Influencing children and their families to make healthy choices to lower the risk of heart disease, cancer, etc. later in life. I can go on and on. Nerdy, I know. ;)

Q  What do you find most challenging about your job?
A  Time and building relationships with parents. Chandler schools are lucky to have a school nurse. Many schools around our area do not have that luxury; however, one school nurse for the district can be difficult. There is usually not enough time in the day to get to everything I would like to! Building relationships with parents is something that is so important to me as well. A student's health can be traced back to their homes. When you have over 1,200 students to work with, it’s difficult to build a relationship with every family but it’s something I try to work on every day! 

Q  What's the best thing to happen since you started working at CPS?
A  Definitely community involvement. We moved to Chandler from Edmond, and since moving here our family has made some wonderful friends in this tight knit community. There is always an opportunity to get involved in something in the community, and you usually get to work alongside your friends. 

Q  What might students and parents be surprised to know about you? 
A  I have a dream of opening something similar to a YMCA here in Chandler! I love healthy eating, exercise, and helping people reach their health goals. I would love to add to that opportunity here in Chandler. 

Q  What profession other than your own would you most like to attempt? 
A  Dietitian or yoga instructor! 

Q  What are three things every nurse should own?
A  Stethoscope (obviously), a good pen, and a calming attitude!

Lacy’s husband works with his dad and brother in helping run an oilfield business. They have a son, Oakley, who is 7 and a daughter, Harlow, who is 5. They occasionally travel (we love Big Cedar and the Bahamas!) but spend most of our time running our kids to their activities or spending time with extended family and friends.