Libertyville High nurse to lead national group
In her four years as a nurse at Libertyville High School, Cam Traut's treated students for ailments as common as headaches and as severe as seizures and concussions.
She even meets with students being treated for cancer and other chronic illnesses to help them manage their academic responsibilities.
"Nursing, in general, is a rewarding profession because you get to see the illness being healed … and you know you're part of the healing process," said Traut, 43, of Gurnee. "And school nursing is an extension of that."
Traut's preparing to take on a new challenge: leader of the Illinois Association of School Nurses.
She will be installed as president-elect of the 650-member group during an October conference in Rolling Meadows. She automatically will become president in 2009 and past-president in 2010.
The association aims to promote school health programs and provide a professional support network for school nurses. It also follows legislation about immunization, asthma, allergies and other health topics.
Long gone are the days when mothers of students would volunteer as nurses at most schools, said Marian Myers, the group's executive secretary.
"School nursing is too complicated these days," Myers said. "You've got to be on your toes. I don't know any other specialty that has as much variety of health concerns."
A 1982 Libertyville High graduate, Traut has been a member of the nursing association for 13 years. Her resume includes stints at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago and Warren Township High in Gurnee.
Traut was elected to the leadership post by the association's members in April. She will succeed Nancy Petrik, a nurse with West Chicago Elementary District 33, as president-elect.
Traut called the post an opportunity to challenge herself and be a voice for her profession. She said she hopes to build community support for school nurses and increase the recognition they receive -- especially considering the variety of health issues they handle on the job.
"They're more than stomachaches and Band-Aids," Traut said of her peers. "I'm very humbled to think that they have faith and confidence in my ability to lead the organization."