There’s nothing like an incentive of candy to get students to do something. So when the Health Action Network was brainstorming ways for students to better understand the services the school nurse provides, it combined Life Saver gummie candies with a meet and greet and had instant success.

According to nurse Terri Paasch, who came to Lincoln in November, the Network’s “Meet the school nurse, Lincoln’s own Lifesaver” event, Feb. 6-9, came as a result of the committee’s efforts to improve awareness of the Health Resource Center in Room 126 and its two nurses, Paasch and Mary Johnson. “Many people are not aware that we are here everyday,” Paasch said. “The goal of the event was to increase awareness that we’re here to help, and for more than just physical ailments.”

The Network, a volunteer committee comprised of parents, staff, students, and community members, made ‘meet and greet’ cards with a list of the nurses’ services to pass out to students. Students were encouraged to bring the cards outside the resource center in senior hall where parent volunteers quizzed them on what the nurses could offer. They were then presented with a package of Lifesaver gummies from either Paasch or Johnson.

“If you’re feeling stressed, overwhelmed, any concerns, we can help,” Paasch said. Paasch also said that she has already had more students coming to her with concerns. “It’s hard to know if it’s just coincidence or if it was the promotion,” Paasch said of her increased student visitation, “but I’d like to think that the awareness worked.”