This month we want to spotlight a Care Van school-based site clinic and the amazing nurse, Karyn Beauchamp, MSN, MBA/HCM, RN Director of Clinic and Health Services at Irving ISD, at the helm! The Care Van has partnered with Irving Independent School District (ISD) since October 2020. These school-based clinics are independent collaborations, that ensures students have access to care. Parents can feel reassured that their children will return to school ready and healthy! We feel honored and proud to have Karyn represent the Irving ISD school-based site, and what better way to get to know her beyond the scope of her practice then by interviewing her. Check out our interview below:
Interviewer: What inspired you to become a nurse?
Karyn: I was a “volunteer” in the emergency room at a local hospital, and this is where I realized my love of medicine and helping people. I received a Bachelor’s in Nursing in 1993. I worked in hospitals and managed a spine clinic until 2002, when I became a school nurse in Irving ISD. I furthered my education receiving a Master’s in Nursing and a Master’s in Business Administration and Healthcare Management in 2009. In 2011, I was hired as the Director of Clinic and Health Services for Irving ISD. I became a nurse because of my love and passion for helping serve others. Being able to bring a calm presence to emergency situations and other medical situations through my nursing skills and knowledge, particularly to the parents and students in Irving ISD, is gratifying and rewarding to me. Being a nursing leader to the amazing nurses in Irving ISD is what I love doing.
Interviewer: As one of our first school-based clinics, what made you want to partner with The Caring Foundation of Texas?
Karyn: As the director for Irving ISD, I was introduced to the Dallas Care Van program. The program would come to Irving to provide vaccines but, the dates that we needed them, they were not available. Since the Caring Foundation of Texas has provided an amazing opportunity to support our local communities by increasing immunization compliance, I decided I needed to investigate how to the Care Van could provide vaccines to the students in Irving ISD. Through their support, we are able to increase the ability for children in our school district to receive the vaccines that protect children from childhood diseases. The funding allows us to offer these vaccines at no cost to families.
Interviewer: What is your favorite part about your current role?
Karyn: Being a registered nurse and setting up Care Van Irving to help our families has been a rewarding experience. Through the time, energy and efforts of our school nurses, my office manager and myself, we provide free vaccines to our families. My favorite part is to see the relief in the parents’ faces when they realize the vaccines are free to them, and we will treat everyone with respect and care. Parents are grateful and appreciative.
Interviewer: The last couple years of been challenging in health care, how have you overcome these challenges?
Karyn: Typically, I take a deep breath, listen, and evaluate the challenge, critically thinking through how to solve the issue. We encounter challenges every day, and it is how we respond that can worsen or improve the issue. It is all about your attitude.
Interviewer: Tell us some fun facts about you!
Karyn: I play the viola, violin and piano and I attended LSU on a viola full music scholarship before changing my major and becoming a nurse. I still perform some with my church, which is one of my most favorite things to do outside of work