School nurse Yhap-Zebro has shot at Johnson & Johnson honor
Genevieve Yhap-Zebro is one of 10 finalists in the Johnson & Johnson nationwide search for the “Amazing Nurse” of 2013.
Ms. Yhap-Zebro, a Hillsborough resident employed at the pre-K-to-8th grade Sacred Heart School in South Amboy, was selected by a panel of judges who reviewed more than 1,200 nominees from across the United States.
To become the winner of the competition, she needs your online votes.
According to Johnson & Johnson, the judges narrowed the competition down to the 10 finalists who “demonstrate and provide extraordinary care and make a difference every day in the lives of others,” based on scoring the nominees in the categories of “Inspiring Experience,” “Exceptional Care” and “Lasting Impact.”
Ms. Yhap-Zebro, a registered nurse with a bachelor’s degree in nursing, who works for the Department of Nonpublic Services of the Middlesex Regional Educational Services Commission (MRESC).
She was nominated by Jennifer Jenkins, the mother of a Sacred Heart student. Ms. Jenkins was required to submit an essay of up to 300 words explaining why Ms. Yhap-Zebro deserved &“”title.
In her essay, Ms. Jenkins described how Ms. Yhap-Zebro contacted her with concerns about her son saying how thirsty he often felt, requiring frequent visits to the drinking fountain and restroom. Suspecting the possibility of childhood diabetes, Ms.Yhap-Zebro urged Ms. Jenkins to have her child examined by a pediatrician. The doctor discovered elevated blood sugar levels, although a follow-up visit to a pediatric endocrinologist determined the student was not diabetic.
Ms. Jenkins expressed her appreciation for being contacted so quickly, and educated about diabetic symptoms, by Ms. Yhap-Zebro.
””Ms.She said that “Nurse Genevieve” regularly follows up with parents regarding the status of a child who is out sick, both to check on the child’s health, and find out if the illness includes a communicable disease component. When a communicable disease is an issue, Ms. Yhap-Zebro alerts school personnel and students about the symptoms.
”I can’t tell you how grateful my husband and I are to know that our son is in such capable, conscientious hands,” Ms. Jenkins wrote, adding:
”Nurse Genevieve maintains a webpage on the school site with pertinent up-to-date health information, including communicable conditions to watch for, seasonal allergies, and healthy lunches. She is efficient, caring and loves her work. She is truly an Amazing Nurse.”
Her supervisor, Fredrika Schwerin, ’agreed that Ms.Yhap-Zebro is a true professional.
”In the two years that Mrs Yhap-Zebro has been with us, she has demonstrated that she is a detail-oriented, conscientious nurse, who always does what is in the best interest of students and their families,” said Ms. Schwerin.
Finalists were required to submit a video describing why they chose to become nurses. In her video, Ms. Yhap-Zebro elaborated on the importance of nursing, and explained how she continues to be inspired both by routine assignments, like dispensing medicine and screenings, as well as dealing with any major issues that occur.
The videos of all of the finalists and the opportunity to vote for the 2013 Amazing Nurse, is at www.amazingnurses.com/FinalistDetail.aspx?id=10. People may vote daily until Aug. 16; Johnson & Johnson will announce the winner on Sept. 9.
A Hillsborough resident, Ms. Yhap-Zebro also shared a story in her video in which during the first week on the job at a different school, she observed a student having an allergic reaction, and go into anaphylactic shock. A call to 911 was placed, and an ambulance quickly arrived, transporting the child to the emergency room of the local hospital.
This is the third year of the “Amazing Nurse” search, a part of Johnson & Johnson’s “Campaign for Nursing’s Future,” a multi-year, $50 million national initiative launched in 2002 to enhance the image of the nursing profession.
The MRESC provides more than 600 school districts and municipalities with specialized, auxiliary and remedial services for special-needs students, a comprehensive Professional Development Academy, and the Collaborative Educational Services program to help districts offer educational programs for special-needs students within their neighborhood schools.