In the quiet hallway, across from the main gym, there’s the nurse’s office, filled with Band-Aids, cotton balls, and thermometers. But, behind the desk and computer screen, when you first walk in, sits someone more important than the objects that fill the room: Brianna Blanco, our new school nurse.
Blanco, a New Jersey native, grew up in Hasbrouck Heights and attended Sacred Heart University, earning a degree in English. Originally wanting to become a lawyer, she attended “pre-law classes.” However, her plan shifted when the world did—during the height of COVID. “I graduated right around COVID, and I knew I always wanted to do something that helped people, which is why I was leaning towards law. But then graduating during COVID, everything was kind of crazy.”
Growing up, Blanco did not live an average life. She grew up with two sisters—triplets. Both sisters were naturally drawn to nursing, their compassion and curiosity leading them into the field first. Blanco veered from law into nursing after her sisters encouraged her to give it a try.
Returning to school, Blanco attended Quinnipiac University, where she studied nursing for a year to earn her degree. Immediately after graduating, she was introduced to the bustle of a crowded hospital.
“I picked two very busy units when I first started in the hospital,” Blanco said. “I was in the ER and the ICU, and I was working the night shift. So, my schedule was very busy and crazy.”
After two and a half years in the hospital, Blanco decided that it was time for a change of scenery. She always “wanted to work with the high school population,” so when the job opportunity at Tenafly High School came her way, she pounced on it, certain that it would be the right fit. While working in the hospital, she was surrounded by sick people 24/7, meeting individuals with severe injuries and illnesses. And while she does not necessarily prefer working in a school setting, she says it is definitely a good change of pace, and she likes that she has been able to connect with more people.
Additionally, Blanco has connected with students outside the nurse’s office by becoming a JV Girls Soccer coach. In high school, she was on her varsity soccer team and still plays pick-up soccer games today, so when the principal, James Morrison, asked her to be a coach, it was a perfect opportunity. This was Blanco’s first time coaching a sport, but she really enjoyed it.
Outside of school, Blanco likes to stay busy by cooking, going to the gym, reading, and running (In fact, she ran a marathon last week!)
Whether she’s handing out ice packs, cheering on the sidelines, or tackling a marathon, Nurse Blanco brings energy, care, and determination to everything she does. Her journey from pre-law to nursing, from the ER to Tenafly High School, shows just how open she is to new challenges and new ways to help people. With her friendly personality and constant drive, Blanco isn’t just our school nurse; she’s a reminder that sometimes the best paths are the ones you don’t plan for.
