My name is Wendy Madonia, Dennis B. O’Brien’s school nurse. I earned my Registered Nurse degree through Holy Name Hospital School of Nursing, where I put my license to good use working for many years in the hospital settings of Dover General Hospital and Hackettstown Community. In Dover General, I focused on Medical-Surgical areas with some time in the geriatric department. As I began building my family, I made a switch to Hackettstown Community Hospital where I was able to move around to other areas such as pediatrics, OB-GYN, orthopedics and cardiology.  Being a mom of four fast growing children, I stepped out of the field for a few years to raise them. I could not pass up the opportunity to rejoin the workforce when asked to become a school nurse. Employment in a school system afforded me the chance to get back into the nursing field, while still allowing me the time to be able to care for my younger children at home.  I was fortunate to be able to step into the role of a school nurse, as working with children can be challenging as well as rewarding. I received my School Nurse/Teacher of Health Certifications, as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Caldwell College in December of 2010.

Being a school nurse I have a growing family of young children to enjoy watching as they transform in life through their education and challenges faced during the elementary years.  I take on the role of educating them on how to be safe and healthy. The choices our youth need to learn and live by are very important at a young age. As a mother of 4 grown children now, I live through the youth experiences that I have seen through my own children.  Matthew, my oldest, has a job in the Dumont School district as part of their custodial staff.  My daughter, Samantha, is a teacher in the Clifton School district. My son Alex, is a NJ State Trooper and my youngest, Nicholas is pursuing a career in Sports Management.

I am actively involved in many organizations and associations. I am currently the President of the Morris County School Nurse Association, a member of NASN (National Association of School Nurses), NJSSNA (NJ State School Nurses Association) and a  member of the Passaic County School Nurses Association (PCSNA).  I am also a member of the Domestic Violence Awareness Committee and The Prevention Coalition fostering a Drug-Free Community Committee.

Some of you I have already had the pleasure of meeting, others, I look forward to meeting. I also look forward to working with you and your children during their time here at Dennis B. O'Brien School. I ask that if any of you have any questions or concerns about your child, please stop in and visit me.

The health office door is always open.