The nurse with heart: How Holly Copher supports Clyde students every day

CLYDE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) — Most people think a visit to the school nurse means a Band-Aid paired with an ice pack, but it is much more than that.

District nurse for Clyde ISD, Holly Copher, said her job looks different every day.

“You may have a major concussion; you may have a major head injury that you’re having to assess for. We have students who have seizures, so you’re doing seizure precautions. We have students who are diabetic who need insulin,” Copher said.

Copher knew she had a heart for helping others since a young age, especially babies and children. She started out at a hospital in labor and delivery and then moved to an OB-GYN office. She said moving to the school district setting is different.

“When you’re at the hospital, you are surrounded by other nurses and other medical professionals. Here you’re not generally, you’re the only medical person here, so you have to be very knowledgeable,” Copher explained.

Copher came to the district in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a Clyde native, she said she wanted to help her community.

“When I started, I initiated COVID-19 testing here in the schools, so if we had kids or staff members that were unable to get COVID tests anywhere else, they could come to your campus nurse and we could do it,” Copher said.

As a smaller community, Copher plays a huge role. Clyde High School principal Casey Hodges said that without her, the responsibility would fall on someone else’s plate.

“At a school our size, we’re used to wearing many hats. So, having somebody like Holly who takes one thing off our plate that we don’t have to worry about is fantastic, so she is a giant asset to us,” Hodges said.

Copher is the caring face for Clyde students in times of pain and chaos; she said it is her heart’s job.

“It’s more than just a job, I feel like it’s a part of your life. I am so fortunate that I’m able to help take care of others and provide care for others and hopefully show others love, especially if they’ve never felt that before,” Copher said.

National Nurses Week is May 6th through May 12th.