The Journey of a Caregiver
If you’ve ever visited The Millennium School Amritsar's medical room, you’ve likely met Ms. Maninder Jeet Kaur, a dedicated and compassionate school nurse. And if you haven’t yet visited, it might just be time to drop by!
Behind the stethoscope and medical charts, is a woman whose dedication to service, learning, and improving care is truly inspiring.
Maninder Ma'am’s journey into nursing began early in life, when her mother encouraged her to pursue a medical profession. She lovingly recalled and said “My mother always wanted me to become a medical professional. It was her wish, and I decided to follow it”.
Her passion was fuelled by reading about Florence Nightingale, the mother of nursing.
She emphatically stated “Her life story gave me the determination to pursue this profession”. She went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Guru Ram Das Medical College, Amritsar.
Before becoming our school nurse, Maninder Ma'am worked in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Guru Ram Das Medical College. She recalled an incident from her time there and said “I learned that as a caregiver, it’s crucial to stay mentally strong, no matter how difficult the situation, you need to be strong for the patient”.
Maninder ma’am recalled that one day, a middle-aged woman, in a critical condition, was brought to the hospital with snake bite. There was a delay in her admission which proved to be fatal. Despite their best efforts they could not save the patient. She emotionally recalled how this taught her an important lesson: “We all make mistakes, and accepting them is what makes us human”.
Maninder Ma’am believes that being a nurse is not just a job, but a lifelong dedication to helping others. “Service to people is my driving force. I always try to treat every patient wholeheartedly, just as I would want my loved ones to be treated,” she says.
One of her most rewarding moments occurred when a child came to her with a ruptured eardrum. She recalls with a smile, “I advised the parents not to put anything in the ear without consulting a doctor. The next day, they came to thank me, saying that if they had done otherwise, the child’s condition would have worsened. That made me really happy”.
Maninder Ma’am’s role as school nurse extends beyond tending to injuries or illnesses. She maintains detailed health records for each student, documents visits to the medical room and tracks treatments.
“Each day is a new experience, and I’m always learning,” she says. Over the years, she has developed a deeper understanding of child psychology. She explains “I never really knew much about child psychology before. But now, I can understand why children visit the medical room, and I try to make them feel comfortable and cared for”.
One issue Maninder Ma'am has faced is with the distribution of sanitary pads. A few years ago, the school started charging a small fee for sanitary pads from students . “Earlier, the school provided free sanitary pads, but it was being misused. To prevent this, we started charging a nominal fee, and it has worked better,” she explains.
Despite her busy role, Maninder Ma'am has a variety of interests. She is an avid reader, particularly of books related to religion and nursing. “There’s always something new to learn in nursing, and I love exploring new ideas”, she shares. She is also passionate about organic foods and hopes to explore that field further.
Maninder Ma'am doesn’t just care about students' physical health; she cares about their overall well-being. “Whenever I see a child who is skipping class, I try to explain to them the importance of education. Learning is not just about books, it’s about shaping your future.”
In her 15 years as a school nurse, Maninder Ma'am has touched the lives of countless students, offering not just medical care, but wisdom, comfort, and genuine support. Next time you visit the medical room, take a moment to thank her for all the hard work and care she provides every day. She’s not just healing wounds—she’s helping us grow stronger, healthier, and more compassionate.
Written by Ayra Sawhney, a 9th grader at The Millennium School, Amritsar
This article was written for and published in The Blue and Green, a student-run publication curated by the students of The Millennium School, Amritsar, as part of the Editorial Board Training Program.