Johnny Kell, MSN-RN | Credentialed School Nurse

Hi, I'm Johnny! I'm the district school nurse serving students at McKinleyville High School, Arcata High School, Six Rivers Charter High School, and both Pacific Coast & Mad River continuation schools.

My job goes well beyond ice packs, Band-Aids, and sending students home when they're sick. The school nurse's office is a place where students can receive medical care, ask health questions, talk through concerns, or simply take a few minutes to regroup before heading back to class.

What Can I Help With?

On any given day, I provide a wide variety of healthcare services and student support, including:

• Illness & Injury: Assessment and treatment of everyday illnesses, headaches, stomachaches, dizziness, minor injuries, and other health concerns.

• Medication Management: Administration of authorized medications, medication forms, and support for students with ongoing medication needs.

• Chronic Health Conditions: Care coordination and support for students managing diabetes, asthma, allergies, epilepsy, migraines, and other medical conditions.

• Mental Health & Emotional Support: A safe place to discuss anxiety, stress, family challenges, relationships, or anything affecting a student's well-being.

• Substance-Use Education: Honest, nonjudgmental conversations about nicotine, vaping, cannabis, alcohol, and other substances, with an emphasis on prevention, harm reduction, and making informed decisions.

• Sexual Health & Healthy Relationships: Confidential health education, consent, contraception information, and guidance on accessing appropriate healthcare.

• Health Education & Prevention: Practical information about sleep, nutrition, exercise, energy drinks, personal safety, and adolescent health.

• Student Health Plans & Accommodations: Health assessments, Individualized Healthcare Plans, IEP and Section 504 support, and coordination with families, teachers, and healthcare providers.

• Referrals & Care Coordination: Helping students and families connect with appropriate medical, mental health, and community resources.

• Emergency Response & Acute Care: Rapid assessment and treatment of school-related medical emergencies, including fainting (syncope), seizures, significant cuts and bleeding, head injuries, allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), asthma attacks, diabetic emergencies, and other urgent health concerns. Providing immediate nursing interventions, emergency medication administration, CPR/AED when indicated, and coordination with EMS, families, and school staff.

My Philosophy

I believe students are more likely to make healthy decisions when they have access to accurate information, feel respected, and know they can ask questions without being judged.

Teenagers are navigating a complicated time in their lives. Physical health, mental health, friendships, relationships, family circumstances, and academic expectations are all connected. Sometimes a student comes in with a headache or stomachache, but after a few minutes of conversation, it becomes clear there's something else going on. I try to meet students where they are.

My approach is practical, compassionate, and grounded in evidence-based healthcare. I believe in being honest with students about health risks without relying on scare tactics, shame, or punishment. Prevention is always the goal, but when students are already engaging in risky behaviors, education and harm reduction can make a meaningful difference.

I also believe the health office should be welcoming and accessible. Sometimes students need medical treatment. Sometimes they need someone to listen. And sometimes they just need ten minutes to reset before returning to class.

My goal is simple: Help students stay healthy, feel supported, develop the skills to make informed decisions, and remain engaged in their education.

Student conversations are treated with respect and privacy, within the legal and professional limits of confidentiality.

Where to Find Me

McKinleyville High School

Monday & Tuesday | 8:30 AM – 3:35 PM

Arcata High School

Wednesday – Friday | 8:03 AM – 3:35 PM

Appointments are available at either campus on any school day, including days when I'm regularly scheduled at the other school. Please arrange appointments in advance.

Students are welcome to stop by the nurse's office during school hours. For nonurgent needs, please coordinate visits to minimize missed instructional time.

One Last Thing

You don't have to be sick to visit the school nurse.

Whether you have a medical concern, a question about your health, something weighing on your mind, or just aren't sure who to talk to, my door is open.

Come as you are. We'll figure out the next step together.