By Caitlyn Laube
Karen Landers grew up on a farm in Fairbank, Iowa. She graduated from Wapsie Valley High School and Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids. Landers decided she wanted to become a nurse because her mother was a nurse, she has always loved human pathophysiology and anatomy, and she liked the fact that there are many areas of nursing to get involved in. If Landers hadn’t become a nurse she sees herself working in the healthcare field doing mission work in the United States.
Before being employed at Charles City, Landers worked as a school nurse at Central Springs for seven years. Prior to that she was a delivery nurse and NICU nurse at the Waverly Health Center and Mercy in Mason City. When asked what was different here at CCHS from where she worked before, Landers replied with, “there are a lot more students!” She also said there are a lot of cultural and socioeconomic diversity, and many more complex students with greater health care needs that impact their learning. Her favorite part of her job is the kids she meets and gets to know while her least favorite part is starting over, not knowing the students and coworkers. “Developing new relationships takes time,” stated Landers.
Landers decided to work in Charles City to be able to spend more time with her kids, as the drive is a lot shorter from their home in Greene, Iowa. She was ready for the challenge of working with a larger school district. Landers is the single parent of five children; Brylee, 17; Owen, 15; Cooper, 13; Jude, 9; and Ashtyn, 6. They enjoy going to many events together including football, cheerleading, dance, basketball and wrestling at North Butler. When not attending one of those many activities the Landers’ enjoy swimming at the pool in Greene, going for walks, and doing anything outside.
Before being employed at Charles City, Landers worked as a school nurse at Central Springs for seven years. Prior to that she was a delivery nurse and NICU nurse at the Waverly Health Center and Mercy in Mason City. When asked what was different here at CCHS from where she worked before, Landers replied with, “there are a lot more students!” She also said there are a lot of cultural and socioeconomic diversity, and many more complex students with greater health care needs that impact their learning. Her favorite part of her job is the kids she meets and gets to know while her least favorite part is starting over, not knowing the students and coworkers. “Developing new relationships takes time,” stated Landers.
Landers decided to work in Charles City to be able to spend more time with her kids, as the drive is a lot shorter from their home in Greene, Iowa. She was ready for the challenge of working with a larger school district. Landers is the single parent of five children; Brylee, 17; Owen, 15; Cooper, 13; Jude, 9; and Ashtyn, 6. They enjoy going to many events together including football, cheerleading, dance, basketball and wrestling at North Butler. When not attending one of those many activities the Landers’ enjoy swimming at the pool in Greene, going for walks, and doing anything outside.