About Our Nurses

Jen Brands, Shanelle Henning, Wendy Donkersloot, Kayla Schmitz, Jackie Heidelberger standing in front of the bleachers.

Mrs. Brands

My name is Jen Brands and I received my BA in nursing from Augustana College. I worked as an RN in a nursing home in Sioux Falls, and then a clinic and eventually a school in Milaca, MN for several years prior to moving back to my hometown of Worthington.  I have worked as a Licensed School Nurse for District 518 at the Non-public schools and ALC since 2002.  I believe prevention and education are key when it comes to health. Our motto at school is “Healthy Kids Make Better Learners”. My husband and I have 3 children and besides keeping up with them, I have a passion for animals so our country home is a little like a small zoo!  

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Mrs. Donkersloot

I have been a registered nurse since 2002 and have enjoyed working at the Sanford clinic and on the med/surge and OB units in the Sanford Worthington Hospital, but since have found my passion to be school nursing. I have been contracted to the Worthington School District from the Sanford Clinic since 2006. Each year is new an exciting, there is never a dull day in the health office! My husband and our 3 children live in Worthington. We enjoy camping, walking, sports, and spending time with family and friends.

As the school nurse keeping children healthy is my mission because “healthy kids are better learners”. Immunizations, medication administration, hearing and vision screening, health education, and wellness promotion are my part to keeping our school a healthy place to learn and grow. When a child comes into the health office be assured they will be given the best care we can to get them back to class or when necessary, home to you.

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Mrs. Henning

I started my career in health care field in 2005 at Sanford’s Critical Care unit in Sioux Falls as a Medical Secretary. I then continued my education and graduated from Minnesota West in 2011 with my Associates in Nursing. My First nursing job was at Sanford Orthopedics in Worthington moving into Pediatrics in 2013 where I found my love working with children. In 2018, I got the great opportunity to become a School Nurse for district 518. I am full time between the Learning Center, Prairie Elementary, Early Childhood, St. Mary’s and the Worthington Christian School. I am grateful to get to work with the different age groups and help promote healthy living as well assisting them when they are not feeling well.

My husband, three kids and I live in Lismore. We stay busy running the kids to figure skating and wrestling practices, events as well and my husband owning his own business. We also enjoy camping in the summers.

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Mrs. Heidelberger

I started my medical field journey when I was in High School, working as a Personal Care Assistant, then Certified Nursing Assistant, continued to get my Licensed Practical Nursing degree, ultimately getting my Registered Nurse (RN) in 2015. Since getting my RN license, I have worked with multiple specialties such as the Elderly, Outreach Services (nephrology, orthopedics, behavior health, and a few others), and Case Management. I was very excited when the School Nurse position opened with District 518 High School to promote health and wellbeing, as well as caring for your children when they are not feeling well. I am married to my wonderful husband and we have one beautiful daughter and we live on an acreage near Brewster. On our acreage we enjoy gardening, tending to our chicken and ducks, and pretty much anything that revolves around being outside. When we are not on our acreage we love to spend time with family, and boating with our pontoon.

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Mrs. Schmitz

I graduated from NCC in Sheldon, Iowa in May 2015 with an Associate Degree in Nursing. My first year as the nurse at the Middle School was 2015. I was very excited to be working in District 518!!

I have been married for 8 years and have three children ages 7,5 and 2. We live on an acreage north of Round Lake. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family and friends.

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