Connie Hoffstetter, a longtime school nurse with Bend-La Pine Schools, was recently named the Oregon School Nurse of the Year by the Oregon School Nurses Association. Hoffstetter works primarily at Bend Senior High School and also serves students at Marshall High School.

“Her manner with students is phenomenal. She is passionate, caring and makes quick decisions,” said Bend Senior High School Principal Christopher Reese, who nominated Hoffstetter for the honor. “She cares about students, cares about families and she is part of our team.”

Hoffstetter started working for Bend-La Pine Schools in 2000 and served the schools and students in La Pine for three years before moving to Bend Senior High School, among other schools. Hoffstetter has a Bachelors in Nursing Sciences from Oregon Health Sciences University and a Masters degree in Nursing Education with a community health focus and she is a National Certified School Nurse.

“I feel really ecstatic to be recognized. It means a lot,” said Hoffstetter. “It’s not a job, it’s my passion and I learn something new every day. The key is being flexible. You can never plan your day. You can go from helping with injuries to mental health concerns to managing acute illnesses to working with health education.”