By Jetta Kilgore
Eagle Network
Mrs. Holly Rivera is the new school nurse at Van Buren High School.
Rivera is entering her 17th year as a nurse and second with the Van Buren County Board of Education. Prior to this year, Rivera served as the system’s substitute nurse.
She said loves the atmosphere of the school, and that is what led her to becoming the school’s new nurse.
“I love the kids, the teachers and just the whole school atmosphere.” Rivera said. “This year they were going to hire a second nurse, so I applied and here I am.”
Rivera first became interested in pursuing a career in medicine when she was a high school student. She shadowed a nurse when she was a junior and was inspired to attend Tennessee Tech for her nursing degree.
Before joining the staff at VBHS, Rivera spent four years as an RN staff nurse at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital in Knoxville and 12 years at Ascension St. Thomas Riverpark in McMinnville. While at Riverpark, Rivera served as an RN staff nurse and lead chart auditor.
She graduated with honors from TTU in 2007 with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She received her high school diploma with honors from White County High School in 2002.
Rivera is married to Officer Jorge Rivera, and the couple of 12 years have two children, Chase and Brooklyn. The Riveras reside in Spencer.