by Eva Harbeson
Nursing assistant Frank Marshall has dedicated much of his life to helping other people. Even though he is already retired, Marshall continues to work as an assistant nurse at JHS.
Marshall decided to continue working because he enjoys helping people and building connections.
“Since I started to work with JHS, I really started to have good connections with students and staff here. I just really enjoy working here,” he said.
He said being a nursing assistant is more than taking care of someone’s physical needs — it’s about listening to people, understanding them, and making them feel comfortable when they need help.
“Listening to students more and actually listening to them makes a small difference in how you can help them,” he said.
Working at JHS allows Marshall to interact with many different students every day. Sometimes students come to the nurse’s office because they are sick, injured, or simply not feeling their best.
“I like being able to connect with students and help them, whether they’re sick, hurt, or just having a bad day,” said Marshall.
Marshall’s friendly attitude is one quality that makes students feel less nervous while visiting the nurse.
“Marshall helped me feel more comfortable speaking up and not being afraid to say what I’m thinking,” said freshman Noah Sparks.
Even though Marshall is retired, he does not see his job as something he has to do. Instead, he sees it as something he enjoys doing. He likes having a reason to get up and come to work, and he appreciates being able to stay involved in his community.
“I enjoy coming to school every day. It gives me a reason to get up, stay involved, and continue helping people,” said Marshall.
His experience as a nurse assistant also allows him to help students and staff in ways that come from years of working with people.
RN Julie Simones said that Marshall’s presence and work have added to the health office this year.
“He is amazing. I’m very happy to have him as part of our nurses’ staff here at Jeff. He is really good at what he does. He has been great from the beginning,” said Simones.
His dedication has not gone unnoticed, especially by those who work alongside him in the health office.
“He is very respectful. He always knows how to help me when I need it the most. He is very, very honest as well. He is a very good nurse, he belongs here,” said junior Harper Ward.
For many students, Marshall is more than just a member of the nursing staff; he is someone they know they can count on.
“He was very good at helping me whenever I was in pain. He was calm but very patient with me. Frank has always been there for the Football team at all times. He puts his needs aside for his students. He’s amazing,” said Senior Ke’Mari Smith.
Marshall’s passion for nursing is also something he shares with his wife, giving them something special in common.
“My wife is also a nurse, so we bond over being nurses,” he said.
Their careers give them something they can talk about and understand together. Marshall said, “We understand each other. We can talk about our experiences, share stories, and support each other.”
Having a wife who is also a nurse has helped Marshall appreciate his career even more. He said nursing can be challenging, but having someone at home who understands the job can make those challenges easier.
“My wife understands what it’s like to be in nursing, so when I have a tough day, she knows what I’m going through. We can relate to each other and help each other through it,” said Marshall.
Marshall’s decision to keep working after retirement shows how much he cares about helping others. He could have chosen to spend his retirement doing something completely different, but instead he decided to continue working with people.
“I enjoy helping students so they can become better and get help quickly,” he said.
