Charlotte Burt, Iowa

Charlotte Burt has served as the state school nurse consultant for the state of Iowa for the past twelve years. In her current capacity as the Student Health Services Consultant at the Iowa Department of Education, she has exhibited the outstanding qualities that led a number of people to support her nomination for this award. Charlotte provides excellent statewide leadership, consultation, and direction for school health programs and school nursing programs. Like many of the state consultants, she has been a school nurse, and worked as a part of a transdisciplinary team, particularly in the special education arena. Likely, this background shaped the way Charlotte has approached her position as the state consultant. Many of the letters of recommendation mentioned Charlotte's collaborative approach to her work. A supporter wrote ³she works long and hard to assure that health considerations are a part of policy discussions and deliberations across the educational system in Iowa.² Charlotte has certainly represented the National Association of State School Nurse Consultants with a collaborative spirit.

Charlotte characterizes herself as a lifelong learner, and models this for Iowa's school nurses by currently pursuing her second master's degree. She taught nurses at many levels of professional nursing and encourages professional growth. To ensure the best preparation for the role of the school nurse today, she provides guidance by participating on advisory committees, planning committees, doing presentations, and collecting and analyzing data that will shape future school health and school nursing programs. One letter stated that "Her vision, flexibility and management skills are demonstrated in the outstanding manner in which she has acted as a preceptor for school nurses returning for advanced degrees."

Charlotte has capitalized on technology and made listserves available to Iowa school nurses as well as maintaining the website and listserve for the National Association of State School Nurse Consultants. She writes extensively, from a quarterly newsletter, to manuals, training resources, and position statements. Charlotte has a keen interest in research and uses data to shape programs and policies. She has been the cornerstone of the committee developing the School Health Intensity Rating Scale, evaluating the student's needs in relationship to the allocation of nursing resources in schools.

Charlotte's list of accomplishments is as long as her list of continuing education activities. She has received many awards that speak of her outstanding service as a state school nurse consultant. Charlotte has received the following recognitions: American School Health Association Fellow Adjunct Instructor, College of Nursing, University of Iowa Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, Zeta Chi Chapter National Association of State School Nurse Consultants, Recognition of Service Iowa Department of Education: Recognition of Outstanding Performance.

The president of the Iowa School Nurse Organization wrote, "Charlotte is clearly a gifted and talented nurse and advocate of school nurses. She enjoys a sense of humor, works diligently to accomplish her goals, and helps bring out the best in those around her." These are traits we look for in our leaders. Charlotte possesses these and many more.