Coe nursing professor earns national distinguished service award
A Coe College faculty member will be recognized with a national nursing award.
The National Association of School Nurses (NASN) named Sharon Guthrie as the recipient of the organization’s 2023 Distinguished Service Award. Guthrie is an associate professor of nursing at Coe.
Guthrie is the sole recipient of the nationwide award, which recognizes an organization or individual who has continually supported or uniquely contributed to NASN, school nursing or school health services nationally in at least the last five years.
To earn this recognition, NASN cited Guthrie’s support of school nurses, schools and community collaboration in the Iowa School Nurse Organization (ISNO); assisting with the facilitation of the University of Iowa College of Nursing New School Nurse Orientation; service on the NASN Research Advisory Committee and presentations at the NASN conference.
Guthrie’s involvement in school nursing began in 1999 at Xavier High School in Cedar Rapids. She compared being a school nurse with managing a mini health clinic in an educational setting and quickly learned that school nursing is an “autonomous, unpredictable practice that requires a broad knowledge base, quick thinking, creativity, excellent communication skills and advocacy.” Guthrie left Xavier in 2007 and continued her ISNO leadership roles, currently serving as the ISNO executive director.
“[Sharon is] a true champion for enhanced student health and school nursing,” said NASN President Linda Mendonça in a letter announcing Guthrie’s selection.
“We are all proud of Sharon — this recognition is well-deserved and indicative of her dedication to the nursing profession and the passion she brings into the classroom to inspire her students,” Coe College Provost Angela Ziskowski said.
A celebration of NASN awardees, termed the Lily Awards, is planned for late June at the organization’s annual conference in Orlando, Florida.
“I am honored beyond words to be recognized by the National Association of School Nurses with the Distinguished Service Award,” Guthrie said.
Through ISNO leadership roles, Guthrie has connected with school nurses across the state, country and world — learning about the variations in school nursing practices, the consistent every day challenges and how to utilize her advocacy skills for school nurses everywhere. She notes there are only two states that require a school nurse in each school, every day. Iowa is not one of those states.
“My recognition stems from the efforts and support of many others who also believe we need to give all students access to a licensed registered school nurse every day, all day, in every school,” Guthrie said. “Students have physical and mental health that are not left at the door when they enter a school. Students who have access to a school nurse every day, all day, in every school are more prepared and ready to learn than students who have health needs that go unrecognized and unmet.”
Guthrie noted she is grateful for the support and encouragement she has received from her children, parents, friends, colleagues, mentors and supervisors during her journey in school nursing.
The Coe College nursing program integrates individual mentorship from professors like Guthrie, and also provides an unheard of three full terms of 1-1 clinical experiences. Those experiences often occur in the two Top 25 teaching hospitals within walking distance of Coe’s campus. Coe nursing graduates continue to pass the NCLEX exam at rates higher than the national average.
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Coe College offers superb academics and exciting extracurricular activities in a thriving urban setting that promotes student growth and success. Established in 1851, Coe has a national reputation for academic excellence enhanced by a student-centered, highly supportive campus environment. Coe’s vibrant Cedar Rapids location provides an abundance of internships for students and career opportunities for graduates.