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Doreen Crowe, MEd, BSN, RN
Nominating Committee Candidate
Current NASN Affiliate: Massachusetts School Nurse Organization (MSNO)
Major Clinical, Teaching, or Practice Area: Administration/Management, School Nurse
Education: Cambridge College, School Nursing, MEd, 2003; Boston College, Nursing, BSN, 1984
Awards, Achievements, and Honors: NASN Excellence in School Nursing, 2017; JJSHLP Outstanding Alumni Making a Difference Award, 2017; MA School Nurse Administrator of the Year, 2016
Number of Years in School Nursing: 22 years
Employment: Arlington Public Schools, Director of Nursing Services, 2021 - Present: The Director of Nursing Services is responsible for supervising and implementing the provisions of the Nursing Services Department in the Arlington Public Schools in accordance with State and Federal regulations and mandates. The Director will work closely with the Medical Director who services as a consultant. On a day-to-day basis the Director will work with the educational leaders of the Arlington Public Schools to assure that the health needs of all students are met.
- Participates in the recruitment and selection of school nurses.
- Supervises school nurses.
- Evaluates school nurses.
- Supervises and coordinates health service programs for students in compliance with statutes and regulations.
- Collaborates with public and private agencies, organizations, and professional personnel in securing and providing school health services for students.
- Prepares and/or reviews all local, state and federal reports on health/medical issues.
- Interprets the philosophy and practices of the health services department for parents, administrators, staff and the public.
- Provides consultation and advice to administrators to ensure a safe and healthy school environment.
- Participates in the planning and equipping of health rooms in schools.
- Exhibits and facilitates human relations and communication skills.
- Provides staff leadership, development and training.
- Manages the Health Services budget.
- Demonstrates professional growth and self-improvement.
- Develops positive school community relations.
- Communicates in a timely and effective manner with staff, administrators and parents.
- Provides support and resources to the nurses to maintain student health records.
- Complies and interprets statistics for the student population.
- Supervises the nurses to ensure all students are properly immunized and that all newly enrolled students meet MDPH requirements for school admission.
- Prepares, implements and oversees various grant funded activities.
- Promotes staff wellness activities and services.
- Performs other responsibilities the Superintendent of Schools may from time to time assign.
- Works directly with Massachusetts DPH Evaluation Task Force and School Health Unit.
- Provides training on district protocols relative to student records, and other health related matters.
- Responsible for district protocol relative to student health records/immunizations.
- Co-chairs the District Wellness Committee
- Performs other related duties as assigned by the Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent.
Other Significant Positions Held: Director of Nursing, Wilmington Public Schools, 2001 - 2021; School Nurse, Wilmington Public Schools, 2000 - 2001
Present NASN Offices/Appointments: NA
Past NASN Offices/Appointments: NASN Director, 2016 - 2020
Present NASN Affiliate Offices/Appointments: MSNO Immediate Past-President, 2022 - Present
Past NASN Affiliate Offices/Appointments: MSNO President, 2020 - 2022; MSNO President-Elect, 2019 - 2020
Present Offices/Appointments in Other Associations: NA
Past Offices/Appointments in Other Associations: NA
Publications Significant to School Nursing:
- National Association of School Nurses. (2020). Naloxone in the school setting (Position Statement). Silver Spring, MD: Levasseur, S., Nelson, L., Crowe, D., Major, K.
- Allsbrook, P., Cowan, T., & Crowe, D. (2018). Reimbursement for School Nursing Services: Position Statement. NASN School Nurse, 33(4), 244-247. doi:10.1177/1942602x18776610
- National Association of School Nurses. (2018). Do Not Attempt Resuscitation (DNAR) – The Role of the School Nurse. (Position Statement). Silver Spring, MD: Allsbrook, P., Begley, C., Cowan, T., Crowe, D., & Graf, K.
- National Association of School Nurses. (2018). Reimbursement for school nursing services (Position Statement). Silver Spring, MD: Allsbrook, P., Cowan, T., Crowe, D.
- Pulcini, J., Sheetz, A., Crowe, D. (2011). Massachusetts School Nurse Research Network: A Win Win for Nurse Educators. NASN School Nurse, 26: 11-14 December 2010
Participation in Publication Review: National Association of School Nurses. (2021) Targeted Education for School Staff on Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems: A Nurse-led Intervention. JSN-21-03-065
Presentations Significant to School Nursing:
- Boston College Guest Lecture. (2022, 2023). How Do School Nurses Influence Population Health: Crowe, D.
- Northeastern University Summer Academy. (2022). Collaboration Panel During COVID: Crowe, D., Homan, E.
- School Nurse International, Sweden. (2019). Spotlighting the School Nurse Role Implementing an Adolescent Substance Use Prevention Program in Massachusetts, USA: Crowe, D., Casper, R., Riccio, C., Toulouse, S.
Research Significant to School Nursing: NA
Participation in Data Collection: NA
Statement of View: During the ongoing pandemic, a spotlight has been shining on the specialized practice of school nursing. Overall, teaching staff, administrators, families and communities at-large have a greater respect and understanding of the role of the school nurse. Policy and practice changes, such as naloxone in schools, are among some of our achievements. However, staffing shortages, stress, burnout and early retirements continue to plague many school districts. We need to keep the momentum going, use our voices to share stories and advocate for the health and well-being of school communities.
In our commitment to the NASN strategic plan, it’ll be important for us to continue our collective work in the area of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). As school nurses, we all practice DEI on a daily basis. In fact, school nurses wrote the book on inclusion. No student is ever turned away from visiting the health office, regardless of their race, color, ethnicity,gender, economic status, etc. The health office door is always open.
As an organization representing over 18 thousand members, the time is now for us to promote and support best practices for recruitment and retention of school nurses from a variety of backgrounds, including, but not limited to race, color and ethnicity. Our students need to be cared for by individuals from the same diverse backgrounds as themselves.
If elected as a member of the NASN Nominating Committee, I will support a commitment to DEI and will engage with NASN members from all 50 affiliates to promote and encourage elite leaders to take on NASN officer roles. The future of NASN depends on a strong commitment from successors that will use their voice to advocate for our students and the profession.
Thank you for your vote of support.
This Nominating Committee candidate completed the Nominating Committee process.