SNOM 2023 School Nurse Administrator of the Year
Danae Bachtle, RN, BSN, PHN, LSN, NCSN
The School Nurse Organization of Minnesota (SNOM) is pleased to announce Danae Bachtle, BSN, RN, PHN, LSN, NCSN, District Licensed School Nurse of Lakeville Area Schools (ISD 194) as the 2023 School Nurse Administrator of the Year. This honor recognizes one Licensed School Nurse annually who emulates the profession of School Nurses and demonstrates excellence in school nursing practice and administrative leadership in school health. Nominated by her peers, Danae is most worthy of this honor, as evidenced by her outstanding school nursing practice.
Danae started her health career as a CPR and First Aid instructor with the American Heart Association in high school and has been teaching for over 17 years. Danae earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree from The College of St. Scholastica. Danae has committed the last 12 years as a nurse to Lakeville Area Schools where she is a Lead District Licensed School Nurse.
With a love of educating others and a desire to improve school nursing practice, Danae is currently working on her Master’s in Nursing Education. In 2022, Danae was awarded the Helen Keller Sight Award which is given to honor those who have distinguished themselves on behalf of sight, and who see and care for the needs of those less fortunate than themselves.
Licensed School Nurses provide hearing and vision screenings, write individualized health plans, manage students with diabetes, food allergies, asthma attacks, concussions, fractures, seizures, lacerations and much more. School nurses bring a monumental amount of value to student health and safety.
Danae is also a Nationally Certified School Nurse. The NBCSN exam is a rigorous exam and credentialing sets the professional standard for school nursing. Fewer than 10% of all school nurses hold this credential.
Danae has a desire to continue the betterment of school health services. As a healthcare professional, Danae states, “one of my main objectives in our district is to be an advocate for every student to ensure that they are able to perform in school to their highest ability and achieve the goals set before them. This requires a healthy environment, focusing on the well-being of each individual student with a professional healthcare team, and an administration that sees the important role school nurses play in the community.”
“Danae is a special person. Not only is she a gifted practitioner, but she also utilizes her knowledge and skills to improve systems and raise standards for school health services” stated Renae Ouillette, Retired LAS Executive Director of Student Services. Principal Bret Domstrand states, “I wish I could replicate her for other school districts.”