Calling all Overseas School Nurse, we need you! Join the OSHNA board and contribute your expertise and leadership. We have several committees if you can only contribute a few hours of your time or join us on the board to make a major impact for School Nurses everywhere. Email at [email protected]
SY23/24 School Nurse of the Year
Elizabeth Schuster-Shoaf
Nurse Liz, as her students call her, got her calling while caring for her 96-year-old grandmother with terminal cancer. This was the start of her nursing philosophy to treat every person with compassion and respect.
Liz currently serves as the SHAPE American Middle School Nurse on a NATO military installation in Mons, Belgium. Prior to that she worked as an Army Public Health Nurse. She received her BSN from the University of Colorado graduating Summa cum laude and went on to receive a Master’s in Nursing Education from South University. Currently she is working on her doctoral degree from the University of Strathclyde in Public Health and Social Policy in Scotland.
Liz began her career in school nursing the year her only child went off to college. In her words, “It was perfect timing. Instead of becoming an empty nester, I became a safe place to fall for over 300 students.” Being very active in her school and community she is the school PTSO representative, school Art Club sponsor, Red Cross CPR instructor, and an active participant as a coach and camp nurse for the Benelux Child and Youth Services program. She also researched and developed a Calming Corner for students to utilize when anxious or needing a break. She then presented her program and findings at the OSHNA conference in Brussels, Belgium this last fall.
Liz grew up in a military family and attended DoDEA schools in Europe. Coming full circle, she feels it is a privilege to work for DoDEA in support of other military families. In the many roles she has served as a professional registered nurse, school nursing has been the most challenging, yet rewarding. This affords her the opportunity to provide medical services to middle schoolers while assisting them navigate the challenges of growing up.
Liz currently serves as the SHAPE American Middle School Nurse on a NATO military installation in Mons, Belgium. Prior to that she worked as an Army Public Health Nurse. She received her BSN from the University of Colorado graduating Summa cum laude and went on to receive a Master’s in Nursing Education from South University. Currently she is working on her doctoral degree from the University of Strathclyde in Public Health and Social Policy in Scotland.
Liz began her career in school nursing the year her only child went off to college. In her words, “It was perfect timing. Instead of becoming an empty nester, I became a safe place to fall for over 300 students.” Being very active in her school and community she is the school PTSO representative, school Art Club sponsor, Red Cross CPR instructor, and an active participant as a coach and camp nurse for the Benelux Child and Youth Services program. She also researched and developed a Calming Corner for students to utilize when anxious or needing a break. She then presented her program and findings at the OSHNA conference in Brussels, Belgium this last fall.
Liz grew up in a military family and attended DoDEA schools in Europe. Coming full circle, she feels it is a privilege to work for DoDEA in support of other military families. In the many roles she has served as a professional registered nurse, school nursing has been the most challenging, yet rewarding. This affords her the opportunity to provide medical services to middle schoolers while assisting them navigate the challenges of growing up.
