Position: School Nurse
School: Great Brook Elementary School
School District: SAU #1 Contoocook Valley School District
City, State: Antrim, NH
Music that Describes Linda
Linda Compton was nominated by her colleague, Paula MacKinnon.
Ms. Compton strives to be an effective liaison between her student's parents, their medical home, and their teachers. She collaborates with many medical providers to ensure she's providing the best possible care for students with complex medical needs. Her office is a welcoming and safe place for students struggling with a medical need or chronic health issue.
Taking care of her school community is not the only commitment Ms. Compton has made to her profession. She volunteers her time to serve on the NH Board of Nursing's Practice and Education Committee, through which she was instrumental in developing the guidebook, "Nursing Delegation in the School Setting." She has offered continuing education to school nurses on delegation, and she presents on the Scope and Standards of School Nursing Practice.
Ms. Compton's mantra when she speaks at school nurse conferences is: "If you're not at the table, you're on the menu." She inspires and motivates her school nurse colleagues as she pushes them to exercise their voices, not only at the school level, but the state level, as well. Ms. Compton has led by example; she has served on the board of the New Hampshire School Nurses' Association in several different roles, including twice as president (2006 and 2016).
Ms. Compton has advocated for excellence in practice at the national level, as well. Recently (and for the second time), she committed to a four year assignment as the NH representative for the Board of Directors of the National Association of School Nurses. In that role, she participates in writing position statements and white papers, and she represents NH in decisions made at the national board level. She has been an NASN member for more than 20 years. She says, “Being a member of NASN allows me to advocate for school nursing with research-based information and current trends.”
"In summary, Linda is truly a LifeChanger, not only for her students, but as a resource for school nurses in New Hampshire and across the nation, giving them the supports they need for quality, evidence-based practice," said MacKinnon.