Lynn Von Schlieder received one of two Shining Star awards from the King County Nurses Association (KCNA) on Thurs., May 7 at their Annual Banquet and Awards Ceremony. The Shining Star awards are presented to nurses who demonstrate excellence in their areas of practice or contribute significantly to the nursing profession.
The Director of SCC’s Nursing program, Von Schlieder has more than 46 years of experience in nursing in both civilian and military settings. Her background includes emergency nursing, critical care, medical-surgical, pediatrics and flight nursing. Von Schlieder has also served on KCNA’s Board of Directors.
Von Schlieder was nominated for the Shining Star award by Nursing Program Coordinator Mary Burroughs and by 2014 winter graduate, Marcus Engley.
“When I found out I was nominated by a colleague and a former grad,” said Von Schlieder, “that just filled my heart.”
In her nomination form, Burroughs wrote that Von Schlieder “is committed to excellence” and “handles a very complex job with grace.”
Burroughs added that Von Schlieder’s “leadership style focuses on communication and faculty involvement” and that she’s “brought the faculty together, improved communication, diminished isolation between quarters and initiated several quality improvement activities.”
“She has always been our shining star, now I would like her to have recognition of this by the professional organization nearest to her heart,” Burroughs concluded in her nomination.
Von Schlieder was in Spokane at the time she was announced as a Shining Star recipient, and heard news of the award via a phone call from Burroughs. “I cried when I hung up the phone with Mary,” Von Schlieder said. “To have my name on the same list with all those other stellar nurses… I can’t tell you how humbling that was.”
“As an educator,” Von Schlieder said, “I love nothing more than helping other nurses grow whether they be fellow faculty or students. And we really do have such an excellent program here, which is evidenced in the awards our students win and the successful careers they go on to have. I stay here because I love what I do, which is impacting the lives of fellow nurses.”
About ten students and faculty from SCC attended the awards ceremony, during which current SCC student Lauren Hulbert was also honored by winning a scholarship to the BSN program at UW Bothell.
Von Schlieder was also the recipient of SCC’s Exceptional Faculty award for 2013-2014.
Another example of why the SCC nursing program is considered to be one of the best in the nation. Congratulations Lynn!