Christine Skrutowski named statewide School Nurse Administrator of the Year

A steady hand, a trusted voice

For nearly 25 years, Christine Skrutowski has been a steady presence in school health, advocating for students and supporting nurses. This year, her work was recognized statewide when she was named the 2025 School Nurse Administrator of the Year by the School Nurse Association of North Carolina.

Skrutowski, school nurse supervisor for Union County Public Schools (UCPS), was formally recognized recently at the North Carolina School Nurse Conference in Winston-Salem.

Her leadership has strengthened nursing practice across the district and improved coordination among schools, administrators and families. The award honors leaders who demonstrate excellence in administration, mentorship and advocacy for student health.

Those who work with her say the recognition reflects years of consistent performance and dedication.

“Christine leads with calm, consistency and compassion,” said Wendy Nielsen, the district's director of nursing. “She sets the standard for what school health leadership should look like.”

Skrutowski has spent 24 years in school nursing, including nine years in her current role. She oversees nursing services for approximately 14,000 students in prekindergarten through 12^th grade across the district.

Her responsibilities include supervising and mentoring school nurses, monitoring compliance with state and local health regulations and ensuring school health programs meet required standards of care.

One of her key contributions has been leading the review and development of the district’s school health manual, which outlines policies and procedures used daily by school nurses and staff. The work helps provide consistency across schools and supports safe, effective health practices.

“She does not just manage systems. She supports people,” Nielsen said. “Christine empowers nurses to feel confident in their practice while keeping student safety at the center of every decision.”

Before joining UCPS in 2007, Skrutowski held a range of health care and education roles in New Jersey. Her experience includes serving as a school nurse and kindergarten teacher, a case management nurse, an evening clinical nurse supervisor and a staff nurse in a hospital cardiac care unit.

That background informs her approach to leadership, combining clinical expertise with a strong understanding of education and team support.

“She understands the pressures nurses face because she has experienced them herself,” Nielsen said. “That perspective shapes how she leads.”

As student health needs continue to grow more complex, Skrutowski is known for her steady leadership and thoughtful decision-making. She supports nurses in managing medical plans, resolving conflicts and adapting to changing healthcare requirements while maintaining professionalism and collaboration.

While she has received recognition, her focus remains unchanged.

“It has always been about the students and the nurses who care for them,” Skrutowski said.