Lytle honored for leadership talents with school nurse administrator award

May 6, 2026

Nebraska school nurses paid tribute to Megan Lytle this spring for her talented and trustworthy work at Lincoln Public Schools.
 
Lytle received the Nebraska School Nurses Association (NSNA) School Nurse Administrator of the Year Award. She earned the statewide honor for her expertise in health services management, health education, professional learning and community involvement. She is responsible for many administrative and leadership duties as a health services coordinator at LPS.
 
Lytle said her career is rewarding because of the opportunities to help others.
 
“There is a lot to enjoy!” Lytle said. “I enjoy mentoring other school nurses and health services staff to grow their practice, I love working with teams to problem solve, and I love working with our district teams to improve existing systems or build better systems to serve the students of LPS.”

 
LPS Director of Health Services Wendy Rau said Lytle has become a trusted voice for school nurses both in Nebraska and beyond. She works with more than 60 LPS school nurses on everything from performance appraisals to Heart Safe School initiatives, and she shapes district standards through the development of high-impact courses.
 
“Megan’s commitment to lifelong learning and professional service establishes her as a pre-eminent voice in school nursing, not just within Nebraska, but on a national stage,” Rau said. “She does not merely participate in the professional community, she actively shapes its future through leadership and the dissemination of specialized knowledge.”
 
Sara Stoner works with Lytle as a fellow health services coordinator at LPS. She said Lytle is an exceptional school nurse administrator because of her student-centered focus and visionary leadership style.
 
“She is a powerhouse advocate for the profession at both the state and national levels, yet she remains deeply rooted in her love for Lincoln and LPS,” Stoner said. “Megan’s approach is uniquely balanced. She utilizes a data-driven, quality-improvement lens to ensure excellence, while simultaneously prioritizing staff wellness and mentorship.”
 
Lytle began her nursing career intending to work in pediatrics. She initially thought a hospital was the only place that was possible, but a trip to a local school changed her life’s pathway.
 
“During nursing school clinicals, I was given the opportunity to work in a school, and as soon as I was in the building, I just knew that this was a place that I wanted to be,” Lytle said. “I loved being able to support students to be successful at school.”

 
Lytle joined LPS in 2015 and made an immediate impact at Huntington Elementary School. She earned the Nebraska School Nurse of the Year Award in 2020 for her work with students, teachers and families. She said her time at Huntington strengthened her nursing and leadership skills.
 
“As one of the only health care professionals in the building, you can offer valuable insight and health education to students, families and school staff,” Lytle said. “As the school nurse, you have lots of opportunities for communication, and sometimes that can come with conflict resolution or reaching mutual understanding. You work with many people as part of a multidisciplinary approach and develop a better understanding of everyone’s roles and viewpoints.”
 
One of Lytle’s main responsibilities is staff oversight and education. She has guided smooth rollouts of training materials, introduced digital services and led dozens of professional learning sessions.
 
“Megan serves as a primary architect of professional growth within the district, acting as a vital bridge between clinical health and holistic student wellness,” Rau said. “Her influence extends far beyond her immediate role, as she translates complex medical and psychological concepts into actionable strategies for school nurses and health staff alike.”

 
Those achievements have overflowed beyond Lincoln, like sharing professional expertise with other school nurses. NSNA Past President Jessica Truman said she has enjoyed working with Lytle on many statewide projects.
 
“During the time Megan and I have served together on the NSNA Board of Directors, I have had the opportunity to witness her strong work ethic, thoughtful decision-making and passion for advancing the profession of school nursing,” Truman said. “While many people are comfortable continuing processes simply because ‘that’s how they’ve always been done,’ Megan is not afraid to question current practices and advocate for improvements that better support school nurses and students alike.”
 
Lytle often presents at National Association of School Nurses (NASN) conferences, and those networking opportunities have paid dividends back home. She has returned with many ideas for improving health services for Nebraska students.
 
“Through her dual role as a high-level administrator and a national presenter, Megan ensures that the latest evidence-based practices flow directly from national conferences back to local school health offices,” Rau said. “Her service to professional organizations ensures that Nebraska’s school nurses have a seat at the table in national health policy and educational reform conversations.”
 
“Megan is highly organized, forward-thinking and able to see the bigger picture while still paying attention to important details,” Truman said. “Megan has been a wonderful thought partner for me whether we are discussing items for NSNA or ways to improve health services processes within our school districts.”
 
Stoner said Lytle’s caring personality has instilled both trust and confidence throughout the LPS school nurse community.
 
“What I enjoy most about working with her each day is her genuine investment in professional growth,” Stoner said. “She ensures that all staff are thoroughly prepared for any task through dedicated education, and her infectious positive attitude turns even the most challenging days into opportunities for progress.”
 
Learn how health services professionals like Megan Lytle help LPS students each day.
 
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