Muriel G. Softli, MPA, MEd, BSN, RN of Seattle received her nursing diploma from
Sacramento County Hospital, her Associate Degree from Sacramento Junior College, her
Baccalaureate in Nursing Science from the University of Washington School of Nursing, and her
Master's Degree in Public Administration and her Master's in Education from Central
Washington University and the University of Washington. When Muriel transferred her
membership form California State Nurses Association to Washington, she continued to be an
involved member of her professional association for over 42 years. She currently is a member of
the WSNA Professional Nursing Health Care Council.
Muriel has been a school nurse with the Seattle School District since 1968, providing
health services for elementary children in three to five buildings per school years. In each of
these schools, she administers the state mandated screenings of vision and hearing to every child
and scoliosis screening to grades 5 and 6. Besides caring for ill and injured children, she
administers health assessments on new students and those referred for special education. She
serves as a consultant in child abuse cases and makes referrals with follow-up to Child Protective
Services. Muriel not only provides health education for her students during her daily contact
with them, but gives presentations on health related topics in the classroom. Because of her
strong commitment to making certain that students learn about nursing early in life and how they
might consider nursing as a career, she has held nursing career classes for 5th and 6th graders.
To ensure that each child is adequately immunized, Muriel not only contacts parents
regarding immunizations their children need and the available health resources, but she also
sponsors evening clinics at school during a time when the all school parent conferences are held.
Muriel is a member of the Student Intervention Team in each of her
schools, a group that
meets each week to plan interventions for children who are having
difficulties in school. She has taught first aid classes for her school
staff after hours and on Saturdays. Muriel is one of the
elected school nurses from the Seattle School Nurses Association to
represent them in the Seattle
Education Association's Representative Assembly and as a delegate to
the annual conventions of
the Washington Education Association and the National Education
Association. In 1998, Muriel
was one of two individuals invited from the State of Washington to
participate at the
International Education Organization, which represents educators
throughout the world.
Many of Muriel's students, now adults, state that she had a strong influence on their lives.
Some, who are now professional nurses, first considered nursing during her career classes.
In June, 1970, Muriel joined the US Air Force Reserve Nurse Corp. She was stationed at
McChord Air Force Base and after 26 years, retired as Lieutenant Colonel with many
decorations. Her dedication and leadership skills were recognized by her superiors and
colleagues and she was promoted early to Chief Nurse for her unit and career advisor for flight
nurses. She served overseas during Operation Desert Storm. Muriel was able to influence many
minority nurses to make the Air Force a lifelong career. Her overseas work with the military,
such as teaching pediatric nursing care and administering measles vaccine, will have lasting
value. She is an Associate Fellow of the Aerospace Medical Association and holds a life
membership in the Air Force Reserve Officers Association.
