SCHOLAR DIRECTORY

I am currently enrolled in the Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD) Program at University of Virginia to begin Fall 2018. My current research interests include preventing Heart Failure re-admissions through improved patient education of self-care practices, as well as engaging the busy bedside nurse in utilizing evidenced based practices for Heart Failure education to improve consistency and thoroughness of education given. I graduated in 2013 with my BSN from George Mason University and commissioned through ROTC into the Army as a Second Lieutenant and was assigned to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas on a Cardiac Telemetry unit for 3 years. While on the unit I became passionate about educating Veterans about Heart Failure as there were many patients that admitted repeatedly for exacerbation of their condition, many as a result of a knowledge deficit of self-care practices. After being awarded BAMC RN of the Year in 2016, I was featured in an Army Recruitment video for Army Nursing entitled Life as a U.S. Army Nurse, that can be found on YouTube, where I briefly explain the project this passion led to. After 3 years I was assigned to Fort Leonard Wood, MO in a community hospital on a Medical Surgical Adult and Pediatric Unit where I served as the Assistant Head Nurse. This new role allowed for leadership development and peer collaboration as well as insight into the power of policy and continuing nursing education on patient outcomes and nursing turnover.