In many ways, a successful nursing career depends on the quality of education and hands-on experience nursing students receive while in school. To this end, expert faculty members are essential to the graduation and subsequent success of proficient nurses.
While all Davenport University nursing faculty continuously work to keep their knowledge and skills up-to-date, some opt to take their training a few steps further to obtain a doctorate degree. Read on to learn more about the areas of expertise of four Davenport University nursing leaders and faculty who have recently earned doctorate degrees.
Amy Stahley, Ph.D. – Associate Dean for Nursing, College of Health Professions
The Lived Experience of Post-Licensure Nurses in a Perioperative Clinical Rotation
Amy Stahley serves as the Associate Dean for Nursing in the College of Health Professions at Davenport University. She leads to ensure the achievement of accreditation and the university’s strategic goals. Stahley has gained a variety of experience over her 35 years in diverse nursing roles. She has been a circulating nurse, neurosurgical physician extender, nurse clinician and a nurse educator.
In January 2019, Stahley completed her Ph.D. in nursing education at Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. She conducted her doctoral research study on the workforce of perioperative nurses retiring by 2024, which will create an inability to meet the nursing needs of the U.S. population. Her project is titled, “The Lived Experience of Post-Licensure Nurses in a Perioperative Clinical Rotation.”
Jessica Abernathy, DNP – Lead Instructor, Family Nurse Practitioner Program
The Impact of EMR Provider Reminder of Tdap Vaccinations Among Pregnant Women
Jessica Abernathy joined Davenport University in 2015. Abernathy serves as a lead instructor in the family nurse practitioner program. In this role, she is heavily engaged in course development and evaluation.
Abernathy’s area of expertise focuses on obstetrics, gynecology and family practice with interests in adolescent gynecology, care of vulnerable populations, obesity and improving maternal health.
In August of 2018, Abernathy earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree from Wilmington University in New Castle, DE. She conducted her doctoral research study on the increasing rates of Tdap vaccination in pregnant women by utilizing an electronic medical record (EMR) reminder. Her project is titled, “The Impact of EMR Provider Reminder of Tdap Vaccinations Among Pregnant Women.”
Janine R. Blakeslee, Ed.D. – Nursing Instructor, College of Health Professions
Effects of High-Fidelity Simulation on the Critical Thinking Skills of Baccalaureate Nursing Students
Janine Blakeslee joined Davenport University in the fall of 2011. Her teaching specialty is medical-surgical in classroom, clinical and simulation settings. Blakeslee’s teaching format focuses on active learning and encouraging critical thinking in her students. She earned Davenport’s Excellence in Teaching Award in 2015 for this methodology. Blakeslee loves teaching the theoretical side of nursing as well as the hands-on side during clinical rotations.
In February 2019, Blakeslee completed her Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree with a focus on college teaching and learning from Walden University in Minneapolis, MN. Blakeslee’s doctoral project examined teaching strategies that increase critical thinking skills of nursing students.
Strong critical thinking skills of nurses are paramount for improved patient outcomes, patient safety and successful passing of the National Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Her project is titled, “Effects of High-Fidelity Simulation on the Critical Thinking Skills of Baccalaureate Nursing Students.”
Sharon Long, Ph.D., FNP-BC – Assistant Professor, College of Health
Diabetes Prevention Program: Exploring Spirituality and Spiritual Interventions on Outcomes
Sharon Long has been a full-time faculty member at Davenport University since 2010. Long teaches undergraduate nursing students at Davenport’s Warren campus. Davenport’s BSN in nursing prepares students for licensing exams and builds a solid foundation for your future in nursing. She also served the Detroit campus’ College of Business in the health administration track part-time for four years.
Long’s area of expertise is health and wellness with a focus on nutrition and lifestyle management for patients with diabetes and obesity. Long has been a family nurse practitioner (FNP) for 30 years. She practices and precepts FNP students one day a week at an urgent care/family practice clinic in Washington, MI.
In April 2018, Long completed her Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary health sciences at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI. Her doctoral research project studied the spirituality and religiosity in coaches and adults involved in a diabetes prevention program to measure the impact on weight loss, physical activity and A1C. Her project is titled, “Diabetes Prevention Program: Exploring Spirituality and Spiritual Interventions on Outcomes.”
Congratulations to the nursing leaders and faculty who’ve recently earned doctorate degrees – your expertise helps Davenport provide a quality education to all of its nursing students.
Learn more about Davenport’s nursing and health professions programs here >
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