News

Wildcat Nurse Carrie Langley: A Passion for Practice and People Points Toward a Bright Future

Sept. 8, 2021

2021 has been a busy year for University of Arizona College of Nursing Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) student Carrie Langley, PhD, MPH, RN-BC. Not only did she finish her PhD program and began the DNP program a scant week later, but as the past  Director of Health and Social Services for Cochise County she helped lead the county’s efforts against COVID-19; adding to her track record of academic inquiry and public service, the Robert Wood Johnson scholar and Jonas Philanthropies awardee was recently appointed as a public member to the State of Arizona Committee on Probation (COP) for a two-year term. A subcommittee of the Arizona Judicial Branch, the COP examines current probation procedures with an eye toward improving quality and consistency of probation procedures statewide.


“During my career I’ve observed the deficit in services that are available for individuals, so that’s a big part of my motivation. I feel that we can do better in rural communities, and maybe I can be part of that," ~ Carrie Langley, PhD, MPH, RN-BC.


“There’s a gap between probation departments and the health care professionals,” Dr. Langley, who also holds a Master’s in Public health, says. “Coming from a perspective of public health, and as a nurse scientist, I hope to inform policy and procedure by sharing either what I learned in my research or what additional research I’m doing to really try to bridge that gap. I’d like to try to help them understand what mental health issues probationers are going through when they transition from jail to probation.”

Dr. Langley’s DNP project focuses on individuals who experience mental illness who are transitioning from jail to the rural community, making her an ideal person for her committee role. With a longstanding passion for improving access to mental health care in rural communities, Dr. Langley plans to develop an educational intervention to improve the support provided through the transition process. She will begin her process by reaching out to both probation officers and nurse practitioners and other health care providers to gauge their awareness of the other professions’ knowledge.

“What do probation officers know about what happens in primary care or mental health?” Dr. Langley says. “And then what do our mental health nurse practitioners know about probation? I’ve seen both sides now in prior work. Coming from a nursing background, I’d like to build that collaboration. My goal is to create a training program to enlighten both sides about the various requirements of both so they can collaborate to better help their patient.”

Dr. Langley’s past position as Director of Health and Social Services for Cochise County prepared her for her current role.  While serving as incident commander for the County’s COVID response efforts in Benson, Bisbee, Douglas, Sierra Vista and Wilcox, she also had the opportunity to learn about the justice system and the interworking of the jail services and how they do and don’t connect with rural communities. “Being in that position opened my eyes to managed care organizations that operate our Medicaid programs, which most individuals who are experiencing these mental health issues are involved with,” she says. “There’s a lot of complexity in those health care plans. How people can access services, and what’s paid for what isn’t, can certainly be a barrier.”

Born and raised in rural West Virginia, Dr. Langley knew she wanted to become a nurse when she was in high school. She began her career as an emergency room nurse in Fayetteville, NC. She later commissioned into the Army Nurse Corps where she served eight years in a variety of positions in clinical areas, and later, leadership roles. Since 2009, she has lived and worked in southeastern Arizona. Langley was drawn to UArizona Nursing because of its rural health focus and its strong mentorship opportunities.

“It was a joy to mentor Carrie Langley during her doctoral program at the UArizona College of Nursing,” says Marylyn Morris McEwen, PhD, RN, FAAN, Dr. Langley's academic advisor, dissertation chair and RWJF Scholars mentor. “Her dissertation research, ‘Transitions from the Rural Jail to the Rural Community for Adults with Mental Illness,’ included examination of the Arizona rural justice system. Dr. Langley will participate in examining current probation procedures, develop policies and procedures to improve quality, and promote standardization, consistency, and coordination of probation procedures statewide. Dr. Langley’s rural nursing and public health leadership has been recognized by state, regional and national organizations.”

Asked about her relentless drive to succeed in both the academic and professional realms, Dr. Langley’s response is simple. “I really enjoy helping others and I really enjoy scholarship” she says. “During my career I’ve observed the deficit in services that are available for individuals, so that’s a big part of my motivation. I feel that we can do better in rural communities, and maybe I can be part of that.” As for her passion for learning, Dr. Langley, who closed the book on her PhD program in January and started the DNP program a week later, is passionate about education’s power to improve the lives of others. 

As a recipient of a Robert Wood Johnson scholarship, which focuses on growing the next generation of nurse leaders, she knows the value of mentorship and leadership. And as an assistant professor of practice with UArizona’s School of Sociology’s Care, Health & Society program, she puts that knowledge into practice, guiding students who are interested in entering the helping professions. “I’m really interested in growing the next generation and making sure they have what they need to be successful,” she says. But beyond that, she’s interested in the health and betterment of the health professions as a whole. It’s a hard-won knowledge. “It’s something we’ve seen coming out of the pandemic,” she says. “You can burn out really easily. We have to take care of each other broadly, not just in nursing or medicine or in the hospital environment, but exclusively throughout the helping professions. That also fuels me, the belief that we have to keep people motivated to want to be in these professions.”

DNP Student Alejandra Vasquez Reflects on her Passion for Nursing and the Importance of Her Roots During Hispanic Heritage Month

Sept. 1, 2021

The theme of Hispanic Heritage Month 2021 is “Esperanza:  A Celebration of Hispanic Heritage and Hope.”  It is an open invitation to reflect on how great our tomorrow can be if we hold onto our resilience and hope and encourages us to reflect on all of the contributions Hispanics have made in the past and will continue to make in the future.  In that spirit, we caught up with University of Arizona College of Nursing Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) student Alejandra Vasquez, who will graduate this December. Vasquez told us about her nursing journey, her thoughts about the importance of diversity in the nursing workforce and her pride in her own Hispanic heritage.

Born in Ventura, California to a family of migrant farmworkers, Vasquez spent her earliest years in Southern California before her father moved the family across the border to Mexico. “Even after moving, my family continued to live as migrant farmworkers,” she says. “Every year we would go back and forth between home and different areas of southern California, chasing the seasons and the dollars.” She has fond memories of growing up, running barefoot among onion, carrot, melon, and alfalfa fields, jojoba groves, and grapevines.


“Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to relish not just in my ethnic and cultural heritage, but that of all my Hispanic brothers and sisters. The older I become and the more experiences I gain, I growingly appreciate the beauty of sharing and celebrating each other’s worlds," ~ Alejandra Vasquez, UArizona Nursing DNP Student


School in Mexico was tough but also enriching. Overcoming a challenging academic regimen, a lack of resources, and grueling summers bereft of air conditioning, coolers, or fans, Vasquez still has many positive memories. “As hard as it was, I remember every moment with so much love, and would not have it any other way,” she says. “In many ways I did not understand then, these experiences developed resilience in me.”

After completing middle school in Mexico, Vasquez sought out an American education. Thanks to sacrifices from her family, she was able to attend high school in Yuma, Ariz., which she proudly points out was the birthplace of American labor leader and civil rights activist Cesar Chavez.

Can you describe your career as a nurse?

I would describe my career as challenging, exciting, and versatile. Nursing has provided me with abundant opportunities, and it has been nothing short of amazing at every chapter. It regularly teaches me new skills and teaches me to dig deep and build character.

After college graduation, I received a position on the medical and cardiovascular ICU of our local hospital and got to live one of my career dreams of being an intensive care nurse. Three years later, the cardiac catheterization lab adopted me. Cath lab work was exciting and literally electrifying, as I had the opportunity to pioneer the electrophysiology lab of our rural yet developing hometown.

A few years later, I transitioned into the ultimate dream of my nursing career: becoming a flight nurse. After the air medical transport company employing me underwent vast organizational changes, my career path led me to dialysis and oncology nursing. Currently, I work with a very special and vulnerable population as a correctional health nurse. Here I can use all my experiences, knowledge, skills, and expertise to help a grossly underserved and marginalized population in more ways than I could’ve imagined. My role as a correctional nurse has been, by far, one of the most gratifying of career.

What led you to enter the field of higher education?

After an eight-year educational hiatus, I realized I had strayed too long from my educational path. I don’t regret breaking away for the time I did. I delved into meaningful health-related ventures, and it was during that space that I got to know myself better and learn the mental and emotional skills I have now. However, I also realized I was facing the infamous career burn out, it knew was time to approach life and work differently.

It was time to grow. I knew there was much more I could give and do for my community, and I had a responsibility to continue to set an example for my family, my peers, and my community.

What other degrees do you hold?

My bachelor’s in nursing is the highest I achieved so far. During my time away from school, however, I obtained certifications and practiced as CrossFit level I and level II and USA Olympic weightlifting level I coach. In my opinion, these are equally as important and valuable as college education granted the sources and theories behind their disciplines. Physical health, and by extension, mental fortitude is founded in what these modalities teach. To be a better human and clinician, it is important to learn and embrace the aspects on the spectrum of wellness, so that we may incorporate these into the way we practice and promote health, while pushing the needle of wellness towards fitness.

How important it is for patients to see themselves in their healthcare providers and as members of their communities?

If the patient can relate with the provider, he or she is more likely to be dedicated and involved in treatments or lifestyle changes necessary to achieve optimal wellness and improved health.

 The relationship between provider and patient is extremely pivotal for superior health and wellness across the lifespan. If the patients can relate to their providers, they are able to build a bonding connection. In this dynamic, healing goes beyond what the medical treatments and scripts dictate. I believe there is a powerful yet unseen power in a genuine relationship that reflects genuine care and interest, which can transform not just the patients’ health experience but the provider’s as well. While they are not easy to achieve or navigate, it is this type of relationship and connection that is transformative and holds potential for better healthcare beyond numbers and trends. I hope to lead healthcare to where this dynamic becomes more the norm than the pursuit of benchmarks and RVU’s.

What is the importance of Hispanic Heritage Month to you?

Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to relish not just in my ethnic and cultural heritage, but that of all my Hispanic brothers and sisters. The older I become and the more experiences I gain, I growingly appreciate the beauty of sharing and celebrating each other’s worlds. It is learning and honoring the sacrifices and successes of our ancestors. It is honoring the sacrifices and multiplying the arduous work of our parents.

It is a time to smile at the beauty of our brothers’ and sisters’ philosophies and ways of life, but also holding space for the darkness and suffering they have endured throughout time. It is a time to show understanding and support, but more importantly, promote that this celebration and respect should continue beyond just this month. It is a time to remember that we can rewrite those stories rooted in limitations and oppression which have too often been feed to us, into a future of successes and love. It is a time to remind each other that we are valuable and magnificent individually, and we are invaluable and marvelous all together.

What are your future plans?

After graduating, I will find a work environment or organization that takes genuine interest in helping me develop my professional skills and abilities to their extend and provide space for me to employ these. I will work with my surrounding rural communities to create partnerships focused on improving the health and health literacy of the underserved.  I will develop and provide opportunities for other individuals with similar backgrounds as mine through creation of a scholarship program and employment opportunities. Eventually, I will specialize in dermatology and aesthetic medicine and open a successful practice that will promote and develop self-esteem and personal development, especially in those who suffer traumas from abusive relationships. 

UArizona Health Sciences Researchers To Study Impact of Nurse Cannabis and Substance Use on Patient Care

Aug. 19, 2021

A new University of Arizona Health Sciences study will explore the use of cannabis and other substances among registered nurses and the potential effect on patient care.

Forty-seven states have some form of legalized medical cannabis, and it’s estimated that nearly 3 million Americans use it for relief from illness. Jessica Rainbow, PhD, RN, an assistant professor in the UArizona College of Nursing, received a $207,924 grant from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Center for Regulatory Excellence, which funds research that advances the science of nursing policy and regulation and builds regulatory expertise worldwide. 


Nurses in our pain study were going to incredible lengths to be able to deliver the best care for their patients regardless of the consequences for their own health and life outside of work," ~ Jessica Rainbow, PhD, RN


The two-year study, which started in July, builds on Dr. Rainbow’s prior research, which found that nurses were suffering from significant pain that was impacting their work. That pilot study suggests that nurses, as the largest group of health care providers, care for patients who are using cannabis, and that nurses are using cannabis in conjunction with other substances as treatment for their own pain.

“I hypothesize that nurses are using cannabis and other substances to cope with their work, and that these are often used to recover rather than prior to attending work,” Dr. Rainbow said. “Nurses in our pain study were going to incredible lengths to be able to deliver the best care for their patients regardless of the consequences for their own health and life outside of work.”  
 

Jessica Rainbow, PhD, RN

Prior studies have found that nurses have similar rates of substance use as the general population and are at risk for substance abuse due to access, stress and attitudes toward substance use. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased stress, anxiety, depression, fatigue and burnout among nurses. These conditions have all been linked to substance use in past studies; however, the impact of the pandemic on nurse cannabis and other substance use is currently unknown. 

The new study will address these gaps by exploring nurse use of cannabis in addition to other substance use. Dr. Rainbow, along with Shawn Gallagher, PhD, PMHCNS-BC, APRN-BC, FNP-BC, a professor in the College of Nursing, and Alicia M. Allen, PhD, MPH, an assistant professor in the UArizona College of Medicine – Tucson and member of the UArizona Health Sciences Comprehensive Pain and Addiction Center, will examine the potential impact on patient care through both a cross-sectional survey and one-on-one interviews with nurses who self-report using cannabis. 

“This study will involve a large confidential survey and interviews with a subset of survey respondents who use cannabis,” Dr. Rainbow said, adding that questions will include measures of nurse substance use and some free-response questions. “As part of the survey, we will ask participants to complete a schedule of the prior week and include when they worked and when they used substances.”

The findings of this study may provide valuable information about how nurses are currently using cannabis and other substances, and the potential impact of use on patient care. These data can inform the development of cannabis use regulations, and diversion and educational programs for nurses in this changing state and federal landscape.

The study aligns with the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Center for Regulatory Excellence’s research priorities of “impact of legalized marijuana” and “substance use disorders in nursing.” 

“The National Council of State Boards of Nursing is interested in nurse cannabis use because of the changes in cannabis legalization across the United States and the implications for state boards of nursing,” Dr. Rainbow said. “Our findings may guide future regulations, and hopefully interventions, to address any work-related issues that are leading to nurse substance use in a way that impacts patient care and is detrimental to their own health.

“For my research,” she added, “this will guide what kind of work system interventions I build to improve the work lives and health of nurses.”

Dr. Rainbow’s research seeks to improve systems, such as hospitals, to improve nurse health and safety, which will ultimately improve the patient care they provide. 

UArizona Nursing Class of 2021: Karla Teran

Aug. 9, 2021

University of Arizona College of Nursing student Karla Teran began her nursing journey because of her innate passion for helping others. “Being at the hospital and being able to help those in need makes my heart happy,” she explains. A native of Mexico, Teran will graduate with her Master of Science for Entry to the Profession of Nursing (MEPN), which is tailor made for students holding university degrees in other fields who want to become registered nurses.

In addition to her academic endeavors, Teran has also excelled as a UArizona student athlete, demonstrating solid skills in Track & Field. In May, 2019, she won the ladies high jump championship at the Pac-12 Track & Field Championships with a clearance of 1.88m (6-2).

We caught up with Karla recently to learn more about her time in the MEPN program and her thoughts about her bright post-graduation future.


I was a huge fan of the Wildcats growing up. I would come to the university and compete at their track meets and see myself one day wearing the UA uniform. I always knew I wanted to pursue nursing and when I looked at the UArizona nursing website I was impressed by their programs and how they helped students succeed here," ~ Karla Teran, MEPN Student


Why did you choose UArizona Nursing to pursue your studies?

I was a huge fan of the Wildcats growing up. I would come to the university and compete at their track meets and see myself one day wearing the UA uniform. I always knew I wanted to pursue nursing and when I looked at the UArizona nursing website I was impressed by their programs and how they helped students succeed here.

How have your academic studies been in the context of being an international student?

It was completely a challenge for me, as I grew up in Mexico and didn't know the language. I started learning English approximately six months before I came to study at the University of Arizona. My freshman year was a struggle with the language barrier. Everyone was very supportive and I couldn't have done it without all the people that supported me.

Can you share a bit about your experience as a student athlete? Has that discipline fed into your nursing studies in any form?

Being a student athlete at UArizona was an amazing experience that I would never change. It was certainly hard for me to miss classes sometimes and have to catch up while traveling, but it was all worth it. As an athlete, I got to meet many people who I now consider my family. I also believe being a student athlete helped me grow up as a person and be more confident in who I am outside of school and the track. Being part of the track team has helped me develop my time management, communication, motivation, teamwork, and organizational skills. All which I applied while in nursing school.

What does it mean to you to be a Wildcat Nurse?

Being a Wildcat Nurse means the world to me. I will and will always be a Wildcat in my heart. I learned so much and had so many experiences while studying at UArizona, which I will always appreciate.

What are your plans for the future?

After I graduate, my goal is to pass the NCLEX and start working on and intensive care unit. My dream is to be able to work in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and further develop my skills. Later on in the future I plan to go back to school and obtain a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).

$1.9M Grant to Boost Behavioral Health Care Providers in Rural, Medically Underserved Communities

Aug. 2, 2021

A new University of Arizona Health Sciences program will increase the number of trained, licensed behavioral health professionals available to provide care in rural, border, and medically underserved communities in Arizona.

Funded by a $1.9 million Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training grant from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration, the program will prepare the next generation of integrated mental health care teams by placing psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner students and psychology interns in nine training sites that provide integrated care. Many of the sites focus on children and adolescents, and all are culturally and linguistically diverse.

The program will be jointly managed by UArizona College of Nursing Clinical Assistant Professor Sara Edmund, DNP, RN, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC, and Jordan F. Karp, MD, professor and chair of the College of Medicine – Tucson’s Department of Psychiatry.


“The synergistic approach in training psychiatric nurse practitioner doctoral students together with psychology doctoral interns will prepare them to provide integrated care within teams. In doing so, it leverages the expertise of the College of Nursing and the College of Medicine – Tucson in our shared missions,” ~ Sara Edmund, DNP, RN, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC


“This program will have a tremendous impact on the preparation of mental health professionals working in community clinical settings,” Dr. Edmund said. “The synergistic approach in training psychiatric nurse practitioner doctoral students together with psychology doctoral interns will prepare them to provide integrated care within teams. In doing so, it leverages the expertise of the College of Nursing and the College of Medicine – Tucson in our shared missions."

Sara Edmund, DNP, RN, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC, is Clinical Assistant Professor at the UArizona College of Nursing

Each cohort will experience 12-month longitudinal tracks that align with the purpose of the program and the trainee’s professional interests.

“The increased prevalence of mental illness and needs for both prevention and treatment are outpacing the current availability of licensed mental health professionals,” Dr. Karp said. “This award responds to this dual crisis by training mental health professionals from different disciplines to provide effective team-based care. Our unique approach to multidisciplinary education and training puts the University of Arizona Health Sciences in the vanguard for improving access to behavioral health care.”

Jordan F. Karp, MD, is professor and chair of the College of Medicine – Tucson’s Department of Psychiatry

For each track, trainees will be integrated into the partner site’s care team to learn best practices in multidisciplinary care. Focus areas at the partner sites include child and adolescent mental health, rural and underserved areas, substance use, and late-life mental health. With the current and anticipated effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in mind, training in telehealth will be prioritized.

“There is a great need to respond to the paucity of health care providers prepared to care for those with mental illness in Arizona and nationally,” said UArizona College of Nursing Dean Ki Moore, PhD, RN, FAAN. “The Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training program will serve as a major education and training platform for a cohort of psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners and PhD-level psychologists who are committed to training in underserved and culturally diverse areas with high levels of poverty, substance use, adverse childhood experiences and an alarming increase in suicides compared to 2019.”

UArizona Nursing Class of 2021: Emily Franks

July 28, 2021

Meet University of Arizona Nursing student Emily Franks, who will graduate from the College’s Master of Science for Entry to the Profession of Nursing (MEPN) program in August 2021.

An inquisitive, hardworking scholar with a soaring GPA that reflects her drive to succeed, Emily first earned a degree in Business Management from Eller College of Management in 2006. She worked her way up the ladder at Starbucks as a store manager and trainer before deciding to return to school for nursing. “Having worked in customer service for over 14 years, I was privy to deep human connection on a regular basis,” she says. “Yet, over the years, I developed a sense that I wanted to make a greater impact in my community”

Both her mother and sister are also UArizona nursing alumna, which makes Emily proud to point out, “I’m a Wildcat through and through.”

We caught up with Emily recently to learn more about her time in the MEPN program and her thoughts about her bright future.


“I will be among some of the finest nurses. I will always look back at my time as a nursing student fondly. I have made lifelong connections with other amazing Wildcat Nurses, and I am honored to be a part of such a prestigious alumnus,” ~ Emily Franks, UArizona Nursing Class of 2021 


Why did you choose to pursue a career in nursing?

There seemed to be many forces guiding me toward the path of nursing, starting with the birth of my daughter. Almost 10 years ago, when I was pregnant with my first-born, my water broke unexpectedly before my due date. When I was a patient in the hospital, above all else what I remember was the nurse who provided me care. When my situation became more emergent, which I only know to be emergent now, the nurse was so calm yet took swift action. Looking back on that time, I remember feeling cared for and safe. It was at that time that I wanted to be able to provide that feeling to others as well.

Why did you choose UArizona Nursing’s MEPN program to further your education?

The program was ideal for my family situation, as it offered the possibility for be to not only pursue a career in nursing but also remain in Tucson and receive a Master’s degree. My kiddos were settled into a school they loved and moving was not an option. Also, I knew I wanted to take the swiftest route to achieving my goal of becoming a nurse. In 2019, when I left my job at Starbucks, I needed to fulfill numerous prerequisites to even be eligible to apply to the MEPN program, which would take about a year. MEPN offered a Master’s in addition to being able to become an RN. It was really the perfect opportunity for me, and I am so grateful.

As both a mom and a student, have you faced any particular challenges?

As all moms are, I am used to wearing many hats. In fact, because my experience of going to nursing coincided with the Covid-19 pandemic, we were all forced to wear even more hats – teacher, coach, etc. However, I would honestly say these challenges were not unique to me, and, like many parents, I have a reinvigorated respect for teachers and the work they do for our kids. Yet, I will say that the greatest challenge for me was recalibrating expectations of myself, knowing this ‘new normal’ was only temporary. I can also say honestly that none of this would have been possible with the support of my husband, friends, and family.

What are your biggest takeaways from your time in the program?

It has taught me just how much I truly can accomplish when I set my mind to it. Also, I have learned the value of prioritization and acceptance of myself doing the best work I can. Additionally, when I look at my kiddos and tell them they can be whatever they want to be, I am proud of the example I have been able to set that it’s never too late to be want you want to be, even it’s hard, even if you’re afraid.

What does it mean to you to be a Wildcat Nurse?

This is a title I will wear proudly. I know I will be among some of the finest nurses. I will always look back at my time as a nursing student fondly. I have made lifelong connections with other amazing Wildcat Nurses, and I am honored to be a part of such a prestigious alumnus.

What are your plans for the future?

I have accepted a position at Northwest Medical Center in the Acute Care Telemetry unit, where I will begin working following graduation. I found a passion for cardiac nursing throughout my experiences in this program, and I hope to one day work in a cardiovascular ICU. In the future, I hope to take on a role that provides me the opportunity to draw on my management experience as well. I also hope to one day pursue an educator pathway, whether it be as a preceptor on my unit or even as a clinical instructor for a program like MEPN. 

Student Spotlight: Rosalinda Chipollini

July 22, 2021

Soon-to-be University of Arizona College of Nursing alumna Rosalinda Chipollini chose to pursue a career in nursing for a time-honored reason: because she always wanted to help people – particularly society’s most vulnerable members. Currently enrolled in the College’s RN to MSN Clinical Systems Leadership program, she will graduate in August 2021. Prior to her latest educational endeavors Chipollini worked as a nurse for 12 years before deciding she wished to further her education in a non-clinical role. After seeing a newspaper advertisement for the program, she was immediately interested. “A lot of my peers graduated from UArizona Nursing,” she says. “They spoke very highly of their Wildcat Nurse experience and were very talented bedside nurses.”


“I believe it is important to support community organizations which inspire people to grow and achieve their goals. I was so influenced by my experience at UArizona Nursing, I want to give others the same opportunity to experience a University of Arizona education,” ~ Rosalinda Chipollini, RN to MSN Clinical Systems Leadership Student


How would you describe your experience over the course of the program?

My experience with UArizona Nursing’s CSL has been exceptional. Every faculty member I have encountered has created a conducive learning environment. Questions are always encouraged, and students are never criticized when sharing their opinions or experiences. Faculty members are supportive of all needs students may have, even those outside of the education realm. I felt the program’s curriculum helped me discover my strengths and weaknesses. This self-discovery helped to reignite my passion for the nursing profession.

What faculty made the biggest impressions on you?

All of them? If I had to name three off the top of my head: Cheryl Lacasse, Kim Blumenfeld, and Dr. Timian Godfrey.  These faculty members were inspiring, thought provoking, honest, patient, and passionate.

Can you share a favorite memory from your time at the College of Nursing?

My favorite College of Nursing memory involves taking graduation photos on campus. In May, the scholarship program I am involved with asked all nursing student graduates to take graduation photos on campus. I was the only graduate student. I was dressed very conservatively and had a serious, untalkative attitude. The baccalaureate students were dressed casually and could not hide their extreme excitement. Their joy to become nurses was palpable. I couldn’t help but laugh and remember how I excited I was when I earned my BSN. They shared their positive energy with me, and I made amazing memories that day. 

What makes you proudest about the work you do?

I am proud to be a nurse because I am part of a profession which practices compassion every day and always serves every community member.

You recently honored the UArizona Nursing with a generous financial gift. What inspired you to give back to the College?

I believe it is important to support community organizations which inspire people to grow and achieve their goals. I was so influenced by my experience at UArizona Nursing, I want to give others the same opportunity to experience a University of Arizona education.

What are your hopes for the future?

After graduation, I am going to continue my UArizona Nursing education in the DNP Executive Health Systems Leadership program. Ultimately, I hope to work with the federal government drafting healthcare policies aimed at serving the underserved population.

UArizona Nursing Professor's Tai Chi Research Shows Promise for Relief of Depression and Anxiety in Stroke Survivors

July 7, 2021

A feasibility study conducted by University of Arizona College of Nursing professor Ruth E Taylor-Piliae, PhD, RN, FAHA, FAAN has suggested that tai chi has the potential to reduce depression, anxiety and stress plus improve sleep in people who have had a stroke. The research was presented at the EuroHeartCare – ACNAP Congress 2021, an online scientific congress of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).

Depression occurs in approximately one-third of stroke survivors and is linked with greater disability and mortality rates. Individuals with post-stroke depression frequently also report anxiety, stress, and poor sleep.

Tai chi focuses on releasing tension in the body, incorporating mindfulness and imagery into movement, increasing awareness and efficiency of breathing, and promoting overall relaxation of body and mind.


“Mind-body interventions are commonly used among adults to lessen depressive symptoms. Tai chi practice allows the individual to quiet the mind by dwelling in the present and setting aside unnecessary negative emotions, such as depression,” ~ Ruth E Taylor-Piliae , PhD, RN, FAHA, FAAN


“Mind-body interventions are commonly used among adults to lessen depressive symptoms,” said Dr. Taylor-Piliae. “Tai chi practice allows the individual to quiet the mind by dwelling in the present and setting aside unnecessary negative emotions, such as depression.”

Dr. Taylor-Piliae’s study examined the feasibility of using tai chi in people with previous stroke. A total of 11 stroke survivors reporting depression symptoms were enrolled in the study. They were on average 70 years old, and 55% were men.

Ruth E Taylor-Piliae , PhD, RN, FAHA, FAAN

All stroke survivors attended the tai chi intervention classes, three times each week, for a total of eight weeks. The intervention had been planned for 12 weeks but was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Each class consisted of a 10-minute warm-up period, 40-minutes of tai chi exercise, and a 10-minute cool-down period. Participants were gradually taught 24 basic movements from the Wu style of tai chi (an average of two new movements per week).

Measurements were taken at the start of the study and repeated after the eight-week intervention. Symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress were assessed using standardized questionnaires. Sleep was assessed during night-time using a triaxial accelerometer, which detects movement. Specifically, the researchers examined sleep efficiency (percentage of time spent sleeping), the amount of time awake after initially being asleep, and the total time awake after going to bed.

After eight weeks of tai chi, the researchers observed significant reductions in symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress compared to baseline, along with better sleep efficiency, less wakefulness after sleep onset, and less time awake.

“At baseline the participants reported mild to moderate symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress,” Dr. Taylor-Piliae said. “I was surprised and pleased with the improvements we observed in these self-reported symptoms and in sleep with just an eight-week intervention.”

The researchers also took blood samples at baseline and eight weeks to measure markers of oxidative stress and inflammation which have previously been associated with post-stroke depression. They found lower activity of the oxidative stress marker after the intervention but no significant changes in any of the inflammatory markers.

“Our ultimate goal is to see whether tai chi lowers depressive symptoms in stroke survivors and also improves biochemical markers associated with depression,” Dr. Taylor-Piliae explained. “The results of this feasibility study should be interpreted with caution because of the small sample size and lack of a control group. More research is needed before recommendations can be made about tai chi for people who have had a stroke. We hope to do a randomized trial with a 12-week tai chi intervention in a larger group of patients.”

UArizona Nursing Alumnus Lieutenant Colonel Pedro Oblea, Aims to Make Masks More Comfortable for HealthCare Workers

June 21, 2021

Since completing his PhD at the University of Arizona College of Nursing in 2014, Lieutenant Colonel Pedro Oblea, PhD, RN has distinguished himself as one of the military’s star nurse scientists. Frequently on the move in pursuit of new knowledge and experience, his duties have taken him to locales as diverse as, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Landstuhl, Germany; and Womack Army Medical Center, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. In October, 2020, he was promoted to the position as Chief, Center for Nursing Science and Clinical Inquiry, Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, Hawaii.

An active duty military officer for nearly 18 years, Dr. Oblea was deployed to Iraq twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, as an ICU Nurse and as a Brigade Nurse. His research has focused on the effects of short-term separation on the behavioral health of military wives and a groundbreaking investigation into the experiences and challenges impacting the health and readiness of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) military service members. Currently, Dr. Oblea is embarking on a new study, under review by the Military Institutional Review Board – funded by a $158,000 grant from the TriService Nursing Research Program (TSNRP) – to study N95-respirators.


“The process of earning a PhD is all about learning how to become a scientist, but the University of Arizona offers elective courses that prepare doctoral students for a career in leadership and management,” ~ Lieutenant Colonel Pedro Oblea, PhD, RN


His interest in the project dates to his time at Fort Bragg, when an officer in charge of a deployed unit told him that military nurses were experiencing facial skin breakdown caused by the constant mask requirements. “As a nurse scientist, I was intrigued,” he said. Looking for evidence or gaps in knowledge, he reviewed the literature for possible treatments and clinical practice guidelines to prevent skin breakdown related to wearing N95 respirators. “To my surprise, very few research articles have been published on this topic,” he said. “Epidemiological studies have revealed that healthcare workers who wear N95 masks suffer from acne, facial dermatitis, and pigmentation of the nasal bridge, cheeks, and chin. I decided to write a research grant for possible funding.”

The study – which is scheduled to last until February, 2022 – will employ a non-blinded, randomized, three-period crossover design with two active treatments (faceplate and cream) and a control group. Each study participant will serve as their own control for comparison with the received interventions, eliminating the influence of selection bias. Participants will use the hydrocolloid skin protectant under their N95 masks, a dimethicone cream application, or no hydrocolloid barrier based on the randomization.

Lieutenant Colonel Pedro Oblea, PhD, RN

“I expect the hydrocolloid skin protectant, which is strong yet thin enough to allow a good seal when donning a N95 respirator, will reduce skin breakdown in the facial area and improve PPE protocol adherence,” Dr. Oblea said, noting that it is still too early to do more than speculate about possible results. 

In his new position as Chief, Center for Nursing Science and Clinical Inquiry at Tripler Army Medical Center, Dr. Oblea has a host of important responsibilities.  The Center has one of the largest military hospitals in the Pacific and falls within Regional Health Command – Pacific, which oversees medical, dental, and public health facilities on the West Coast of the United States as well as in Alaska, Hawaii, Japan, and South Korea. Its operational space spans 36 countries and encompasses more than 4,500 miles across five time zones. Dr. Oblea’s primary responsibility is to provide oversight and facilitation for nursing research and evidence-based practice projects. “I supervise a staff of nurse scientists, doctorally prepared clinical nurse specialists, and research coordinators,” he said, adding that he oversees and engages in research and evidence-based practice execution, mentorship, and education. “I also provide consultations and decision support. Ultimately, I encourage and establish collaborations with military and civilian university students and staff while also participating in organizational development initiatives.”

Dr. Oblea cites the mentorship and guidance he received as a PhD student at UArizona Nursing as providing inspiration for his leadership role. “I still ask my faculty advisor and dissertation chair, Dr. Terry A. Badger, for advice when I need to make decisions and fine-tune research questions,” he said. “The process of earning a PhD is all about learning how to become a scientist, but the University of Arizona offers elective courses that prepare doctoral students for a career in leadership and management.”

Dr. Oblea’s magnanimous view of his responsibilities are inspiring and embody the qualities that distinguish so many of our Wildcat Nurses. “When I was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, my focus changed from ‘self-serving’ to ‘service to others,’ meaning that I no longer put my own career first, but instead focused on how to help others achieve their goals, accomplish their mission, and perform better in their jobs,” he said. “I believe that, when my soldiers excel in their jobs and succeed in their missions, it will reflect my leadership and management style in the long run.”

Alumna Spotlight: Dr. Danielle Piar Receives American College of Cardiology Poster Award

June 17, 2021

Danielle Piar, DNP, MSN, AG-ACNP, ANP-C, AACC, has come a long way since her childhood on an Ohio farm. Her nursing journey has led from those rustic origins to a noteworthy 25-year career in health care. A recent graduate of the University of Arizona College of Nursing’s Doctor of Nursing Practice Adult Geriatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (DNP AG-ACNP) program, Dr. Piar initially wanted to be a large animal veterinarian. When she realized she couldn’t work with animals in that capacity, she set her sights on a career in health care. “My mother was a nuclear medicine technician and when I was young, I always enjoyed going to the hospital with her on the weekends,” she says. “My mother’s career definitely influenced me to pursue healthcare and at 19-years of age I changed my major to nursing.”

A nurse practitioner in cardiovascular medicine for 17 years, Dr. Piar chose to focus her DNP project on pre-procedural frailty assessment and length of hospital stay in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement. Dr. Piar’s poster presentation to the American College of Cardiology (ACC) was on May 25, 2021. The ACC was impressed enough to award her the College's Cardiology CV Team Section’s APRN work group poster award. The abstract was from her DNP quality improvement project while attending the University of Arizona and titled "Frailty measures in patients being evaluated for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement"


“Being the winner of the American College of Cardiology Advanced Practice Registered Nursing poster presentation solidifies that I can perform quality metrics as a nurse practitioner, and I should not put boundaries on my professional abilities. Nor should anyone else!” ~ Danielle Piar, DNP, MSN, AG-ACNP, ANP-C, AACC


What drew you to the UArizona College of Nursing?

The University of Arizona is a center for academic excellence and the College of Nursing continually ranked amongst the best in the nation.

What drew you to the AGACNP DNP program?

I initially came to the UArizona College of Nursing in fall 2016 as a post-graduate Adult Geriatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP) certification student. I had been an Adult Nurse Practitioner for 15-years in cardiovascular medicine and needed to uphold the scholarship of practice which required the AG-ACNP licensure. I met Dr. Rene Love at the Resident Intensive Student Education (RISE), and she immediately told me ‘You need to be in one of the doctoral programs.  You are doctoral material and you can begin this semester.’ I went home that night and thought about her recommendation for me to pursue a doctoral degree with the needed nurse practitioner certification.  The next day when I returned to RISE, I chose to enroll in the Doctoral of Nursing Practice degree with AG-ACNP track. The rest is history!

How would you describe your experience over the course of the program?

My experience in the UArizona Nursing DNP AG-ACNP program was nothing short of life changing.  The faculty, administrative assistants and university learning centers provided me with the skills, knowledge, and expertise to become a nurse practitioner with a much stronger foundation in research and clinical practice. On a personal level, the program helped me to develop a wholistic world view and a stronger self-identity.

Can you share a favorite memory from your time at the College of Nursing?

I had the opportunity to speak at RISE 2019, as the Graduate Assistant for Dr. Rother’s advanced nursing statistic course. As a working nurse practitioner who was enrolled in the program, I spoke to the entering DNP students about the importance of this course in clinical practice. It was fabulous to be part of such a phenomenal team. 

Can you describe your research interests and what led to your award-winning poster presentation?

I had been a nurse practitioner in cardiovascular medicine for 17 years and during this time attended many cardiovascular conferences, and in 2018 was awarded my Associate of the American College of Cardiology (AACC). I have a passion for exercise, and have personally completed several half-marathons, Ragnar-relay races, and century bike rides. When I started to design my quality improvement project, I simply combined these two interests. The UArizona College of Nursing has not seen the last of me. I plan to return for more education to complete further research on this topic!

What does it mean to you to receive the American College of Cardiology poster award?

Being the winner of the American College of Cardiology Advanced Practice Registered Nursing poster presentation solidifies that I can perform quality metrics as a nurse practitioner, and I should not put boundaries on my professional abilities. Nor should anyone else!

What are your hopes for the future?

To continue to practice as a DNP and to conduct research that will improve outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disease.