Jennifer Smith

Programs and Courses Taught

N125 Health Assessment (lecture & lab)
N127 Managing Care of Adults I/II (clinical)
 

About Me

Jennifer Smith, MSN, RN, is an assistant professor in the school of nursing program at Samuel Merritt University.  Jennifer is an alumni of Samuel Merritt, graduating in 1997 with her BSN degree.  She has spent her nursing career working as a staff nurse and a relief charge nurse in diverse specialties, including telemetry, intensive care, and post-anesthesia care units.  With her vast knowledge within the nursing profession, she decided to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse educator.

In 2016, Jennifer enrolled in the MSN program at Capella University, while continuing to work in bedside nursing care.  Towards the end of the program, she gained valuable knowledge about the nurse educator role in a preceptorship position at Samuel Merritt.  In 2019, Jennifer graduated with distinction from Capella University, and is now teaching full-time at Samuel Merritt, while still working occasionally as a staff nurse.   She is also currently a student in the Samuel Merritt DNP program, due to graduate summer of 2025.

Education

Current student at Samuel Merritt University DNP program (due to graduate summer of 2025)
2019 Capella University, MSN - specializing in nursing education
1997 Samuel Merritt College (now Samuel Merritt University), BSN  

Teaching Interests

Health Assessment, Fundamentals of Nursing

Scholarly Interests

Expanding the use of technology and simulation in nursing education.  Working on a quality improvement DNP project aimed at implementing a fall risk protocol in an ambulatory surgery setting.

Professional Affiliations & Memberships

Sigma Theta Tau (Nu Xi at-Large Chapter), American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses.

Community Service

Sigma Theta Tau Philanthropy. Volunteer work within the local community.

Honors & Awards

Graduated with distinction from Capella University.  2021 Daisy Award for Extraordinary Faculty, 2020 Faculty Hair-On-Fire Award.  Pegge Shuman Houser scholarship award recipient February 2024.