Cheryl

Certified Tutor

I received my BSN from Valparaiso University and started my first position in the Pediatric Intensive Care unit at Children's Memorial (now Lurie Children's) in Chicago. My MSN in Parent Child Health Nursing from Rush Univerisity started my career path as a Clinical Nurse Specialist and Staff Educator at Larabida Children's in Chicago. I love working with Special Needs Children and their parents, helping them to understand the needs of their children. I expanded my practice to pediatric home care with high tech kids on ventilators, feeding tubes and other equipment. I loved teaching other nurses, caregivers, and parents about kids and approaching them at their developmental level. My leadership skills have been used as an Assistant Director, Coordinator and Director of Home Health Services and Education.

My adult nursing experience includes ER where I loved the role of triaging. I also have adult home health care, hospice care and public/community health experience especially working with immunization programs and senior health centers. At the core of my professional practice is always patient and family education.

When I became an Assistant Clinical Professor at Valparaiso University, I loved my role of assisting students with their assessment skills and application of the nursing process. I enjoy working with older students who may have life experiences and other degrees that they bring to their nursing education. I try to share my passion for nursing with traditional students as they prepare to become part of the future workforce. I enjoy tutoring students, helping them to understand the didactic content and applying it to the clinical scenario. When students become confident and competent in their knowledge, I love seeing the change in their nursing practice! It's like seeing the "lightbulbs" turn on. I have mentored students in pediatric nursing including the school nurse role, OB nursing, Critical care nursing in ICU and ER, and public health nursing including prisons, home health and hospice, wound care centers, and Native American communities. Travel abroad nursing opportunity included the different types of health care in Thailand and England. I obtained my DNP while teaching full time at VU. I have accepted early retirement and have Emeritus status at Valparaiso University. Now I would love to help you become the nurse you want to be by strengthening your weak areas and increasing your understanding of the extensive content you face this semester. I also help students see the value of implementing self-care and stress reduction techniques. My schedule is flexible and can vary from posted hours. Just tell me when you are available.

I continue to serve my community by volunteering with the local Visiting Nurse Association as a Meals on Wheels driver, and the Phoenix Center, a place for children and families to learn to cope with grief. I serve as a Stephen Minister as a caregiver in my Lutheran church.