Wake Forest Academic Nursing

🔊 Listen to DNP candidate Michelle Lundy, a nurse practitioner at Atrium Health Wake Forest Brenner Children's Emergency Department, discuss her sit and hear project aimed at improving patient experiences. 👏 Amazing work Michelle!

Here's the Sit-uation Podcast Episode · First Best Nurse · S7 Bonus · 18m

Join us online tomorrow at 12 Noon (EST) to learn more about our Post-Master's to DNP program!

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Considering your next step in nursing leadership? Join us on January 28, 2026, for a focused, engaging overview of the Post‑Master’s to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program.

In this one‑hour webinar, we’ll highlight key program features, what sets our DNP experience apart, and how it can support your growth as an advanced practice leader.

You’ll also hear directly from our esteemed DNP faculty during a live Q&A, giving you real‑time insight as you consider pursuing your DNP at Wake Forest! Registration link in comments ⬇️

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We're thrilled to share that the Wake Forest University School of Medicine Nurse Anesthesia Program has been awarded 10 years of continued accreditation by the Council of Accreditation for Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA)!

Behind this achievement are countless hours of dedication, innovation, and collaboration. We are deeply grateful to our faculty who teach with passion, our students who inspire us daily, our clinical partners who open their doors to learning, our staff who support every detail, and our community who champions our mission.

THANK YOU for making excellence possible!

It is with deep sadness that we learned of the passing of Dr. Deb Flaherty, DNP, CRNA (Class of 2020). Deb was a member of Wake Forest University School of Medicine's inaugural DNP cohort and an nurse anesthetist who exemplified lifelong learning by pursuing her doctorate after nearly three decades in the profession.

Known for her constant positivity and her belief that she was "too blessed to be stressed," Deb touched everyone she met with her kindness, generosity, and signature wish for "peace and love." Her commitment to advancing nurse anesthesia extended beyond her own education—she created the LEAD Scholarship through NCANA to provide financial support and leadership training for future DNP students, ensuring her impact would continue for generations.

Her legacy of compassion, dedication to nursing excellence, and commitment to lifting others will continue to inspire our program and the nurse anesthesia community.

Peace and love, Deb. You will be deeply missed.

🔊 Listen to Dr. Meredith McSwain, DNP, APRN, NNP-BC ('25) share her inspiring DNP Project, aimed to empower nurses with the ability to detect signs of NEC early and communicate their concerns effectively to clinicians.

🙌 Join us in celebrating the power of nursing leadership and tag a nurse or colleague who inspires you!

Time for a Gut Check" Podcast Episode · First Best Nurse · 09/15/2025 · Bonus · 32m

Today our Wake Forest University School of Medicine Doctor of Nursing Practice students showcased their final posters during a virtual poster symposium along with our esteemed faculty. Congratulations to all of these leaders for your hard work, professionalism, and meaningful contributions to the nursing profession!

We’re proud to know Meredith McSwain who was recently recognized as NICU Educator of the Month at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist!

Her DNP project is making a real impact—training staff with a high-fidelity preemie mannequin and using SBAR and the GutCheck NEC Tool to improve neonatal care. Incredible work, Meredith!

Our amazing DNP faculty and students were proud to represent Wake Forest University School of Medicine Academic Nursing at the annual NCAHQ conference in Greensboro this week. NCAHQ promotes excellence, professionalism, and continuous improvement in healthcare quality.

The power of nursing extends globally! Our DNP programs prepare nurse leaders who address health challenges worldwide. Today we highlight our students working on global health initiatives bringing expertise and compassion across borders.