Open to opportunities

JoAnn Ragan

@joannragan

Nursing professional development specialist and nurse educator advancing clinical practice through evidence-based learning.

United States

Message

What I'm looking for

I’m looking for a role where I can lead nursing education and professional development—translating research into practical, standardized onboarding, simulation-based learning, and measurable improvements in learner confidence, wellbeing, and patient outcomes.

I’m a PhD candidate (Capella University) with a Specialty in Nursing Education and an MS from Purdue University Global, grounded in hands-on teaching and professional development. My work focuses on improving pre-licensure and clinical outcomes through simulation, standardized orientation, and educator-led curriculum that supports diverse learners.

In my role as a Nursing Professional Development Specialist / Transition to Practice Coordinator, I’ve developed transitional care unit workflows during the COVID-19 pandemic, standardized clinical specialist orientation across the continuum of care, and built onboarding for new associates through skills and certifications. My dissertation research—Pre-licensure nursing students’ perceptions of psychological safety while participating in simulation exercises—supports measurable reductions in self-reported anxiety, stress, and burnout, and I continue to translate research into practice. I also contribute to professional education through clinical nurse educator and unit-based educator experience, and I deliver invited workshops and keynote presentations, including TBI awareness and safety training.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Nursing Tutor

Current

Varsity Tutors

Jan 2024 - Present (2 years 3 months)

Developed lesson plans and provided exam preparation tutoring for pre-licensure nursing students. Delivered virtual lectures and presentations across foundational nursing, pharmacology, NCLEX/HESI/TEAS prep, and additional course content.

Lesson planning Virtual Tutoring Exam Preparation NCLEX TEAS Preparation Nursing Curriculum Instruction Lecture Delivery Virtual Presentations

Current

Transition to Practice Coordinator

Current

Mercy Health

Jan 2016 - Present (10 years 3 months)

Developed transitional care unit programming during the COVID-19 pandemic and standardized clinical specialist orientation across the continuum of care. Coordinated onboarding for new associates, including orientation, skills development, and certifications.

Transition To Practice Clinical Orientation Standardization

Clinical Nurse Educator

Youngstown State University

Jan 2016 - Jan 2024 (8 years)

Served as a medical-surgical educator for first- and second-year BSN students, delivering both lecture and clinical instruction. Supported specialized BSN nursing education through direct teaching and course delivery.

Medical Surgical Nursing Clinical Teaching Lecture Delivery Course Facilitation Nursing Education

Nursing Unit-Based Educator

Mercy Health

Jan 2017 - Jan 2019 (2 years)

Provided specialized education for CARF re-designation and TBI designation within an acute rehabilitation/TBI ward. Delivered targeted staff education to support specialty care designation requirements.

Acute Rehabilitation Education TBI Education Staff Development CARF Re Designation Support

Teaching Assistant

Breckinridge School of Nursing

Jan 2014 - Jan 2016 (2 years)

Supported instruction for Anatomy & Physiology I and II and Microbiology courses. Assisted with meeting course needs through teaching support for students.

Anatomy Physiology Microbiology Support

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

Capella University

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Nursing Education

2023 - 2025

Activities and societies: Dissertation topic: pre-licensure nursing students’ perceptions of psychological safety during simulation exercises.

PhD in Education (Nursing Education) at Capella University, focused on pre-licensure nursing students’ perceptions of psychological safety during simulation exercises. Dissertation published in 2025.

Purdue University Global

Master of Science in Nursing, Nursing Education

Activities and societies: Thesis/EBP project: “Code Lavender.”

Master of Science in Nursing at Purdue University Global with a focus on nurse education. Thesis/EBP project: “Code Lavender.”

Kaplan University

Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Nursing

Grade: Summa Cum Laude

Activities and societies: Sigma Theta Tau membership (2016–present as stated); Nursing honors and awards.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Kaplan University, completed in 2016 with academic honors. Graduated summa cum laude and earned recognition through nursing honors societies.