Biography
Heidi has taught in the accelerated Master’s entry nursing program at the University of Arizona College of Nursing since 2014 and is now the program director in Tucson. She has over 20 years of nursing experience and is passionate about preparing practice-ready nurses who are able to remain resilient in the face of challenges.
Heidi encourages her students to practice positive coping skills and reflect on the best ways to work within a team of multigenerational colleagues in both classroom and clinical settings. Her clinical background is primarily in intensive care and post-anesthesia care. Heidi completed the University of Arizona Integrative Nursing Fellowship in 2019 and uses her training in integrative care to emphasize self-care and compassionate patient care.
Heidi is a co-author of “Building Social Resilience in Nursing”, a workbook for nursing students that fosters resilience by encouraging the development of a strong social support network and applying positive coping skills to personal challenges. Heidi was on the leadership team for RNconnect 2 Wellbeing, the text messaging platform created during the COVID-19 pandemic to deliver supportive, positive, and uplifting messages linked to tools and resources to Arizona nurses. Her focus for the past several years has been on improving the knowledge, self-efficacy, and wellbeing of nurse preceptors so that the preceptors can better prepare students and nurses for the transition to practice.
Degrees
- D.N.P. Leadership
- Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, United States
- Nurse Preceptor Support
- M.S.N.
- Grand Canyon University, Glendale, Arizona
- Education on Generational Diversity to Increase Retention of New Graduate Nurses
- B.S.N.
- University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
Work Experience
- Tucson Medical Center (2021)
- Banner University Medical Center (2008 - 2020)
- Pima Community College, Tucson, Arizona (2004 - 2006)
- University Medical Center (2002 - 2008)
Awards
- Extraordinary Faculty Award
- Arizona Alumni Association, Fall 2024
- Excellence in Teaching
- University of Arizona College of Nursing, Summer 2023
- University of Arizona College of Nursing, Summer 2016
- Daisy Award
- The Daisy Foundation, Spring 2022
- Suzanne Van Ort Peer Teaching Award
- College of Nursing, Spring 2020
- Excellence in Teaching Award
- CON, Summer 2019
- Beta Mu grant for research conduct
- Sigma Theta Tau - Beta Mu Chapter, Spring 2018
Licensure & Certification
- RN license, Arizona State Board of Nursing (2002)
- CCRN, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (2005)
Interests
Research
Developing professional resilience, integrative wellbeing, and professional development of preceptors.
Teaching
Pain management, generational diversity, critical care concepts
Courses
2025-26 Courses
-
Concepts/Competencies Hlth Pr
NURS 610A (Spring 2026) -
Concepts/Competencies Hlth Pr
NURS 610A (Fall 2025) -
Provider of Care III: Comp Hlt
NURS 610B (Fall 2025)
2024-25 Courses
-
Concepts/Competencies Hlth Pr
NURS 610A (Summer I 2025) -
Concepts and Competencies I
NURS 509A (Spring 2025) -
Concepts/Competencies Hlth Pr
NURS 610A (Spring 2025) -
Concepts and Competencies I
NURS 509A (Fall 2024) -
Concepts/Competencies Hlth Pr
NURS 610A (Fall 2024)
2023-24 Courses
-
Concepts & Compet Lifespan II
NURS 519A (Summer I 2024) -
Concepts/Competencies Hlth Pr
NURS 610A (Summer I 2024) -
Provider of Care I: Pract Comp
NURS 509B (Summer I 2024) -
Provider of Care II: Alt Hlth
NURS 519B (Summer I 2024) -
Provider of Care III: Comp Hlt
NURS 610B (Summer I 2024) -
Provider of Care IIIC
NURS 610C (Summer I 2024) -
Concepts & Compet Lifespan II
NURS 519A (Spring 2024) -
Concepts and Competencies I
NURS 509A (Spring 2024) -
Concepts/Competencies Hlth Pr
NURS 610A (Spring 2024) -
Hlth Assmnt Across Lifespan
NURS 507 (Spring 2024) -
Provider of Care III: Comp Hlt
NURS 610B (Spring 2024) -
Concepts & Compet Lifespan II
NURS 519A (Fall 2023) -
Provider of Care II: Alt Hlth
NURS 519B (Fall 2023)
2022-23 Courses
-
Concepts and Competencies I
NURS 509A (Summer I 2023) -
Provider of Care I: Pract Comp
NURS 509B (Summer I 2023) -
Concepts/Competencies Hlth Pr
NURS 610A (Spring 2023) -
Provider of Care III: Comp Hlt
NURS 610B (Spring 2023) -
Concepts & Compet Lifespan II
NURS 519A (Fall 2022) -
Provider of Care II: Alt Hlth
NURS 519B (Fall 2022)
2021-22 Courses
-
Concepts and Competencies I
NURS 509A (Summer I 2022) -
Concepts/Competencies Hlth Pr
NURS 610A (Spring 2022) -
Provider of Care III: Comp Hlt
NURS 610B (Spring 2022) -
Provider of Care II: Alt Hlth
NURS 519B (Fall 2021)
2020-21 Courses
-
Concepts and Competencies I
NURS 509A (Summer I 2021) -
Concepts/Competencies Hlth Pr
NURS 610A (Spring 2021) -
Provider of Care III: Comp Hlt
NURS 610B (Spring 2021) -
Provider of Care IIIC
NURS 610C (Spring 2021) -
Provider of Care II: Alt Hlth
NURS 519B (Fall 2020)
2019-20 Courses
-
Concepts and Competencies I
NURS 509A (Summer I 2020) -
Provider of Care I: Pract Comp
NURS 509B (Summer I 2020) -
Concepts/Competencies Hlth Pr
NURS 610A (Spring 2020) -
Provider of Care III: Comp Hlt
NURS 610B (Spring 2020) -
Provider of Care II: Alt Hlth
NURS 519B (Fall 2019)
2018-19 Courses
-
Concepts and Competencies I
NURS 509A (Summer I 2019) -
Provider of Care I: Pract Comp
NURS 509B (Summer I 2019) -
Provider of Care III: Comp Hlt
NURS 610B (Spring 2019) -
Provider of Care IIIC
NURS 610C (Spring 2019) -
Provider of Care II: Alt Hlth
NURS 519B (Fall 2018)
2017-18 Courses
-
Concepts and Competencies I
NURS 509A (Summer I 2018) -
Provider of Care I: Pract Comp
NURS 509B (Summer I 2018) -
Provider of Care III: Comp Hlt
NURS 610B (Spring 2018) -
Provider of Care II: Alt Hlth
NURS 519B (Fall 2017)
2016-17 Courses
-
Concepts and Competencies I
NURS 509A (Summer I 2017) -
Practicum
NURS 694 (Summer I 2017) -
Provider of Care I: Pract Comp
NURS 509B (Summer I 2017) -
Provider of Care III: Comp Hlt
NURS 610B (Spring 2017) -
Provider of Care II: Alt Hlth
NURS 519B (Fall 2016)
2015-16 Courses
-
Concepts and Competencies I
NURS 509A (Summer I 2016) -
Practicum
NURS 694 (Summer I 2016) -
Provider of Care IV: Mgm & Ldr
NURS 614 (Summer I 2016) -
Provider of Care III: Comp Hlt
NURS 610B (Spring 2016)
Scholarly Contributions
Journals/Publications
- Kosanke, H. R., Bednarek, S., Schaeffer, R., & Hallberg, C. (2024). Closing the academic-practice gap with enhanced preceptor training. Journal for Nurses in Professional Development, 40(1), E41-E45. doi:10.1097/NND.0000000000001021More infoA successful pilot program served as a model for how educators in healthcare organizations can reduce the academic-practice gap by supporting preceptors. Preceptors received enhanced training using self-paced online modules and an asynchronous online problem-based learning. Statistically significant increases in self-efficacy and satisfaction with training were reported. Preceptor training included strategies for teaching prioritization, communication, and clinical judgment. Preceptors experienced sustained resilience, increased awareness of well-being, and more engagement in the precepting role.
Presentations
- Fick, P. S., & Kosanke, H. R. (2024, May). Recognizing cues, prioritizing care, and developing clinical judgment throughout the curriculum. Tucson Nurses Week Conference. Tucson, AZ: Tucson Nurses Week Foundation.
- Kosanke, H. R., Bednarek, S., & Schaeffer, R. (2023, November). Practice Readiness Pilot Project. Sigma Biennial Convention. San Antonio, TX: Sigma.
- Kosanke, H. R., Norton, A. H., & Lacasse, C. L. (2022).
Integrative Nursing and Resilience: A Framework for Strength-based Practice. 4th Annual International Integrative Nursing Symposium. (Webinar) [Podium].
. 4th Annual International Integrative Nursing Symposium. Webinar: Integrative Nursing Conference. - Kosanke, H. R. (2021, October). Revitalize Your Wellbeing. AORN Arizona Chapter Fall Conference. Prescott, AZ: AORN.
- Kosanke, H. R. (2021, Spring). Renew & Recharge with Resilience. AHNA Southern Arizona Chapter Spring Conference. Online: American Holistic Nurses Association.
- Kosanke, H. R., Buchda, V., & Stevens, C. (2021, October). Reflect, Recognize & Rise. Annual AzNA Convention. Phoenix: AzNA.More infoPanel presentation with speaker's focus on "Rise" including efforts to improve resilience and work done with RNconnect to support nurse well-being.
Poster Presentations
- Kosanke, H. R., & Baldwin, C. (2019, November). Guided Reflection and Deep Breathing Used to Reduce Stress and Anxiety During Clinical: A Pilot Study. Sigma Theta Tau International Biennial Convention. Washington, DC: Sigma Theta Tau International.
- Kosanke, H. R. (2018, May). Gamifying A Program to Promote Resiliency Skills in Nursing Students and New Graduates. Tucson Nurse's Week Conference. Tucson, Arizona: Tucson Nurse's Week.
- Kosanke, H. R., Pasquet, C. M., Wilger, P. M., Bouchard, L. A., Oja, K. J., Williams, D. K., & Larson, W. J. (2017, April). Developing Academic and Professional Resiliency in Pre-licensure Nursing Students. Western Institute of Nursing Conference. Denver, Colorado: WIN.
- Kosanke, H. R., Pasquet, C. M., Wilger, P. M., Bouchard, L. A., Oja, K. J., Williams, D. K., & Larson, W. J. (2017, October). Translating Resiliency into Professional Practice Using an Academic Partnership Model. 2017 AzNA Convention. Scottsdale, Arizona: Arizona Nurses Association.
