Sara Dowdle-Simmons
- Senior Lecturer
Contact
- (520) 626-6154
- Nursing, Rm. 327
- Tucson, AZ 85721
- sdsimmons@arizona.edu
Degrees
- M.S.N. Nursing Education
- Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, United States
- Educational Strategies for Rural New Graduate Registered Nurses
Work Experience
- University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (2021 - Ongoing)
- Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona (2013 - 2021)
Awards
- Excellence in Teaching Award
- University of Arizona CON BSN program, Fall 2022
- Tucson Fab 50 Nurse
- Tucson Medical Center, Spring 2022
- Tucson Fab 50 award
- Spring 2022
Licensure & Certification
- Certified Emergency Nurse, Emergency Nurses Association (2001)
- Registered Nurse AZ State Board of Nursing, Arizona State Board of Nursing (1995)
Interests
No activities entered.
Courses
2024-25 Courses
-
Acute+Chronic Ill Mgt II
NURS 470 (Spring 2025) -
Acute+Chronic Ill Mgt II
NURS 470 (Fall 2024)
2023-24 Courses
-
Acute+Chronic Ill Mgt II
NURS 470 (Spring 2024) -
Acute+Chronic Ill Mgt II
NURS 470 (Fall 2023)
2022-23 Courses
-
Acute+Chronic Ill Mgt II
NURS 470 (Spring 2023) -
Acute+Chronic Ill Mgt II
NURS 470 (Fall 2022)
2021-22 Courses
-
Acute+Chronic Ill Mgt II
NURS 470 (Spring 2022) -
Acute+Chronic Ill Mgt II
NURS 470 (Fall 2021)
Scholarly Contributions
Journals/Publications
- Dowdle-Simmons, S. (2013). Educational Strategies for Rural New Graduate Registered Nurses. Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, 44(3), 107-110. doi:10.3928/00220124-20121217-94More infoRural health care facilities are geographically remote, tend to be small, and often possess limited resources. Although newly graduated registered nurses are important to the work force of many rural communities, maintaining a formal preceptorship/mentorship program within a rural hospital may prove difficult as a result of limited resources. Unfortunately, the new graduate may become overwhelmed by the many expectations for clinical practice and the facility can experience high turnover rates of new graduate hires. This article explores the unique traits of the rural hospital and the new graduate nurse as well as the pros and cons of a formal preceptorship program within a rural setting. Constructivist learning theory is used to develop practical teaching strategies that can be used by the preceptor and the new graduate. These strategies are inexpensive, yet effective, and are feasible for even the smallest of facilities.
