Faculty Profile
Heather Westerfield
Adjunct Program Coordinator, DNP Program
College of Health Professions and Natural Sciences
Adjunct Assistant Professor
DNP, Salisbury University
Biography
Dr. Heather Westerfield is an accomplished nurse, educator and leader with over 20 years’ experience in nursing and over 16 years’ experience in nursing education. Dr. Westerfield earned her Associates of Science degree from Chesapeake College in 2002, her Master of Science in Nursing from Wesley College in 2006, her Post-Masters Certificate in Nursing Education in 2009, and her Doctor of Nursing Practice from Salisbury University in 2015. She also has maintained the Certified Medical Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN) certification over the last 10 years. Dr. Westerfield has most recently earned a certification as a Certified Nurse Educator (CNE).
Dr. Westerfield has a wide range of experience within nursing education as she has worked with associates degree, RN-BSN, MSN and DNP students alike. Within all of these area’s Dr. Westerfield has worked in the traditional classroom, simulation lab, hybrid classrooms, and the online environment.
Dr. Westerfield’ s background and/or research interests include: Medical-Surgical Nursing, Patient Centered Care, Evidence-Based Practice and Performance Improvement initiatives. Dr. Westerfield’s doctoral research project was titled “Transitioning to Bedside-Shift Report in a Community Hospital System.” She has presented both podium and poster presentations at multiple conferences along with being a published author.
Dr. Westerfield has participated in multiple leadership and mentoring initiatives. She participated in the Leadership Consortium for Nursing Practice and Education as part of the Nurse Leadership Institute at the University of Maryland School of Nursing and in the Eastern Shore Faculty Academy and Mentorship Initiative. Dr. Westerfield served as a peer reviewer for manuscripts submitted for publication for MEDSURG Nursing, the Academy of Medical Surgical Nurses peer reviewed journal. She also serves as a peer reviewer for accreditation visits for the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Most recently Dr. Westerfield was appointed by Governor Larry Hogan to be a member of the Maryland Board of Nursing.