Jessica Lapinski

Jessica Lapinski is the recipient of the Joan L. Conroy Scholarship from Nurses Educational Funds (NEF). She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Instructional Leadership for Nurse Educators at the University of Alabama. Jessica earned both her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and her Master of Science in Nursing Education from the University of Rochester School of Nursing.

Throughout her nursing career, Jessica has been passionate about supporting the next generation of nurses and improving the quality of clinical education. Her interest in nursing was driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact on the lives of patients, while also contributing to the development of a strong and competent healthcare workforce. As she progressed in her career, she discovered a passion for teaching and mentoring nursing students, which inspired her to pursue advanced education in nursing education and leadership.

Jessica currently serves as an Assistant Professor at the University of Rochester School of Nursing, where she teaches advanced medical-surgical nursing courses and provides clinical instruction to prelicensure nursing students. Her work focuses on clinical education, student success, and strengthening partnerships between academic institutions and healthcare organizations. Through these collaborations, she helps create high-quality clinical learning experiences that prepare students for the transition from nursing school to professional practice.

In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Jessica is committed to advancing nursing education through scholarly inquiry and innovation. Her professional interests include clinical teaching effectiveness, faculty development, preceptor engagement, and academic-practice partnerships, particularly with Dedicated Education Units. She is particularly interested in identifying sustainable strategies to expand clinical education opportunities and strengthen the nursing workforce pipeline.

Jessica chose to pursue her doctoral degree in Instructional Leadership for Nurse Educators because she recognizes the critical role educational leadership plays in shaping nursing programs and preparing future nurses. Through her doctoral studies, she is developing advanced skills in curriculum design, educational leadership, organizational change, and evidence-based teaching practices. She hopes to leverage this expertise to lead initiatives that enhance nursing education, support faculty development, and improve student learning outcomes.

Receiving an NEF scholarship is both an honor and an affirmation of Jessica's commitment to nursing education. The scholarship provides meaningful support as she continues her doctoral studies and works toward her goal of becoming a leader in nursing education. She is grateful for the opportunity and remains dedicated to advancing the nursing profession through excellence in teaching, mentorship, and educational innovation.