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Heather Garcia, MSN, APRN, CNS, CPN

Associate Professor

Education

  • MSN, Family Clinical Nurse Specialist, ¹ú²ú¾çÂ鶹¾ç
  • ADN, Santa Barbara City College, Santa Barbara
  • BS Biology, Westmont College, Santa Barbara

Courses Taught

  • NSG 3010/3011: Nursing of Families: Child/Adolescent Focus
  • NSG 4080: Nursing Capstone
  • NSG 4081: Capstone Preceptorship Practicum

Experience in Field

  • ¹ú²ú¾çÂ鶹¾ç, San Diego
    • Associate Professor 2021 – present
    • Adjunct Faculty-Pediatric Clinical Nursing Instructor, 2014-2017
  • Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego
    • RN Educator for the Education and Professional Development Department, 2021-present
    • Education and Professional Development Department Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) and New Graduate RN/RT Residency Program Coordinator, 2017 - 2021
    • RN Educator for 3 East Surgical, 2011-2012
    • Pediatric Clinical Nurse, Surgical Unit, 2008-2017
  • Medical Express Travel Company - Pediatric Travel Clinical Nurse, 2007-2008
  • Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, Santa Barbara, Pediatric Clinical Nurse, 2004-2007

Professional and Community Involvement

  • Sigma Theta Tau - International Honor Society of Nursing - Board Member
  • SPN - Society of Pediatric Nurses
  • CACNS - California Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists
  • NACNS - National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists
  • ANPD - Association of Nursing Professional Development
  • Evidence-Based Practice Institute (EBPI) Fellow and Mentor
  • ¹ú²ú¾çÂ鶹¾ç Honors Project Faculty Advisor
  • Fresh Start Surgical Gifts, 2011-2022
  • Summer Medical Academy, 2018 - 2023
  • Medical Mission Trips to various countries with The Rock Church - Do Something Missions, 2008-2012
  • Vacation Bible School (VBS) Director for local church 2022-present
  • Baja Bound - Mexico House Building Trips
  • Little League Baseball Community Volunteer
  • Parent Action Committee (PAC) Leader - Local Elementary School

Awards and Honors

  • Student Elected Faculty Keynote Speaker for Nursing Pinning Ceremony, 2023
  • Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, Nurse of Excellence Award, 2019

Dissertations, Presentations, and Publications

  • NACNS Conference – Poster presentation: Implementation of a Clinical Nurse Specialist Outcome Tracking Spreadsheet and Annual Report, March 2022

  • EBPI – Mentoring the Mentor: Training Mentors on How to Mentor Novice Nurses, November 2021
  • Accepted for poster presentation at ANPD Conference in August 2021 for Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction in New Graduate Nurses.