About our authors
Cynthia Fenske, DNP, RN, CNE, is Campus Dean for Nursing and an associate professor at Concordia University Ann Arbor in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Dr. Fenske graduated with a BSN from Valparaiso University and an MS in medical-surgical nursing from the University of Michigan. She earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Oakland University in Rochester Hills, Michigan. She was a faculty member at the University of Michigan for 32 years prior to leaving to start a nursing program at Concordia University Ann Arbor. In the classroom her teaching responsibilities include physical assessment, medical-surgical nursing and fundamentals; in the laboratory setting she teaches physical assessment, nursing skills and simulation. Dr. Fenske has published articles on the use of simulation and innovative teaching strategies to assess and enhance learning. She is a faculty advocate, consultant and trainer for Pearson’s virtual community, The Neighborhood 2.0. Her research includes strategies to improve the development of clinical judgment and interprofessional teamwork skills through the use of simulation. Dr. Fenske is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing and the State of Michigan State Board of Nursing.
Katherine Watkins, DNP, RN, CPNP-PC, CNE, is a clinical professor and Doctor of Nursing Practice Program Coordinator at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona. Dr. Watkins earned her MSN as a pediatric nurse practitioner at Yale University, her post-master’s certificate in nursing education at the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) and her DNP from Northern Arizona University. Kate earned dual bachelor’s degrees in architecture and geography and spent many years as a successful graphic designer and illustrator before coming to professional nursing and nursing education. After earning an MSN, she moved to Alaska and practiced as a pediatric primary care nurse practitioner and began teaching nursing full time at UAA. Kate has taught a variety of courses at all levels and delivery formats in nursing education, with a particular focus on teaching nursing assessment at the pre-licensure and advanced levels. Dr. Watkins is a certified nurse educator, and she practices part time as a primary care pediatric nurse practitioner in rural northern Arizona. She volunteers as a manuscript reviewer for Journal of Pediatric Health Care, and on TeamPEDS of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners.
Tina Saunders PhD, RN, CNE, GCNS-BC, earned a baccalaureate degree in nursing from Youngstown State University and a master’s degree in nursing as an Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist with a specialization in gerontology from Kent State University. She earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing from Kent State University. Tina has been a faculty member of the College of Nursing at Kent State University since 2006. She is the coordinator for the MSN Nurse Educator concentration and teaches in the BSN and RN-to-BSN programs, as well as in the Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist and Nurse Educator MSN program concentrations. Her clinical practice experience includes long-term care and critical care step-down nursing.
Mrs. Saunders has published articles in Orthopaedic Nursing and the Journal of Gerontological Nursing and has authored online RN-BSN health assessment and capstone courses for Pearson. She serves on several committees, on task forces and in leadership positions within Kent State University at the College of Nursing. She is a member of the Delta Xi chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International, National League for Nursing, Northeast Ohio Clinical Nurse Specialists and National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists. In addition, she serves on the editorial review board for the Online Journal of Issues in Nursing (OJIN).
Donita D’Amico, MEd, RN, a diploma nursing school graduate, earned her baccalaureate degree in nursing from William Paterson College. She earned a master’s degree in nursing education at Teachers College, Columbia University, with a specialization in adult health. Ms. D’Amico has been a faculty member at William Paterson University for over 30 years. Her teaching responsibilities include physical assessment, medical-surgical nursing, nursing theory, and fundamentals in the classroom, skills laboratory and clinical settings. Within the university, she is a charter member of the Iota Alpha Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International. She also serves as a consultant and contributor to local organizations.
Colleen Barbarito, EdD, RN, received a nursing diploma from Orange Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, graduated with a baccalaureate degree from William Paterson College and earned a master’s degree from Seton Hall University, all in New Jersey. She received her Doctor of Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. Dr. Barbarito’s clinical experiences include medical-surgical, critical care and emergency nursing. Dr. Barbarito has been a faculty member at William Paterson University since 1984, where she has taught physical assessment and a variety of clinical laboratory courses for undergraduate nursing students and curriculum development at the graduate level. Dr. Barbarito is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing and the National League for Nursing.
