Jake Bush

Dr. Jake Bush is a Lecturer in the School of Nursing at the Usha Kundu, MD College of Health, University of West Florida. He holds a PhD in Nursing from the University of Central Florida and is a Certified Nurse Educator (CNE). His research focuses on innovative teaching strategies, LGBTQ+ mental health resilience, and mental health education for nursing students. He has authored/co-authored peer-reviewed articles and an open-access textbook, Mental Health is a Verb.

Education: Three-time alumnus of UWF with a B.S. in Psychology (2003), B.S.N. (RN-BSN), and M.S.N., followed by a Ph.D. in Nursing from UCF (2021). Professional affiliations include the Florida Nurses Association, Sigma Theta Tau International (Vice President), and the Pensacola NAMI. He serves as Clinical Director for the Special Olympics.

Research Interests: Dr. Bush explores mental health coping strategies, resilience in LGBTQ+ communities, and educational innovations such as active learning and open educational resources (OER). His work bridges nursing pedagogy with practical mental health interventions, emphasizing ethical research practices and reducing health disparities.

Publications: His scholarship spans mental health nursing education, transgender health, and psychiatric emergencies. Recent works include analyses of symposium impacts on nursing students’ attitudes and ethical recruitment methods for transgender populations.

Service & Leadership: Beyond academia, he contributes to mental health advocacy through NAMI and Special Olympics. His certifications and leadership roles reflect a commitment to advancing nursing education and community health.