Sharon Stager

Dr. Sharon Stager serves as Associate Professor and Associate Chair of the Graduate Nursing Program at Salve Regina University's Department of Nursing. She maintains active clinical practice at Wellcare, Inc. (Rhode Island NP-led practice) and operates her entrepreneurial wellness venture In Search for Health, specializing in naturopathy and wellness counseling.

Education:

• B.S. in Nursing, Fitchburg State College (1992)
• M.S. in Nursing, Duke University School of Nursing (1996)
• Doctor of Nursing Practice, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (2013)

Her research integrates primary care, women's health, and functional medicine with emphasis on naturopathic approaches and nutraceuticals for optimal health outcomes. She pioneers scholarly work on nursing professional identity development, clinical education standards for DNP programs, and academic career pathways for nurse practitioners. Her clinical expertise spans oncology, weight management, and women's health within functional medicine frameworks.

Recent publications (2021-2024) reveal dual scholarly trajectories: 1) Nursing education reform addressing clinical hour requirements, academic promotion systems, and professional identity formation; 2) Primary care policy analysis examining workforce shortages alongside mental health interventions for vulnerable populations. These works collectively strengthen evidence for nurse practitioner roles in academic and clinical settings.

As Graduate Nursing Program Associate Chair, Dr. Stager oversees curriculum development and likely advises doctoral students though specific mentees aren't documented. No grant funding details appear in source materials. Her clinical work at Wellcare, Inc. and entrepreneurial practice demonstrate applied research translation, while functional medicine certification pursuits indicate evolving clinical specialization.