Amy Burlar

Amy Burlar, Ph.D., RN, CCRN, CNE is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Adult Health and Nursing Systems at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Nursing. She teaches primarily in the undergraduate Fundamentals and Adult Health clinical courses while maintaining an active research agenda.

Education

• Ph.D. in Nursing Education, University of Northern Colorado
• M.S. in Nursing (Adult Acute Care Clinical Nurse Specialist), Virginia Commonwealth University
• B.S. in Nursing, George Mason University

Research Interests

Dr. Burlar’s scholarship centers on three interrelated domains:

• Design and evaluation of active learning strategies that enhance critical thinking and clinical judgment in prelicensure nursing students.
• Cross-cultural nursing education and practice, with particular focus on Caribbean populations and international service-learning experiences.
• Integration of adult acute and primary care principles into undergraduate curricula to bridge classroom learning and clinical performance.

Recent Publications & Trends

Her 2024 publications reveal a dual commitment to pedagogical innovation and global health. One paper introduces an interactive classroom activity grounded in the Clinical Judgment Measurement Model, while two collaborative works apply systems thinking and qualitative methods to address childhood obesity and supportive care needs among Caribbean families facing critical illness. Collectively, these works highlight an emerging emphasis on culturally responsive education and community-engaged research.

Professional & Community Service

• Volunteer, CrossOver Healthcare Ministry
• Faculty leader for international service-learning trips, mentoring nursing students in cross-cultural health education initiatives.

Dr. Burlar integrates service-learning into her teaching portfolio, guiding students beyond the classroom to deliver culturally sensitive health education in underserved Caribbean communities.