Catherine Schmitt

Catherine Schmitt serves as Tenured Associate Professor in the Department of Nursing within the School of Nursing and Health Professions at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. Her clinical expertise spans OR/PACU settings and nurse education, supported by doctoral preparation in Nursing from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee.

Her educational foundation includes:

• PhD, Nursing, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, 2013
• MSN, Nursing Education, Marian College, 2005
• BSN, Marian College, 1992
• Diploma, Nursing, St. Joseph’s Hospital School of Nursing, 1981

Dr. Schmitt’s research pioneers innovative approaches in nursing education, particularly simulation-based techniques like the "cookie experiment" for team dynamics training. She investigates critical transition challenges for new nurses through qualitative studies on coping resources and generational workforce dynamics, while advancing palliative care patient experiences and universal prenatal substance use screening protocols. Her work consistently addresses real-world clinical challenges through rigorous methodology.

Analysis of her 2015-2021 publications reveals three dominant research trajectories: (1) Simulation pedagogy evolution from basic safety training to complex resource-allocation scenarios, (2) Generational workforce adaptation with emphasis on Gen Z nurses’ readiness and pandemic response, and (3) Vulnerable population care through palliative and prenatal substance use studies. These threads demonstrate methodological consistency in qualitative inquiry while expanding into pandemic-responsive education research.

Her recognition includes:

• College of Nursing Professorial Excellence Award (2023)
• College of Nursing Faculty Award: Service (2022, 2019)
• Edwin Penson Faculty Award (2019)
• Veteran of the Game award (2019)

Dr. Schmitt mentors students through active research participation, evidenced by co-authored publications and national conference presentations. Her grant portfolio demonstrates strategic external funding acquisition including Ascension Wisconsin’s Palliative Care Cancer Research grant (2018), Sigma Theta Tau Research Grant (2016), and Wisconsin Nursing LEADS the PACC initiative (2014), focusing on community-based care partnerships and evidence-based practice implementation.