معرفی
Charles Smith serves as Clinical Assistant Professor and RN-BSN Coordinator at Mercer University's College of Nursing, joining full-time in 2014 after 18 years as Adjunct Faculty. With 39+ years of clinical leadership experience at Atlanta's Piedmont Hospital spanning roles from staff nurse to Executive Director of Nursing for inpatient acute care, he bridges academic instruction with real-world healthcare administration expertise.
Education:
- PhD, Nursing, Mercer University, 2016
- MS, Nursing: Adult Health, Georgia State University, 1985
- BS, Nursing, Georgia State University, 1981
- Diploma, Nursing, Piedmont Hospital School of Nursing, 1977
His research program critically examines how nurse fatigue impacts patient safety through the lens of presenteeism, employing mixed-methods approaches to quantify workplace risks and develop mitigation strategies. This work intersects nursing science, occupational health, and healthcare systems management, with implications for staffing policies and safety culture reforms.
Dr. Smith's 2016 presentations established presenteeism as a measurable threat to patient outcomes, revealing fatigue-driven error patterns across acute care settings. His dual-conference dissemination strategy targeted both clinical practitioners (MUSC) and academic researchers (Sigma Theta Tau), highlighting applications in nursing workforce sustainability and leadership development within high-acuity environments.
Scientific awards:
- Norah Ellen Salter Award for Clinical Excellence (1976)
- Sigma Theta Tau Graduate Research Award (1994)
- Montague Boyd Award (1992)
- Excellence in Mentoring Award (2010)
- Nurse Leader of the Year (2010)
As RN-BSN Coordinator, he directs curriculum development for working nurses transitioning to bachelor's degrees while maintaining active clinical certification. His Orthopaedic Nursing Certification (ONC) through NAON since 1988 demonstrates enduring specialty expertise, complementing his Georgia RN licensure. Current grant activities focus on fatigue-intervention protocols for bedside nurses.
