Debbie A Hurd

Debbie A Hurd is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the College of Nursing and Health Innovation (CONHI) at The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), where she has taught since 2014. With 48 years of nursing experience spanning community health, critical care, and nursing education, she currently serves as faculty advisor for DNP students in Proposal Development and Practicum courses while teaching undergraduate nursing including Adults with Complex Needs.

Her educational background includes:

• PhD in Nursing, The University of Texas at Arlington (2015)
• MS in Nursing, Texas Woman's University (1980)
• BSN in Nursing, Pennsylvania State University (1975)

Dr. Hurd's research centers on nursing education methodologies and women's health, specifically adaptation following sexual assault. Her scholarly work examines simulation-based training, deliberate practice for clinical skill retention, and digital tools in pedagogy. Her teaching portfolio spans medical-surgical nursing, health promotion, and DNP practicum development, reflecting her commitment to evidence-based nursing education.

Her publications reveal consistent innovation in clinical skill acquisition, with emphasis on BLS training technologies and trauma-informed care approaches. She integrates qualitative methods to explore patient adaptation processes while advancing simulation pedagogy through multi-institutional research collaborations.

Professional recognition includes:

• Exceptional Dedication and Positive Impact from UTA Division of Student Affairs (2024)
• Impact on Maverick Graduates awards (2024, 2023)
• Mary Lou Bond Fellowship (2014)
• Sigma Theta Tau Honorary Society membership (2013)

As an academic advisor, Dr. Hurd mentors DNP students on cognitive assessment protocols for elderly patients and nurse well-being initiatives. Her institutional leadership includes chairing CONHI's Committee on Student Affairs (2022-2024), serving on the Graduate Nursing Review Committee, and coordinating the Sigma Delta Theta Research Symposium. She extends her impact through Texas League for Nursing governance and international medical missions to Jamaica and Romania.

Active in professional communities including Sigma Theta Tau, National League for Nursing, and American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, she also contributes to women's empowerment initiatives and serves as a journal reviewer for the American Journal of Nursing.