معرفی
Nicole Rodriguez is an Assistant Professor and Director of Clinical Education for the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at Hawai'i Pacific University (HPU) in Las Vegas, affiliated with the Graduate College of Health Sciences and the Department of Physical Therapy. She resides in San Diego, CA, and has been actively involved in physical therapy education since 2012, with leadership in clinical education since 2019.
Education:
- Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (2008)
- Doctorate in Physical Therapy, University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (2012)
- Master of Philosophy in Psychology, Walden University (2020)
- Ph.D. in Psychology (emphasis in Educational Psychology), Walden University (2023)
Dr. Rodriguez's research centers on enhancing clinical education through innovative methods. Her primary interests include preparation and performance in clinical education, self-efficacy among DPT students, interprofessional education, and simulation-based learning. She has explored how simulation impacts student confidence and clinical performance in acute care settings, particularly comparing active participants versus observers. Her work bridges educational psychology with hands-on clinical training.
Dr. Rodriguez is actively engaged in national conferences such as the International Meeting on Simulation in Healthcare (IMSH), World Physiotherapy Congress, and APTA’s Educational Leadership Conferences. Her dissertation investigated DPT students’ self-efficacy in acute care practice before and after simulation experiences, analyzing its moderating effect on clinical performance.
Professional Recognitions:
- Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy (ABPTS)
- Advanced Competency in Home Health Certification (APTA)
- Certified Clinical Instructor
Dr. Rodriguez has held leadership roles in clinical education and is preparing to become a Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator. She has been a member of the APTA (Geriatrics and Education sections), served on the Southern California Intercollegiate Academic Clinical Coordinators Council (IACCC) from 2016–2023, and was part of the National Consortium of Clinical Education (NCCE) during the same period, fostering collaboration between academic institutions and clinical communities. Her teaching portfolio includes neuroanatomy, acute and subacute rehabilitation, neurological rehabilitation, and clinical education preparation.
She regularly participates in continuing education through APTA’s annual conferences and is committed to advancing pedagogical practices in health sciences education.
