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April Herrera

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210-567-5796

April Herrera, DNP, RN, CNE

Assistant Professor/Clinical

Dr. Herrera is a certified nurse educator (CNE) who has been an assistant clinical professor at UT Health San Antonio since 2022. She has over 15 years of experience educating and supporting the development of prelicensure nursing students and new graduate nurses. She has experience teaching and curriculum development in adult health practicums, skills labs at various levels, simulation, immersion, and is a course coordinator in the prelicensure nursing program. Dr. Herrera has worked in oncology, palliative care, orthopedics, neurology, and cardiac nursing. Dr. Herrera has been a registered nurse since 2007 after earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. She obtained her Master of Science in Nursing Adult Health Holistic Education at The University of Texas at Austin in 2012 and Doctor of Nursing Practice at The University of Texas Austin in 2022. She also taught at The University of Texas at Austin from 2013-2023. Dr. Herrera’s scholarship focuses on increasing emotional intelligence in prelicensure nursing students. She is passionate about helping our future nurses become resilient as they embark on the nursing profession.

  • Professional Background

    Education

    • 2022 - DNP - Nursing - The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
    • 2012 - MSN - Nursing - The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
    • 2007 - BSN - Nursing - Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas

    Highlights

    LICENSURE

    Registered Nurse, TX

    CERTIFICATION

    • Protection of Human Subjects in Research, 2021
    • Certified Nurse Educator, 2019
    • Certified Basic Life Support, 2005

    Clinical Nursing Practice

    • HealthTrust Work Force Solutions, Austin, TX 2018-2019
    • Staff Nurse, Medical Surgical, Oncology, Palliative, Orthopedic, Telemetry Units

    HONORS AND SPECIAL AWARDS

    2020 Innovation in Teaching Award, The University of Texas at Austin, SON

    Appointments

    • 2023-Present - Assistant Professor/Clinical - UT Health San Antonio
    • 2022-2023 - Adjunct Assistant Professor - UT Health San Antonio
    • 2022-Present - Clinical Assistant Professor - The University of Texas at Austin, School of Nursing
    • 2013-2022 - Clinical Instructor in Nursing - The University of Texas at Austin, School of Nursing

  • Instruction & Training

    • 2023, NURS 4315 Care of Adult 2: Theoretical Foundations, UT Health San Antonio
    • 2023, NURS 4420 Transition to Professional Nursing Practice: Clinical Application, UT Health San Antonio
    • 2023, NURS 4320: Leadership and Management: Clinical Application, UT Health San Antonio
    • 2023, NURS 4423: Clinical Immersion, UT Health San Antonio
    • 2023, NURS 3371: Foundations of Nursing Care: Clinical Application, UT Health San Antonio
    • 2023, NURS 4533: Disease Management III: Clinical Application, UT Health San Antonio
    • 2023, NURS 3305 Foundations of Clinical Nursing Practice: Clinical Application, UT Health San Antonio
    • 2022, NURS 3305 Foundations of Clinical Nursing Practice: Clinical Application, UT Health San Antonio
    • 2022, N390F: Adult Health Nursing I Practicum, The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing
    • 2022, N290R: Adult Health Nursing II Practicum, The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing
    • 2021, N390F: Adult Health Nursing I Practicum, The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing
    • 2021, N279P: Capstone Preceptorship, The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing
    • 2021, N290R: Adult Health Nursing II Practicum, The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing
    • 2020, N390F: Adult Health Nursing I Practicum, The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing
    • 2020, N290R: Adult Health Nursing II Practicum, The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing
    • 2020, N290S: Integration of Nursing Knowledge, The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing
    • 2020, N279P: Capstone Preceptorship, The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing
    • 2019, N390F: Adult Health Nursing I Practicum, The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing
    • 2019, N290R: Adult Health Nursing II Practicum, The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing
    • 2019, N290S: Integration of Nursing Knowledge, The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing
    • 2019, N279P: Capstone Preceptorship, The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing

  • Service

    Institutional

    Observered for Peer-Teaching Evaluations                                                    2013-2022

    UTSON Nursing Student Association Career Panel                                      2017

    Participated in Whit Coat Ceremony                                                              2016-2017

    Disaster Drill Preparedness Planning Committee                                          2013-2017

    Service to the Profession

    American Nurses Association (ANA)-Member                                             March 2022-Present

    Texas Nurses Association (TNA)-Member                                                    March 2022-Present

    International Association of Latino Nurse Faculty (IALNF)-Member          March 2022-Present

    National League for Nursing (NLN)- Member                                               2016-Present

     

     

     

    Community

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force Committee Member                 2021-2022

    Faculty Development Committee Member                                                    2018-2021

    Scholarship Committee Member                                                                    2017-2018

    Student Affairs Committee Member                                                              2015-2017

  • Publications

      Herrera, A., Carter, S., & Sumpter, D. (2022 June) Taking a Pulse on Emotional Intelligence. Texas DNP Conference, Lubbock, TX. (abstract accepted).

      Herrera, A. & Hendrickson, S. (2020 February) From Briefed to Debriefed: Educators’ Strategies to Expand Engagement with Future Nurses. Shine Academy Innovations Conference, Austin, TX.

      Herrera, A. & Hendrickson, S. (2018 February) Practice Makes Perfect: Changing Study Strategies for HESI Exit Exam to Increase NCLEX Pass Rate. Shine Academy Innovations Conference, Austin, TX.

      Herrera, A, Hendrickson, S., & Lin, L. (2017 February) Using Interactive Online Videos to Enhance Clinical Skills Learning Among Graduate-Entry Students: Lessons Learned. Shine Academy Innovations Conference, Austin, TX.

      Lin, L. C., Hendrickson, S., Herrera, A., & Bryant, A. (2017) Using Interactive Online Videos to Enhance Clinical Skills Learning Among Graduate-Entry. Poster presentation at 2017 Innovations in Health Science Education and Sigma Theta Tau International, Epsilon Chapter Research Meeting, Austin, TX.

      Lin, L. C., Alonzo, A. Teaching Evaluation on Safety and Communication Among Student Nurses Using Role-Playing. Poster presentation at QSEN National Forum, Tucson, AZ, 2012.