Jan Ina Gonzales, DNP, MSN-Ed, RN, PMH-BC, CNE
Assistant Professor-In-Residence
Biography
Dr. Jan Ina Gonzales joined the UNLV School of Nursing as an Assistant Professor-in-Residence in Fall 2023. She brings extensive clinical and academic experience, with a strong background in mental health nursing, medical-surgical care, nursing education, and leadership. Dr. Gonzales teaches across didactic, clinical, simulation, and online platforms and serves as one of the clinical coordinators for the Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing (DEMSN) program.
In addition to her instructional and coordination roles, she actively contributes to several committees within the School of Nursing and across the UNLV campus, supporting initiatives in diversity, equity, student success, and faculty development. She is deeply passionate about fostering student growth, integrating innovative and inclusive teaching strategies, and advocating for mental health awareness. Her commitment to compassionate care and lifelong learning forms the foundation of her teaching philosophy.
Expertise
A committed advocate for mental health, Dr. Gonzales brings a compassionate and holistic approach to nursing education. She has extensive clinical experience in psychiatric care across the lifespan, having served as an RN and charge nurse in various inpatient behavioral health settings for several years. She is board-certified in psychiatric-mental health nursing (PMH-BC) and currently teaches mental health nursing across classroom, clinical, and simulation settings. Dr. Gonzales also holds a Master of Science in Nursing with a focus on Nursing Education, which underpins her dedication to student-centered teaching and curriculum development. Prior to specializing in psychiatric nursing, she worked in medical-surgical and emergency care, giving her a well-rounded clinical foundation. Her multifaceted background enables her to prepare future nurses with a comprehensive understanding of both physical and mental health care, emphasizing empathy, evidence-based practice, and person-centered care.
Classes Taught
Dr. Gonzales teaches in both the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program and the Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing (DEMSN) track.
Education Background
She obtained her BSN degree from De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute in the Philippines, earned her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with an emphasis in Nursing Education from Grand Canyon University, and a Doctor in Nursing Practice (DNP) degree from Aspen University. She is pursuing a Post-Master’s Certificate in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) at Chamberlain University.
Research or Scholarship
Dr. Gonzales' DNP capstone project centered on the implementation of an evidence-based patient discharge tool aimed at reducing 30-day readmission rates within a substance abuse recovery center in Las Vegas. Driven by a commitment to improving client outcomes, her research showcases a practical application of evidence-based practices in the complex context of substance abuse recovery.
Awards, recognitions, or group affiliations
While pursuing her BSN degree, Dr. Gonzales founded a nonprofit institutional organization called Lasallian Medic Ally at De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute. Now known as the Lasallian Medic Society - Red Cross Youth (LMS-RCY), the organization promotes youth engagement through leadership, camaraderie, and community health initiatives.
Dr. Gonzales is an active member of several professional organizations, including Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (Zeta Kappa Chapter), the National Society of Leadership and Success, the Philippine Nurses Association (PNA), the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA), the Asian American Pacific Islander Nurses Association of Nevada (AAPINA), and the National League for Nursing (NLN). She also serves on various committees within the UNLV School of Nursing and university-wide, contributing to efforts that support diversity, equity, inclusion, and academic excellence.
Throughout her clinical career, she was recognized for her leadership and compassionate care, earning nominations for the Daisy Nurse Award and the March of Dimes Nurse of the Year Award in the Charge RN category.