Jennifer Pfannes, DNP, RN, CPN
Associate Professor-in-Residence, BSN Program Director
Biography
Dr. Jennifer Pfannes is a nationally certified pediatric certified nurse. She joined the School of Nursing in 2013 as the Nursing Student Success Facilitator, where she refined and established a full-time foundation for the school’s student success and mentoring program. Over the past several years, she has held various leadership roles, including Dedicated Education Unit (DEU) Coordinator, where she oversaw the implementation and maintenance of multiple DEUs in collaboration with several clinical partners, and Co-Director of Nurse Camp, where early interest in the profession of nursing was fostered through immersive experiences for high school students. She also served as the 2nd bachelor of science in nursing (ABSN) Program Track Lead, where she utilized innovative strategies to develop, implement, and evaluate the online, accelerated program. She currently serves as an Associate Professor and Director of the BSN Program. In these roles, Dr. Pfannes has developed new curricula, established evaluation processes, and utilized innovative mechanisms to ensure a student-centered approach to both teaching and leadership.
Expertise
She is a leader and educator in prelicensure nursing education. Her experience includes incorporating innovative clinical strategies at the pre-licensure level, including the utilization of the DEU model for undergraduate clinical education. Additionally, her experience with student success strategies informs her leadership and teaching roles.
Classes Taught
Dr. Pfannes has experience teaching in classroom, online, clinical, and simulation settings in the fields of nutrition and human development across the lifespan, medical terminology, population health in the community, pediatric nursing, fundamentals, complex care, nursing leadership and transition to practice, and clinical synthesis at the master's level.
Education Background
She graduated from the UNLV School of Nursing with her bachelor of science in nursing in 2002 and her DNP in 2019. Her graduate studies focused on the evaluation and sustainability of a DEU model for undergraduate nursing clinical education.
Research or Scholarship
Her scholarship is focused on clinical innovation and trends in nursing education.
Awards, recognitions, or group affiliations
Dr. Pfannes was named the March of Dimes Pediatric Nurse of the Year in 2007 and has received the 1st Place Award for the UMC Research Empowerment Day in the Poster Presentation category. In 2021, 2023, and 2024, she was also recognized by the Nevada Nurses Foundation with the Shining Stars of Nursing in Nevada 50 under 50 Award. She was also recognized by the Nevada Nurses Foundation in 2023 for serving on the Sigma Zeta Kappa at Large Chapter Board.
Dr. Pfannes is currently a member of the American Nurses Association and the Nevada Nurses Association, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, and Sigma Zeta Kappa at Large Chapter. She serves as a faculty senator on the University Faculty Senate and on the University’s Student Conduct Hearing Board. She currently co-chairs the BSN Curriculum Revision Ad Hoc Committee and participates in numerous School of Nursing committees and work groups.