Division of Nursing Faculty and Staff
Dr. Leslie Collins, Chair
Leslie Collins, DNP, MS, RN
Charles Morton Share Trust Division of Nursing Chair
Professor of Nursing
Contact Info
Office Carter Hall Nursing Administration Office-Alva Campus
Education
- Bachelors of Science in Nursing- NWOSU 2008
- Masters of Science with an emphasis in Nursing Education- The University of Oklahoma 2012
- Doctor of Nursing Practice- Duquesne University of the Holy Spirit 2015
Licensure
RN in the State of Oklahoma since 2008
Joined NWOSU
Summer of 2010
Teaching Competencies
- Introduction to Nursing Care and Skills
- Skills laboratory for Adult Health I
- Nursing Care of the Family
- Research Utilization- RN-to-BSN program
- Professional Issues in Nursing- RN-to-BSN program
- Nursing Leadership- Traditional and RN-to-BSN program
- Research Utilization- RN-to-BSN program
- Nursing Care in the Community- Traditional and RN-to-BSN program
- Advanced Research Methods
- Evidenced-Based Practice and Scholarly Activity in Advance Practice Nursing
- Population Health
- DNP Project
Research/Scholarly Interests
- Incivility in Nursing and Nursing Education
- Simulation in Nursing Education
Career Highlights
- Member of the OSRHE Nursing Articulation Agreement Taskforce- 2024
- Member of the OSRHE Nursing Pathways Advisory Gorup- 2023-2024
- DAISY Award Nominee- 2022-2023, 2023-2024
- Great Salt Plains Health Center Board Member and officer- 2014-Current
- MASH Camp Administrator- 2014-Current
- John Barton for Distinguished Teaching and Service award recipient- 2016
- Northwestern Greatest Student Involvement Service Award- 2015
- Served on the American Nurses Association Professional Panel- 2014-2015
- Faculty Champion in Obstetrics from the University of Oklahoma- 2014
Dr. Heidi Ritchie, BSN Programs Director
Dr. Heidi Ritchie, PhD, RN
BSN Programs Director
Assistant Professor of Nursing
Contact Info
Education
- PhD in Nursing Education- University of Northern Colorado, 2025
- MS with Emphasis in Nursing Education – University of Northern Colorado, 2003
- BSN –Nebraska Wesleyan University, 1998
- Diploma in Nursing – Bryan Memorial Hospital, 1996
Licensure
- Registered Nurse (RN) – Oklahoma
- BLS & ACLS Current
- Maintains a clinical practice as a RN in Cardiac Rehab
Joined NWOSU
August 2007-December 2008; August 2018
Teaching Competencies
- Research Utilization
- Leadership
- Adult Health I, II, III
- Pathophysiology
- Dysrhythmias
Research/Scholarly Interests
- Disorienting Dilemmas New Registered Nurses Experience
- Use of Technology in the Classroom
- Cardiac Nursing
- Leadership
- Mentoring of New Nurses and Faculty
Career Highlights
- DAISY Award Nominee- 2024, 2025
- Sigma Theta Tau, Beta Delta Chapter-at-Large 2025 Weatherby Memorial Graduate Scholarship, April 2025
- University of Northern Colorado College of Natural & Health Sciences Graduate Student Research Fund, March 2025
- Outstanding Faculty- Enid Campus – Northwestern Oklahoma State University 2007-08
- Graduate Dean’s Citation for Excellence- University of Northern Colorado 2003
- Phyllis Drennan Award for Outstanding Graduate Student: Nursing Education – University of Northern Colorado 2003
Dr. Gwyneth Holderby, DNP Program Director
Gwyneth Holderby, DNP, APRN, FNP-C
Wisdom Family Foundation Doctoral Program for Rural Nursing Practice Program Director
Assistant Professor of Nursing
Contact Info
Office Carter Hall Nursing Administration Office-Alva Campus
Education
- 2014 DNP, Oklahoma City University
- 2011 BSN, Oklahoma City University
Licensure
- RN in state of Oklahoma-2009
- APRN in state of Oklahoma-2014
Joined NWOSU
January 2023
Teaching Competencies
- Nursing Care in the Community
- Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics
- Advanced Pathophysiology
- Health Management Systems
- Advanced Holistic Assessment
- Primary Care of Families-Across the Lifespan
- DNP Project
- Over 1,000 hours of precepting DNP students
Research/Scholarly Interests
- Holderby, G. (2014) Overcoming Barriers to Wellness: The Experience of the Obese Adult in a Rural Community
Career Highlights
- Serving rural Oklahomans as a Family Care APRN for the past eleven years
- Sigma Theta Tau International, 2014
Dr. KeEra Byrd
KeEra Byrd, DNP, MSN, RN
Assistant Professor of Nursing
Contact Info
Education
- 2022 DNP, Walden University
- 2018 MSN in Nursing Education, West Governors University
- 2015 BSN, West Texas A&M University, Canyon, TX
Licensure
- Registered Nurse (RN) – Oklahoma
- Certifications: BLS, ACLS, CALS, CHSE
Joined NWOSU
August 2020
Teaching Competencies
- Introduction to Nursing Care and Skills
- Adult Health I
- Women’s Health
- Nursing Care of the Family
Research/Scholarly Interests
- Student Engagement
- Simulation in Nursing Education
- Developing resiliency in nursing students and new graduate nurese
Career Highlights
- Sigma Theta Tau International, 2015
Karry Easterly
Karry Easterly, BSN, RN
Instructor of Nursing
Contact Info
Education
- Current: Masters of Education in School Conseling, NWOSU
- 2019: Bachelors of Science in Nursing, NWOSU
Licensure
- Registered Nurse-Oklahoma
Certifications
- AHA CPR instructor
Joined NWOSU
August 2025
Career Highlights
- Registered Nurse in NW Oklahoma for 22 years
- School Nursing Experiences
- Certified Oncology Nurse
- Behavioral Health nursing
- House Supervisor nursing
- Medical/Surgical nursing
Dr. Krystal Elliott
Krystal Elliott, DNP, APRN, FNP-C
Assistant Professor of Nursing
Contact Info
Education
- Bachelors of Science in Nursing-NWOSU 2014
- Doctorate of Nursing Practice-NWOSU 2021
Licensure
- Registered Nurse-Oklahoma since 2014
- Advanced Registered Nurs Practitioner (APRN) since 2021
- American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) Natinal Board Certified since 2021
- Certifications: BLS
Joined NWOSU
August 2023
Teaching Competencies
- Holistic Assessment
- Adult Health I, II
- Pharmacology
- Nutrition
- Primary Care of Families- Pediatrics
Research/Scholarly Interests
- Wellness Among Student Nurses: Education and Self-Management Strategies for Professional Transitioning
- Student Wellness and Resiliency
Career Highlights
- DAISY Award Nominee- 2024, 2025
- Army Combat Medic for Eight Years
- Sigma Theta Tau-2014 and 2021-Present
- Serving Rural Oklahoma as a Nurse Practitioner for the last two years
- University Nursing Honor in 2014 and 2021
Dr. Sierra Elsey
Sierra Elsey, DNP, APRN, FNP-C
Assistant Professor of Nursing
Contact Info
Education
- Bachelor of Science in Health Science-SWOSU 2009
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing-NWOSU 2012
- Doctortate of Nursing Practice-NWOSU 2021
Licensure
- Registered Nurse-Oklahoma since 2012
- Certified Family Nurse Practioner since 2021
- Certifications: BLS, ACLS, BLS-Instructor, Neonatal Resuscitation, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, Point of Care Ultrasound Certification
Joined NWOSU
May 2023
Teaching Competencies
- Mental Health
- Holistic Assessment
Research/Scholarly Interests
- Postpartum Depression
- Human Lactation
- Mental Health
- Dementia
- Skin-to-Skin contact
Career Highlights
- Woodward News Best of the Best Nurse-2021
- Alliance Health Woodward: Service Excellence Award Winner-2016
- NWOSU Nursing-Leadership Award, Nursing Excellence Award, Outstanding Student Award-2012
Crystal Gillett
Crystal Gillett, MSN, RN
Instructor of Nursing
Contact Info
Education
- 2023 MSN, Northeastern State University
- 2017 BSN, Northwestern Oklahoma State University
- 2014 Associates Degree in Nursing, Northern Oklahoma College
- 2012 Associates Degree in Applied Science, Surgical Technology, Northern Oklahoma College
Licensure
- Registered Nurse (RN)- Oklahoma 2014
- Certification: BLS, BLS Instructor, CHSE
Joined NWOSU
August 2022
Teaching Competencies
- Critical Care Nursing
- Medical-Surgical Nursing
- Simulation in Nursing
Research/Scholarly Interests
- Developing confidence in new nurses
- Simulation in Nursing
Career Highlights
- Critical Care Nursing
- Awarded DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Educator academic year 2022-23
Dr. Hannah Hoppes
Hannah Hoppes, DNP, FNP-BC
Assistant Professor of Nursing
Contact Info
Education
- 2023: Doctor of Nursing Practice, University of Kansas
- 2016: Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Fort Hays State University
- 2013: Associate of Nursing, Kansas City Kansas Community College
- 2009: Bachelor of Science in Biblical Theology, Calvary University
Licensure
- Family Nurse Practitioner in the state of Kansas (2024), Oklahoma (2025)
- Registered Nurse in the state of Kansas (2014)
Certifications
- ANCC
- BLS, ACLS, PALS
Joined NWOSU
July 2025
Teaching Competencies
- Pharmacology
- Health Assessment
- Pathophysiology
- Quality Across Healthcare Systems
Research/Scholarly Interests
- Hoppes, H. (2023) Increasing Colorectal Cancer Screenings: Implementing Evidence-Based Process to Increase Colorectal Cancer Screenings in a Rural Kansas Clinic
Career Highlights
- Family Care APRN serving rural Kansans as a Hospitalist (2024) and in a rural health mobile clinic (2025)
Dr. Jennifer Mahieu
Jennifer Mahieu, DNP, MSN, RN
Recruitment, Retention, and Student Coach
Professor of Nursing
Contact Info
Education
- 2015: Doctor of Nursing Practice, Duquesne University
- 2004: Masters of Science in Nursing, University of Phoenix
- 1996: Bachelor of Science in Nursing, NWOSU
Licensure
- 1996: Registered Nurse ~ Oklahoma
Joined NWOSU
August 1998
Teaching Competencies
- Began my career as a nurse educator at NWOSU fall 1998 and have coordinated and/or taught many courses throughout the curriculum over these years.
Research/Scholarly Interests
- Student Success in Nursing
Career Highlights
- Making a difference in nursing education
- Becoming the Student Success Advisor at NWOSU
- Joining the Oklahoma Board of Nursing NCLEX Pass Rate Task Force
- Being inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society of Nursing
- Induction to the Northwest Oklahoma Honor Society of Nursing
- Joining The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi
- Awarded DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Educator academic year 2023-24
Sarah Martin
Sarah Martin, MSN, RN
Instructor of Nursing
Contact Info
Education
- 2023 Northeastern State University, Master of Science in Nursing Education
- 2015 Oklahoma City University, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Licensure
- 2016 Registered Nurse (RN), Oklahoma Board of Nursing
- Certifications: BLS, ACLS, PALS, NIHSS
Joined NWOSU
February 2024
Teaching Competencies
- Critical Care Nursing
- Public Health Nursing
- Professional Nursing Development
- Nursing Research
Research/Scholarly Interests
- Public Health Curriculum Development
- Rural Health Nursing
Career Highlights
- Adult Critical Care
- Public Health
- Maternal and Child Health
- American Nurses Association
- National League for Nursing
- Sigma Theta Tau
Dr. Ryan Sand
Ryan Sand, DNP, APRN-CNP, FNP-C/BC, ENP-C, AGACNP-BC
Assistant Professor of Nursing
Contact Info
Education
- Doctor of Nursing Practice – Education, Arkansas State University, 2025
- Post-Master’s Certificate – Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, University of Tulsa, 2025
- Post-Master’s Certificate – Emergency Nurse Practitioner, Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, 2024
- Master’s Degree in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner, Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, 2024
- Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing – Southwestern Oklahoma State University, 2022
Licensure
- APRN-CNP since 2024
- RN since 2021
- Nationally Registered Paramedic since 2005
Certifications
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner – Board Certified, 2026
- Emergency Nurse Practitioner – Board Certified, 2025
- Family Nurse Practitioner – Board Certified, 2024
- Certified Flight Registered Nurse, 2024
- Certified Emergency Nurse, 2022
- BLS, ACLS, PALS, ATLS
Joined NWOSU
January 2026
Teaching Competencies
- Advanced Research Methods
- Theory for Evidence-Based Advanced Nursing Practice
- Advanced Airway Management
- EMS Educator
Research/Scholarly Interests
- Sand, R. (2025). Enhancing Emergency Department Staff Competency in Ultrasound-Guided Venous Access at a Rural Critical Access Hospital
Career Highlights
- Family/Emergency APRN serving rural communities in Oklahoma since 2024
- Regional Director of Clinical Operations (Oklahoma) – Survival Flight, 2022-2025
- Flight Paramedic/Flight Nurse 2013-2025
- Twenty years of National EMS Certification Recognition – 2025
Dr. Angela Skousen
Angela Skousen, DNP, APRN, FNP-C
Assistant Professor of Nursing
Contact Info
Education
- 2020 DNP from Northwestern Oklahoma State University
- 1991 BSN from Northwestern Oklahoma State University
- 1982 ADN from Tulsa Junior College
Licensure
- APRN in Oklahoma from 2020
- RN in Oklahoma from 1987
Certifications
- Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
- Suboxone Certification
- Certified Medical Micropigmentation
Joined NWOSU
August 2024
Teaching Competencies
- Preceptor for doctoral nurse practitioner students
- Biostatistics for Advanced Nursing Practice
- Health policy for Advanced Nursing Practice
Research/Scholarly Interests
- Educating College Males to Increase HPV Vaccination Rates on Campus, PowerPoint, Alva, OK
Career Highlights
- Precepting doctoral nurse practitioner students in a family practice clinic in rural Oklahoma
Pam Hess
Charles Morton Share Trust Divison of Nursing Coordinator
Contact Info
Office Carter Hall 103- Alva Campus
Education
- Associate of Arts Degree-Dodge City Community College
Joined NWOSU
January 2018
Hobbies
- Attending athletic events
- Entertaining family
- Going to movies
Family
- Husband – Tony Hess
- Sons – Lane and Dalton
University Service
- Staff Council
- Athletic Advisory Council
- DAISY Award Coordinator
Brenna Smith
Charles Morton Share Trust Division of Nursing Assistant
Contact Info
Carter Hall Administration- Alva Campus
Education
- Associate in Science Degree-Northern Oklahoma College
Joined NWOSU
November 2023
Hobbies
- Doing Puzzles
- Spending time with family
Family
- Spouse – Nicholas Hale
- Daughter- Casey