Degree Major Emphasis Institution Year
D.N.P. Nursing Western University of Health Sciences 2013
M.S.N. Nursing Education California State University Dominguez Hills 2001
B.S.N. Nursing Loma Linda University 1988
A.S.N. Nursing Loma Linda University 1981

I am enrolled at Western University of Health Sciences where I am pursuing a Doctorate of Nursing Practice Degree. I have completed all coursework and am working on my dissertation which focuses on student led high risk scenarios.

I have taught a variety of nursing classes in a Licensed Vocational Nursing Program, Associate Degree Programs, and Bachelor of Science Programs. Some of these include Nutrition, and Pharmacology, Nursing Fundamentals, Medical/Surgical Nursing, Health Promotion, Pathophysiology, Research, Pediatrics, and Maternal Child Nursing. I have also taught an NCLEX review course for five years while employed by a national test preparation company.

I am approved by the Board of Registered nursing to teach Medical-Surgical Nursing, Geriatric Nursing, Pediatric Nursing, and Maternal-Child Nursing. I am pursuing scholarly endeavors related to preconception health and high risk scenarios.

I have previously taught at Valley College, Riverside Community College, Loma Linda University, and for Kaplan.

Research:
Student Led High Risk Scenarios, 2015
Publications:
Leifer, G. (2005). Maternity Nursing: An Introductory Text (9th ed). Philadelphia , PA : Elsevier. (Contributing author).
Leifer, G. (2007). Maternity Nursing: An Introductory Text (10th ed). Philadelphia , PA : Elsevier. (Contributing Author).
Rischer, K. (2021) Think Like a Nurse (3rd ed.) Contributing Author

Presentations:
Leading Following, Niagra on the Lake, Canada, 2010
Health Promotion to enhance the lives of those in Ghana, 2011
Student Led High Risk Scenarios, Las Vegas, 2012
Student Led High Risk Scenarios, San Diego, 2012
Preconception Health, Riverside, 2012
Preconception Health, Fresno, 2012
Adolescent Development and Preconception Health, Costa Mesa, 2013
Student Led High Risk Scenarios, San Francisco, 2013
Communication Techniques, Conflict Management, and Prenatal Development, University of Nilai, Mylasia, 2013
Preconception Health" & “Visions for PPE in the Inland Empire, Riverside, 2014
Preconception Peer Educator Overview and Visions for PPE in the Inland Empire, Riverside, 2014
Preconception Health" & “Visions for PPE in the Inland Empire Riverside, 2015
Life Course and Preconception Health, Riverside, CA - 2015
Preconception Health" & “Visions for PPE in the Inland Empire, Riverside, CA - March, 2016
Life Choices for a Healthy Life, Riverside, CA , 2016
Infant Mortality and Rationales for Preconception Health and Developing a Life Plan, Linn Benton University, Albany, Oregon, May, 2016.
"Why Nursing", , Norco Community College, May, 2016.
Teaching Health Literacy Strategies to Nursing Students in Postpartum, Irvine, CA, 2017.
Overview of the Preconception Peer Education Program and Preconception as a Life Course Perspective, Charles Drew University, Compton, April, 2017.
Preconception as a Life Couse Perspective. Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, 2017.
Preconception as a Life Course Perspective, Riverside, CA March and October 2017.
Preconception Health to Improve the Health of Future Generations: Opportunities for Resume Building and Community Involvement, Ontario, CA, 2018.
Student Directed High Risk Scenarios: An Innovative Teaching Strategy.- London, England, 2018
Preconception as a Life Course Perspective, Riverside, 2018
Simulation at California Baptist University, at Joint Advisory Meeting, January 2019
Student Led High Risk Scenarios, Loma Linda University, May 2019
Preconception as a Life Course Perspective, California Baptist University, March and November, 2019
Providing Innovative Unique Clinical Alternatives, KeithRN Live (Virtual), 2021

I attend the Well which is a Southern Baptist church. I participate in a weekly small group Bible study in addition to attending Sunday services. I have participated in missionary trips to Ghana, Mexico, and Malaysia.

I enjoy helping others in a variety of ways. I use my nursing skills and knowledge to help individuals access needed health services by acting as a liaison between them and their insurance companies or medical providers (especially the elderly). I provide one on one childbirth courses to teens, especially those who plan to place their babies for adoption. I also provide teaching presentations on various health topics to various groups in the community. I am actively involved in promoting preconception health through participation on the local, state, and national level committees. I have been involved in teaching programs with March of Dimes and Girls Inc. I also volunteered with New Hope clinic which provides free healthcare and dental care. I served on an ISP faculty team to Mylasia this summer working at the University of Nilai. I assist my husband setting up free dental clinics in the Inland Empire and in Mexico.

I served for seven years on the Office of Minority Health Preconception Peer Education Advisory Board until it was discontinued in 2020 in Washington/Maryland.

I am currently a member of the Keith RN Advisory Board working with educators throughout the country who are dedicated to improving the critical thinking and readiness for practice for nursing students.

I have three daughters and two sons and five grandchildren.. Reno has become my favorite place to visit because that is where my oldest daughter and three of my grandchildren live! I enjoy traveling, especially cruises where you arrive at a new destination each day. Our family has a tradition of going each summer to Mt. Hermon, which is Christian family camp located in the Redwoods above Santa Cruz. I enjoy reading, sailing, jet skiing, and attending live theater shows. One of my passions is helping students with learning differences to be successful.

Jesus is our example. His life was balanced. As faculty and students who want to thrive and not just survive, we must live a balanced life by being strong mentally, physically, spiritually, and socially. I believe that my mission is to help develop students with the knowledge and skills necessary to be nurses of excellence and to also teach them the importance of taking care of their own bodies, engaging in activities that will bring them into a closer relationship with the Lord, and learning to interact on a deeper level with those around them.



“He grew in wisdom, stature and favor, with God and men.” Luke 2:52

One of my favorite verses is: Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
and He will make your paths straight.

- Proverbs 3:5-6, NASB

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