Heather Warlan’s background is in hospital quality, regulatory compliance, nursing theory and education, nursing orientation and professional development, Magnet accreditation, transition to practice programs, program management, and research.
Dr. Warlan is currently the Magnet Program Director and the Director of the New Graduate Transition to Practice Program.
Prior to becoming a nurse, Dr. Warlan was a research coordinator and assistant manager of an active clinical trials department.
As an educator, Dr. Warlan has taught pre-licensure and masters-level students in the classroom setting, simulation lab, and in the clinical setting.
Do you have any particular areas of interest/specialization related to nursing leadership, nursing education, or informatics?
- Magnet
- Professional development
- Professional governance
What motivated your interest in serving on the advisory board for the MSN-NL program? What are you hoping to contribute?
As a proud USD alumna, I’m deeply committed to fostering strong partnerships between academic institutions and healthcare organizations. Serving on the MSN-NL advisory board is a meaningful opportunity to give back to the university while helping shape the future of nursing leadership. In my current role, I see firsthand the growing need for robust leadership development among nurse leaders. I hope to contribute insights from the field, advocate for curriculum elements that reflect real-world challenges, and support the cultivation of innovative, well-prepared nurse leaders who can thrive in today’s complex healthcare environment.