2024 APNA Award for Excellence in Education

Jennifer Graber, EdD, APRN, PMHCNS-BC

Nominated by Kristen Bomboy, DNP, APRN-CNP, PMHNP

From an uncertain launch, this first-generation college student propelled herself from undergrad to advanced degrees and has forged a legacy of education through thousands of her own students. Jennifer Graber shares, “My goal with teaching has always been to help nurses understand that no matter where they work, mental health presents everywhere. From there, my passion has expanded to drive the development of more PMH nurse educators, which are unfortunately in short supply.”

Jennifer was drawn to psychology and the sciences through her entry-level coursework at the University of Delaware (UD). Many told her she would make a great nurse, so she decided to meet with the Dean of the School of Nursing, who made an exception and allowed her to transfer into the program to complete her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

Encouraged by a psychiatric nursing professor mentor, Jennifer pursued a scholarship program at the University of Pennsylvania that would allow her to complete a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) full-time over the course of a year to become a PMH advanced practice registered nurse (APRN).

While completing her MSN, Jennifer worked at the Delaware Psychiatric Center and reluctantly started her teaching journey as part of the job description. “I was essentially forced into teaching. I initially hated speaking in front of others,” she recalls “But, before I knew it, I was teaching clinicals to undergraduate students from all different area schools at the state hospital – after just graduating myself that May.”

Friends and colleagues consistently encouraged Jennifer to continue teaching in a full-time role. She took the step forward and was hired as a full-time instructor teaching PMH to students working toward their RN at Delaware Technical Community College (DTCC). Jennifer had to overcome the feeling that she was just a short time out of school and now teaching other students.

A colleague at the University of Delaware (UD) contacted Jennifer about an open teaching position that would allow her to use her Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership with students at the graduate level. She’d been happy during her 9 years teaching at DTCC and was unsure about making a change. She took the leap, taking the position teaching clinicals to undergraduate students while defending her doctoral dissertation. Two years into the position, a new PMHNP program was under development at UD – Jennifer was tapped to teach both the undergraduate and graduate PMHNP courses and mentor students through their psychiatric rotations.

Jennifer helped build and implement the PMHNP Program at UD while teaching, serving as a preceptor, chairing committees, and supervising DNP student projects. She continues to mentor students after graduation and has published and presented with current and past students alike.

“Making a difference to students is very important to me,” she says. “I’ve taught thousands of students. I see them everywhere, and I love to hear what they’re doing now. I’m inspired seeing all the great things former students have accomplished.”

Three years ago, Jennifer was recruited to serve as Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Practice Initiatives alongside her ongoing position as Associate Professor at UD. She has taught all of the undergraduate and graduate level psychiatric-mental health nursing courses and has implemented a new direct admissions program that allows undergraduate students to automatically proceed into the graduate program while they begin their work in the field as a nurse.

Jennifer also works to develop new curriculum, finding new and innovative ways to drive student interest in PMH nursing. She has added peer mentoring programs to encourage student excitement about research and has paired graduate-level honor students with undergraduate honor students to work on research projects. In addition, Jennifer received funding to support best teaching practices, including proposals for the use of virtual reality and improved student self-management.

“I’m devoted to attracting more nurse educators to the field,” Jennifer says. “And, excited that this Fall we are launching our new master’s program in nursing education, and we’ve developed an exciting MOU with a community college to help build a pipeline of students for the new program.”

Jennifer is an effective professor and mentor who works relentlessly to help others achieve their dreams – which in turn supports PMH nurse recruitment. She explains, “A student on the first day of psych clinicals once informed me that she was not going to get anything out of the experience – she was only there because it was mandatory. That student went on to become a PMH nurse. I’m excited today about our great, diverse cohort of adjunct faculty. All are PMHNPs who came through our program and now also work at UD to encourage other students to become nurse educators.”

Recently, Jennifer was accepted into the prestigious UD ACHIEVE Fellows program that helps mentor and guide faculty. She represents the College of Health Sciences in the fellowship program, which provides small group mentoring and supporting faculty interested in promotion and tenure. Jennifer is responsible for group workshops, one-on-one consultations, and collaboration to ensure the success of faculty development initiatives across the University. Jennifer also serves as a Harvard Macy Faculty where she mentors health care professionals in the art of teaching new health care professionals.

Sharing encouraging words for those who might be hesitant to take on more in their careers, Jennifer says, “I’m the person who said no to opportunities at first. Then I listened to mentors and said yes. I never thought I’d get an advanced education and help others do the same…but you never know where you’ll go when you say yes.”