Kristen Oakley, PhD, RN, NPD-BC, CMSRN, CNEcl

Biography

Dr. Kristen N. Oakley serves as an Associate Professor in both the undergraduate and graduate nursing programs. She brings a strong background in medical-surgical nursing and nursing professional development to her academic role.

Dr. Oakley is deeply committed to patient-centered care and is passionate about preparing future nurses to excel in both the art and science of nursing practice. She values teaching in both clinical and classroom settings, where she fosters critical thinking, compassionate care, and clinical excellence among her students.

In addition to her teaching, Dr. Oakley is dedicated to advancing the nursing profession through meaningful and rigorous research, with a primary focus on nursing education.

She resides in Lynchburg, Virginia, with her husband and their three children.

Professional Memberships

• Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses
• American Nurses Association/Virginia Nurses Association
• Association for Nursing Professional Development
• National League for Nursing
• Sigma Theta Tau International

Courses Taught

• NURS 115 Pathophysiology
• NURS 021 Fundamentals in Nursing Clinical
• NURS 301 Strategies in Adult Health Care I
• NURS 031 Strategies in Adult Health Care I Clinical
• NURS 301 Strategies in Adult Health Care II
• NURS 032 Strategies in Adult Health Care II Clinical
• NURS 500 Research

Publications (peer-reviewed articles)

• Oakley, K. N., Copel, L. C., & Ross, J. G. (2026). Secondary traumatic stress in baccalaureate nursing students: A multi-method study. Journal of Professional Nursing, 65(1), 180-188. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2026.05.010
• Oakley, K. N., Copel, L. C., & Ross, J. G. (2025). Secondary traumatic stress in baccalaureate nursing students: A pilot study. Journal of Nursing Education, 64(7), 445-448. https://doi.org/10.3928/01484834-20250129-03
• Oakley, K. N., Copel, L. C., & Ross, J. G. (2025). Secondary traumatic stress in nursing students: An integrative review. Nurse Educator, 50(1), E47-E52. https://doi.org/10.1097/NNE.0000000000001716

Research Interests

• Clinical Education
• Curriculum Development
• Professional Development in Nursing
• Nursing Student Transition to Practice
• Secondary Traumatic Stress in Prelicensure Nursing Students
• Teaching Strategies and Student Learning