Jennifer J. Wasco

DNP, RN
Director of Professional Development
Assistant Professor
Acute & Tertiary Care

Profile

Dr. Jennifer Wasco is a nurse educator and scholar whose work focuses on transforming nursing education through technology, innovation, and evidence-based teaching practices. Her scholarly interests center on integrating environmental health, climate change, and sustainable healthcare concepts into nursing curricula. She designs and implements forward-thinking educational strategies, preparing nurses to lead in evolving healthcare landscapes.

Dr. Wasco uses simulation-based instruction, online pedagogy, and active learning methodologies to create impactful learning experiences that promote clinical competence, environmental literacy, and sustainable healthcare practices.

As the Director of Professional Development and Continuing Education at the School of Nursing, she is dedicated to advancing lifelong learning and faculty development. In this role, she oversees strategic initiatives that support the ongoing education of the professional nursing workforce.

Dr. Wasco plays a vital role in shaping the future of nursing education by fostering pedagogical innovation, enhancing faculty technological proficiency, and aligning educational efforts with institutional goals for academic and professional growth.

Clinical Emphasis

Dr. Wasco applies evidence-based pedagogical strategies - including simulation, active learning strategies, and technology-enhanced instruction to advance clinical competency while embedding principles of environmental sustainability and climate-resilient healthcare into nursing education.

Scholarly Emphasis

Dr. Wasco's scholarly work focuses on teaching excellence. She explores innovations in online learning, instructional design, curriculum development, and evidence-based pedagogy.  A key emphasis of her scholarly agenda includes integrating environmental health and sustainable practices into nursing education to ensure clinicians are trained in environmentally responsible healthcare delivery.

Teaching

Dr. Wasco is an instructor for NUR 0001 – First Year Seminar, NUR 0053 – Introduction to Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity in Healthcare, NUR 0080 – Foundations of Nursing Practice I, NUR 0081 – Foundations of Nursing Practice II, and NUR 1281 – Foundations of Nursing Practice I, ABSN.

Service

Dr. Wasco is an Advisory Board Member for the Pennsylvania Action Coalition, Clinical Faculty and Preceptor Academy, and the Nursing Continuing Professional Development Advisor for Wellcoaches®. She is also a member of the Association for Nursing Professional Development, the National League for Nursing, and Sigma. She is the past co-chair of the education HUB for the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments.