Alice Blazeck | School of Nursing | University of Pittsburgh

DNSc, RN, CHSE

Assistant Professor

Acute & Tertiary Care

Profile

Dr. Blazeck investigates the use of deliberate practice as a teaching strategy, the use of simulation on the development of clinical reasoning and clinical judgment and the effects of simulation on student self-efficacy. She was a co-investigator in a grant funded by The International Society for Heart & Lung Transplantation titled: "A Randomized Controlled Trial to Assess the Effects of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction on Stress and Anxiety in Caregivers of Lung Transplant Patients" funded by The International Society for Heart & Lung Transplantation. She was a co-investigator in a project awarded the Leslie Hoffmann Award to study the impact of Escape room simulation verses High fidelity simulation on teamwork and communication. Dr. Blazeck has presented her work nationally and intentionally.

Her previous research examined the effects on heart rate, heart rhythm, and arterial blood pressure of three procedures used by acute myocardial infraction patients to move in bed. She has also studied the unidentified needs of the patient having open-heart surgery. Additionally, she has been involved with the identification and prediction of child abuse.

Clinical Emphasis

Previously, in addition to her teaching experience, Dr. Blazeck practiced on coronary, medical, surgical, thoracic, and trauma intensive care units and general medical surgical units in the Northeast.

Teaching

Dr. Blazeck is the primary teacher for “Applied Cardiopulmonary Critical Care”, a special topics course for senior students and the primary teacher for sophomores in the traditional BSN and ABSN program in “Foundations of Nursing Practice I”, the first course students experience direct interactions with patients. In addition to these didactic teaching responsibilities, she teaches in the simulation skills lab. Dr. Blazeck also provided clinical instruction for senior-level students at UPMC-Presbyterian Hospital, sophomore and junior-level students at the Veterans’ Administration Hospital.

Prior to joining University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Blazeck taught senior-level critical care and leadership courses at DeSales University, Allentown, PA and practiced as a critical care clinical nurse specialist/staff development instructor at the Veteran’s Administration Medical Center in Washington, D.C. She is an honored recipient of the Dean’s Distinguished Teaching Award (2010) and the Nursing Education and Technology Award (2011) from the School of Nursing. She also received the Nightingale of Pennsylvania Nurse Educator Award (2011).

Dr. Blazeck was privileged to accept the University of Pittsburgh Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Award in 2012. She is also Project Co-director for the University of Pittsburgh Provost`s Advisory Council on Instructional Excellence Innovation in Education Award titled: A Strategy to Improve Professional Competence & Use of Individualized Evidence-Based Patient Teaching in a Large Enrollment Course Offered at Two Campuses (2013).

Service

Dr. Blazeck holds a lifetime membership to the National PTA in recognition of her work in support of children’s health and welfare. She has served as a consultant at the national and international level regarding simulation, clinical teaching and curriculum development, for faculty from Germany, Turkey, Japan, South Africa, Kazakhstan, and China.