Loretta Aller, Ph.D., RN
Biography
Dr. Aller serves as an Assistant Professor for the ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï College of Nursing. Her research has resulted in a contemporary model of undergraduate nursing education centered on decision-making and self-efficacy, specifically designed to counteract high turnover rates for new graduates. Her reimagined theory of undergraduate nursing education addresses high attrition rates for nurses entering the workforce and leads to informed, evidence-based curricular and program decisions for better nurse preparation and patient safety. Dr. Aller’s current research uses multi-platform virtual simulation to measure the experience of nursing students: the movement from self-doubt (anxiety, fear) to self-efficacy (confidence and competence) and the development of safe patient care decisions based on sound clinical judgment. Based on her findings, Dr. Aller and her research team are conducting feasibility testing for the Aller’s Development of Decision-Making and Self-Efficacy in Undergraduate Nursing Education model at ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï and the University of Mount Union. Dr. Aller’s recent study findings were published in Nurse Educator, and she has authored several book chapters for Elsevier’s Fundamentals of Nursing. She has also embraced unique methods of knowledge dissemination through invitational podcasts and webinars, including participation in a recent podcast series by Nurse Educator.
Previous to her current position, she served as an Associate Lecturer at ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï at Stark for over a decade, and her work experience includes clinical and administrative positions at Akron General/Cleveland Clinic, Summa Health, Hospice & Palliative Care of Visiting Nurse Service, and Middlebury Manor in Akron, as well as test item writing, reviewing, and teaching for Kaplan, Inc. and Elsevier Publishing, Inc. She and her research team received funding from the Health Foundation of Greater Massillon and the Austin-Bailey Health & Wellness Foundation, as well as internal funding awards through ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï. Dr. Aller received her PhD, MSN, and BSN degrees from ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï.
- NURS 35060 - Critical Thinking and Test Taking
Education
MSN, ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï
BSN, ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï
Publications
- Aller, L. (2020). A Contemporary Model for Undergraduate Nursing Education: A Grounded Theory Study. Nurse Educator, 46(4), 250–254. https://doi-org.proxy.library.kent.edu/10.1097/NNE.0000000000000933
- Aller, L. J. (2019). Exploring the developmental process of undergraduate nursing students (Order No. 27725723). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (2355993373). Retrieved from http://proxy.library.kent.edu/login?url=https://www-proque
Affiliations
- National League for Nurses
- Quality and Safety Education for Nurses
- International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Nursing
Awards/Achievements
- Distinguished Teaching Award Nominee, ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï State Stark, March 2020
- Daisy Award Nominee for Excellence in Nursing Education – Graduate program, Malone University, May 2019
- Health Foundation of Greater Massillon Challenge Grant Awarded, May 2019
- University Teaching Council Summer Grant Awarded, ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï, Summer 2019
- QSEN Institute (Quality and Safety Education for Nurses) – named Simulation Task Force Coordinator, Case Western Reserve University, December 2018
- Austin-Bailey Health & Wellness Foundation Grant Awarded, ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï State Stark, May 2018
- Distinguished Teaching Award Nominee, ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï State Stark, March, 2018
- Distinguished Teaching Award Nominee, ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï State Stark, May, 2017
- Barbara Donaho Award of Excellence, ÌìÌì³Ô¹Ï, October 2013
- ACE Teaching Excellence Award, Kaplan, Inc., November, 2012