Ruth Irwin, PhD, RN, CSN

Dr. Ruth E. Irwin joined the School of Nursing as Assistant Professor in August 2015. Her research interests include simulation in pre-licensure nursing education, incorporation of cultural considerations for patient populations in simulation, techniques in debriefing during and at the conclusion of a simulation, and leadership development in nursing education and practice. Dr. Irwin received her Diploma in nursing from the Washington Hospital School of Nursing, her BSN from Slippery Rock University, MSN from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and PhD from Duquesne University, School of Nursing.

She guided the development and incorporation of simulation in an undergraduate nursing curriculum along with the use of handheld technology, and bar coding in the simulation laboratory. Dr. Irwin led the initiative of conducting Mini-Health Fairs in the community focusing on the inter-professional education of nursing and dental students.

Dr. Irwin has presented at several national and local conferences on simulation, debriefing, and teaching nursing students in the community setting. She has published her process used to disseminate simulation throughout a nursing program.

Dr. Irwin brings years of experience in nursing education. She taught in a RN to BSN program, undergraduate nursing programs, and hospital education department. Dr. Irwin has an extensive background in the acute care hospital setting with previous positions as Vice President of Operations and Vice President of Patient Care. In these roles she researched and planned outpatient care centers in the local community and led a multimillion dollar construction of an Ambulatory Care Center with full Surgical and Endoscopic suites, Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapies, Medical Imaging Diagnostic services, Laboratory services, and physician offices.

Dr. Irwin has volunteered for the American Heart Association, Westmoreland County. Currently she serves on the Advisory Board of Directors for the Bayada Homehealth Pediatric division.

Education

PhD, Duquesne University, School of Nursing, Pittsburgh, PA
MSN, Indiana University, Indiana, PA
BSN, Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, PA
Diploma, Washington Hospital School of Nursing, Washington, PA

• Simulation
• Leadership
• International education for undergraduate and graduate students
• Staff development