Alice Blazeck | School of Nursing | University of Pittsburgh

DNSc, RN, CHSE

Assistant Professor

Acute & Tertiary Care

Profile

I am investigating the use of deliberate practice as a teaching strategy, the use of simulation on the development of clinical reasoning and the effects of simulation on student self-efficacy. I am also 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.

My 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. I have also studied the unidentified needs of the patient having open-heart surgery and the identification and prediction of child abuse.

Clinical Emphasis

Previously, in addition to my teaching experience I practiced on coronary, medical, surgical, thoracic, and trauma intensive care units and general medical surgical units in many cities in the Northeast.

Teaching

I am the primary teacher for “Applied Cardiopulmonary Critical Care”, a special topics course for senior students and the primary teacher for sophomores’, “Foundations of Nursing Practice I”, the first course students experience direct interactions with patients. In addition to these didactic teaching responsibilities, I provided clinical instruction for senior-level students at UPMC-Presbyterian Hospital, sophomore and junior-level students at the Veterans’ Administration Hospital, in skills lab and at the WISER simulation center. I was a member of the team that launched the initial Basic Simulation Critical Care Course (BSC3) using high fidelity simulation for critical care staff nurse orientation at UPMC Passavant Hospital.

Prior to joining University of Pittsburgh, I 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. I am an honored recipient of the Dean’s Distinguished Teaching Award (2010) and the Nursing Education and Technology Award (2011) from the School of Nursing. I received the Nightingale of Pennsylvania Nurse Educator Award (2011).

I was privileged to accept the University of Pittsburgh Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Award in 2012. I am 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

I am the Vice Chair for Clinical Education for the Department of Acute & Tertiary Care. I serve or served on the BSN Council, BSN Curriculum Committee, the Faculty Practice Council and other committees at the School of Nursing.

I am a member of Sigma Theta Tau, the American Nurses Association, the Academy of Medical Surgical Nursing Association, and the American Association of Critical Care Nurses. I hold a lifetime membership to the National PTA in recognition of my work in support of children’s health and welfare. I have 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. I was an invited guest at Capital Medical Hospital and University in Beijing.