Jennifer Biggs, PhD, RN, CHSE
Biography
I serve as the Simulation Lab Coordinator for the College of Nursing at Kent State University. I earned my PhD and Master of Science in Nursing Education from Kent State University and my BSN from Ursuline College. My clinical background includes 15 years as a registered nurse in high-risk obstetrical nursing.
I have taught nursing informatics, leadership, international healthcare policy, and obstetrical and community-based clinicals. During my tenure, simulation has expanded to all undergraduate nursing courses and select graduate courses. Key initiatives include a large-scale disaster simulation with local emergency response teams, integration of theatre students as standardized patients, expansion of simulation space and equipment, development of simulation scenarios, and contribution to the invention and research of a haptic intravenous catheter training device.
I oversee the College of Nursing study abroad program in Florence, Italy. I also enjoy being the lead race director for Race Into Finals, which supports our student emergency fund. My doctoral research examined nursing students’ lived experiences interacting with actors in simulation using interpretive phenomenology. I have presented nationally and internationally and have contributed to funded grants and peer-reviewed publications.
Courses
- NURS 40089 - International Health Care
Education
MSN, Kent State University, 2011
BSN, Ursuline College, 2000
Publications
- Rafferty-Semon, P., Jarzembak, J., Shanholtzer, J., (January 31, 2017) "Simulating Complex Community Disaster Preparedness: Collaboration for Point of Distribution" OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing Vol. 22, No. 1, Manuscript 3.
Affiliations
- International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning
- Association of Women's Health Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses
- Ohio Consortium of Nursing Learning Labs
Awards/Achievements
- NTT professional Excellence Award, 2017
- NTT professional Excellence Award, 2016
- NTT professional Excellence Award, 2015
- NTT professional Excellence Award, 2014
- Shanholtzer, J. & Jarzembak, J. 2014. Kent State University Institutional Advancement. 2015- 2016 Foundation Grant Program. Request to purchase intravenous smart pumps. $14,000. 8/2015- 5/2016. Funded
- Rafferty-Semon, P., Shanholtzer, J., & Jarzembak, J. 2014. Kent State University Office of Experiential Education and Civic Engagement. The Engaged Experiential Education Instructional Mini-Grant. Creating Partnerships in Preparing the Community for Di
- Van Baars, E., Fritsche, A., Jarzembak, J., & Shanholtzer, J. 2014. Kent State University Institutional Advancement. 2015- 2016 Foundation Grant Program. Request to fund collaboration with School of Theatre and Dance. $8,000. 8/2015- 5/2016. Funded
- Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator
- Robertson, K., Jarzembak, J., Shanholtzer, J., & Jarzembak, K. 2018. The Elisabeth Severance Prentiss Foundation. Learning in Action Through High-Impact Simulation. $28,500.