Gasser Named NLN Foundation Scholar for Work Addressing Nurse Burnout
The College of Nursing congratulates Stephanie Gasser, MSN-Ed, RN-BC, CNE, senior lecturer, on being named one of only fourteen recipients of the distinguished 2025 NLN Foundation Nursing Education Faculty Scholarship Award. Awarded by the National League for Nursing Foundation (NLN) for Nursing Education, this highly competitive scholarship honors advanced-degree nursing students who demonstrate a strong commitment to careers in nursing education.
Gasser, a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) student in the Executive Health Systems Leadership (EHSL) specialty, received funding to support her academic and professional pursuits. The scholarship will be officially awarded at the 2025 NLN Education Summit, scheduled to take place in Orlando, Florida, in September.
“This award is very meaningful to me,” said Gasser. “The funding will enable me to expand my knowledge of integrative health and allow me to present my DNP Project at a conference in 2026.” Gasser intends to use the scholarship funds to continue her studies at the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona.
Gasser’s DNP project focuses on Stress First Aid, an evidence-based peer support framework originally developed for the military and first responders. The National Center for PTSD has adapted this framework for healthcare workers. Her project introduces these essential stress management tools to new nurses during their first year of practice, a particularly vulnerable period characterized by transition shock, burnout, and high attrition rates. Nearly one in three new nurses leaves their first job within a year, representing a costly loss for the profession. Burnout significantly contributes, with many new graduates reporting substantial stress during their initial year on the job. The project offers solutions that support individual nurses, nurse leaders, and healthcare organizations in addressing stress injuries. Stress First Aid also helps establish a common language around stress and burnout, reducing stigma and promoting psychological safety when nurses or others seek support.
She credits the supportive environment of the College of Nursing with helping her reach this milestone. “Over the past three years, I’ve been guided and encouraged by incredible mentors, leaders, and colleagues,” she said. “I’m especially grateful to Dr. Connie Miller, Dr. Ashley Ruiz, and Sarah Hoogasian for their recommendation letters, and to my DNP project chair, Dr. Cindy Rishel, along with committee members Dr. Lindsey Bouchard and Dr. Kara Snyder, for their support.”
“We are incredibly proud of Stephanie’s national recognition,” said Brian Ahn, PhD, dean of the College of Nursing. “Her passion for innovation in nurse education and her focus on supporting the mental health of new nurses align perfectly with the values of our college. This award is a testament to her leadership and the bright future she is helping shape for the nursing profession."
“Stephanie is deeply committed to scholarly teaching, and her innovative work to support student and clinician well-being reflects that dedication," said Connie Miller, DNP, RNC-OB, CNE, clinical professor. “Her integration of evidence-based strategies with her passion for integrative health—enhanced through her collaboration with the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine—demonstrates a forward-thinking, holistic vision for the future of nursing education.”
With a passion for leadership and innovation in nursing education, Gasser is dedicated to transforming how nurses are prepared for the emotional and psychological challenges of the profession. As she advances in her doctoral journey, she plans to incorporate these evidence-based strategies into the classroom, clinical training, and professional practice. Her ultimate goal is to enhance student learning while promoting the long-term well-being and resilience of the nursing workforce, creating lasting change that benefits both nurses and the patients they serve.