Laura Steakin ’97, R.N., M.S.N.

A passionate nurse educator, Laura Steakin is a lecturer and clinical coordinator for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. She has over a decade of clinical care experience, which she brings to her work educating the next generation of nurses. She earned a B.A. in Social Work on the Hill before going on to earn a B.S. in Nursing and an M.S. in Nursing Education from Stevenson University.

My passion for education emerged through precepting Nursing students at the bedside, which led to roles as a clinical instructor and most recently as an adjunct faculty member teaching nursing research. Throughout my career transition, I have pursued additional degrees and certifications to elevate both the quality of care I provide and the effectiveness of my teaching. This ongoing professional development reflects my commitment to lifelong learning and excellence in nursing education. My focus for presentations and publications has varied between clinical care issues in an inpatient rehabilitation facility and nurse education best practices.

My early career focused on overseeing support services and providing comprehensive case management. Through this work, I developed a strong interest in medical care, which evolved into a desire to deliver hands-on, high-touch nursing care to individuals. While initially drawn to hospice care, my clinical experience centered on acute rehabilitation nursing. By continuously expanding my clinical knowledge and instructional skills, I strive to deliver evidence-based, compassionate care while fostering a rich, engaging learning environment for future nurses.

As soon as I heard a Nursing program was in the works, I knew it was something special. I’m excited to be part of it! I’m passionate about building a program that’s based on solid, evidence-based practices and aligns with what’s happening nationally in nursing education. Carroll County has a strong track record of turning out great nurses and nurse aides through its vo-tech and community college programs. Getting the chance to help train bachelor’s-prepared nurses in a liberal arts setting feels like a big step forward for health care in our area, and I’m proud to be part of it.

As a nurse educator, my goal is to create a learning environment that’s both challenging and supportive — where students feel pushed to do their best but also know I’m right there with them, every step of the way. In the classroom, I focus on giving students a solid base in things like communication and core care principles, so they’re ready to build real-world clinical skills. I also stress the importance of empathy, ethical thinking, and professional presence, because great nursing isn’t just about knowledge, it’s about how you show up for your patients. By making evidence-based guidelines a central part of my teaching — alongside advocacy and safety — I aim to show students how critical these standards are to providing high-quality, effective care. Integrating them into everyday instruction helps build habits and ways of thinking that become second nature, shaping how students approach decision-making and patient care throughout their careers.