Jenny Vacek, MSN, RN, is a principal lecturer at The University of New Mexico (UNM) College of Nursing. Her professional interests include conceptual teaching/learning, teaching the teacher training and advocating for the mentally ill population. She is the coordinator of the Psychiatric Nursing Intensive in the Pre-Licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. In addition, she teaches in the RN to BSN program and advises and teaches graduate students in the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Education concentration.
Her take-away message to students is "The sky is the limit in nursing." The highlight of her career is ongoing: running into her graduates in the community and seeing their professional nursing successes. Her publications comprise peer-reviewed journal articles, textbook chapters, and electronic learning resources, with a content focus on conceptual learning and psychiatric mental health. She has given presentations on conceptual education and other teaching/learning methods at state, regional, national, and international conferences. Notable conferences include the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Master's Nursing Education Conference and the National League for Nursing Summit. She consults nationally and internationally on the design and implementation of conceptual curricula and innovative teaching strategies.
Before her faculty position at UNM, she taught in a licensed practical nursing program. She also has practiced as a nurse in utilization review, quality management, community health, and acute care. Honors and awards include Outstanding Graduate Faculty Award at the UNM CON, the Dean's Research and Scholarship Award at the College of Nursing, the Recognition of Excellence in Nursing Education Award from Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society and the New Mexico March of Dimes Nurse of the Year Award. Vacek received her MSN at UNM and her BSN at Arizona State University.
