Danielle DiAgostino MSN, RN, CMSRN
Nursing Education Excellence

Integration of clinical expertise, evidence-based teaching strategies, and scholarly inquiry providing foundation for educational development of nurse competency.

“The best teachers are those who show you where to look but don’t tell you what to see.”
— Alexandra K. Trenfort
Empowering nurses to practice with confidence, autonomy, ablity to critically think.
Portfolio Introduction 
This teaching portfolio documents my achievements, professional development and evolving competencies as a nurse educator during my Master of Science in Nursing Education program at William Paterson University. The artifacts will align with the Natioinal League of Nursing (NLN) Core Competencies for Academic Nurse Educators including facilitating learning, learner development, functioning as a change agent and leader, prusuing continous quality approvement, engaging in scholarship and functioning effectively within the educational enviroment.
ABOUT ME
My career as a registered nurse reflects a strong foundation in high-acuity clinical practice combined with a growing focus on nursing education. With extensive experience across medical-surgical, critical care, telemetry, and travel nursing roles, I have developed advanced clinical judgment, leadership skills, and the ability to adapt in fast-paced, complex healthcare environments. I have served as a charge nurse, preceptor, and nurse leader, ambassador and advocate, contributing to quality improvement, patient safety, and staff development initiatives, while also being recognized for excellence in care and safety practices .

Transitioning into the nurse educator role, where I aim to leverage my clinical expertise to support learner development through evidence-based, engaging teaching strategies. My career reflects a commitment to lifelong learning, professional growth, and the advancement of nursing education, positioning me as a motivated and practice-ready candidate for nurse educator roles.

Teaching Philosophy
My philosphy of nursing education is centered on leading by example, empowering autonomy and fostering  lifelong learning  through evidence-based practice and scholarship.

I believe nurse educators play a vital role in shaping nurses professional identity and clinical competence. By sharing clinical experiences and encouraging reflective practice, educators help learners develop confidence and critical thinking skills necessary for complex healthcare enviroments.

Education should promote culturally competenet, patient-centered care while encouraging nurses to remain engaged in research and continuous professional development. Through mentorship, simulation and experimental learning, educators can ignite passion for nursing and inspire learners to pursue excellence in practice and scholarship.

Educational Tools

Integration of Simulation

Integration of Simulation: This artifact demonstrates how simulation-based learning is incorporated to strengthen clinical reasoning, patient safety, and communication skills within a Master of Science in Nursing Education framework. It reflects an evidence-based approach to designing realistic scenarios that align with course outcomes and support learner progression from foundational concepts to complex decision-making.

Implementing Evidence-based Practice

Implementing Evidence-based Practice (Artifact) showcases how Danielle DiAgostino MSN, RN integrates current research, clinical expertise, and learner needs to strengthen decision-making in Master of Science in Nursing Education settings. This artifact highlights practical strategies for translating evidence into teaching and clinical learning activities that support quality outcomes.

Curriculum Development - Course Design

The development of a new nursing elective curriculum involves a systematic, evidence-based process designed to address identified gaps in nursing education, emerging healthcare needs, and learner interests. It begins with a needs assessment, which evaluates student, faculty, and clinical practice demands to justify the course focus. For example, the elective Mindfulness & Stress Reduction in Nursing Practice and Self-Care was developed in response to increasing concerns about nurse burnout and the need for resilience-building strategies in practice.

Teaching Plans

Gas and Oxygen Exchange

Gas and Oxygen Exchange

Summary The teaching plan was developed for undergraduate nursing students and focuses on cardiopulmonary physiology, oxygenation, and clinical assessment NLN Competency Alignment > Facilitate Learning > Use of Assessment and Evaluation Strategies Reflection Developing this teaching plan strengthened my ability to integrate active learning strategies that promote student engagement and critical thinking. Incorporating case studies and NGN-style questions allowed learners to apply theoretical knowledge to realistic clinical scenarios.

Gas and Oxygenation Power Point

Clinical Education

Communication and Cultural Competency Teaching Plan

Communication and Cultural Competency Teaching Plan

Summary This teaching session was designed for nurses in an acute care setting and focused on assessing communication needs, health literacy, and culturally responsive patient education strategies. NLN Competency Alignment > Facilitate Learner Development and Socialization > Function as a Change Agent and Leader Reflection Educating healthcare staff about communication barriers reinforced my understanding of the educator’s role in improving patient safety and healthcare equity. This teaching activity also demonstrated how nurse educators can influence practice improvements within clinical environments.

Assessing and Adapting Communication for Diverse Patients Power Point

Teaching Technologies

PowerPoint

PowerPoint presentations are widely used in nursing education to organize and deliver complex clinical content in a clear, structured format. By integrating visuals, diagrams, and case-based questions, PowerPoint supports diverse learning styles and reinforces key concepts that enhance understanding and retention. When combined with interactive discussion and active learning strategies, this tool helps learners apply theoretical knowledge to clinical practice.

Scenarios

Case-based scenario teaching uses realistic patient situations to help learners apply theoretical knowledge to clinical decision-making. Through guided discussion and problem-solving, students analyze patient data, prioritize nursing interventions, and develop critical thinking skills. This learner-centered approach bridges classroom knowledge with real-world clinical practice and prepares nurses for complex patient care situations.

Simulation

Simulation is an experiential learning strategy that uses realistic clinical scenarios and computerized mannequins or standardized patients to replicate real-life healthcare situations. This method allows nursing students to practice clinical skills, decision-making, and teamwork in a safe and controlled environment. Simulation enhances critical thinking, builds confidence, and prepares learners to respond effectively to complex patient care situations.

EHR

Electronic Health Records (EHRs) are increasingly used in healthcare education to prepare learners for real-world clinical documentation and patient care management. Incorporating EHR-based scenarios allows students to practice reviewing patient data, documenting assessments, and making clinical decisions in a simulated healthcare environment. This technology enhances clinical reasoning, promotes accurate documentation, and supports the development of safe, evidence-based patient care practices.

Online Learning Modules

Online learning modules provide flexible, self-paced educational opportunities that support the development of clinical knowledge and professional competencies in healthcare. These modules often include multimedia content, interactive activities, and knowledge assessments to reinforce key concepts. By allowing learners to review material independently and repeatedly, online modules enhance knowledge retention and support ongoing professional development.

Reflection

Integrating technology into nursing education enhances learner engagement and supports diverse learning styles. Simulation and multimedia teaching strategies allow learners to practice clinical decision-making in safe environments.

Professional Development

Certifications

> Basic Life Support (BLS) > Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) > Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) > NIH Stroke Scale >Telemetry >Peritoneal Dialysis

Nursing Associations Webpage Links

> American Association of Colleges in New Jersey (AACN) > American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) > American Nurse Association (ANA)

Reflection

My career as a registered nurse reflects a strong foundation in high-acuity clinical practice combined with a growing focus on nursing education. With extensive experience across medical-surgical, critical care, telemetry, and travel nursing roles, I have developed advanced clinical judgment, leadership skills, and the ability to adapt in fast-paced, complex healthcare environments. I have served as a charge nurse, preceptor, and active committee member, contributing to quality improvement, patient safety, and staff development initiatives, while also being recognized for excellence in care and safety practices. I aim to leverage my clinical expertise to support learner development through evidence-based, engaging teaching strategies. My career reflects a commitment to lifelong learning, professional growth, and the advancement of nursing education, positioning me as a motivated and practice-ready candidate for nurse educator roles.

Evaluations

Curriculum Development

Dr. Giuseppina Pagnotta - Nursing Professor\Preceptor

"Danielle was dressed professionally. Danielle succeeded in teaching an excellent lesson on Gas Exchange and Oxygenation. This topic is foundational for the students, and Danielle presented the material in an engaging and well-thought-out format."

     
Ocean University Medical Center - Practicum

Lisa Micciola CCRN, MSN, RN Professional Development Educator

"Danielle has taken an active role in projects and initiatives consistent with the Clinical Nurse Educator Role at Ocean University Medical Center which include attending meetings , input for RN and PCT Competency learning stations, mentoring novice nurses and preceptors and assisting with mock Codes on varied units as part of the Resuscitation Committee. Danielle and I are working on promoting ethical, evidence-based care. Key goals include developing clinical skills, enhancing communication, fostering leadership, facilitating professional socialization, and implementing evaluation."

     
hospital preceptorship

Ajanay, RN - Capella University BSN Student

"Danielle played a major role in expanding my knowledge and helping me look at patient care through a more experienced lens. With over 10 years of nursing experience, she consistently shared practical tips, clinical insights, and real-life examples that helped bridge the gap between textbook knowledge and real-world practice. Her willingness to explain not just what to do, but why we do it, helped me develop stronger clinical judgment and a deeper understanding of the decisions nurses make every day. Throughout my time working with her, she created an environment where I felt supported, encouraged to ask questions, and challenged to think critically. She took the time to walk me through different situations, share the small “tricks of the trade” that only come with experience, and demonstrate what it truly means to provide safe, compassionate, and patient-centered care. Her mentorship not only strengthened my clinical skills but also reminded me of the importance of teamwork, leadership, and continuous learning in nursing."

     
Ocean University Medical Center - Practicum - Copy

Lisa Micciola CCRN, MSN, RN Professional Development Educator

"Danielle was a refreshing addition to the Professional Development Department over the past few months. She was engaged in all of the projects completed including Telemetry courses, nursing competencies and projects I was involved with. I am confident that she will use all of her course training and hands on experiences to further her professional growth."

     
 
 

Resume

DANIELLE DIAGOSTINO, MSN, RN, MEDSURG-BC 

CREDENTIALS 

  • Registered Nurse – New Jersey / Multi-State | Licensed
  • Registered Nurse – New York | Licensed

CERTIFICATIONS 

  • Medical-Surgical Board Certified (MEDSURG-BC)
  • Basic Life Support (BLS)
  • Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
  • Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
  • NIH Stroke Scale Certified
  • Telemetry Certified
  • Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) Certified

EDUCATION

 William Paterson University – Wayne, NJ 

Master of Science in Nursing Education | April 2026 

College of Staten Island – School of Nursing – Staten Island, NY

Bachelor of Science in Nursing | June 2015

Associate in Applied Science in Nursing | January 2014 

HONORS & AWARDS  

  • Good Catch for Patient Safety 2025
  • Daisy Award Nominee, 2024
  • Kellogg Award of Nursing Excellence Nominee, 2023
  • 1199 Novice Nurse of Distinction, 2014

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Ocean University Medical Center – Brick, NJ 

Registered Nurse – Medical-Surgical Geriatric Unit | May 2022 – Present 

  • Deliver comprehensive, evidence-based care to complex geriatric and adult medical-surgical patients.
  • Perform ongoing assessment, evaluation, and coordination of multidisciplinary care plans.
  • Promote quality and safety through adherence to hospital policies, protocols, and best practices.

Aya Healthcare – Robert Wood Johnson University Medical Center

Telemetry Float Pool Travel RN | Apr 2022 – Oct 2023 

  • Adapted rapidly to high-acuity units including Surgical Oncology, Oncology, Telemetry, Stroke, Cardiac, and Med-Surg.
  • Transitioned to Charge Nurse on Surgical Oncology, coordinating patient flow, assignments, and team communication when staff nurses went on strike.
  • Provided specialized monitoring and management of cardiac and neurologic patients across diverse units.

White Glove Agency – Ocean Medical Center

Telemetry Travel RN | Jan 2022 – May 2022 

  • Delivered patient-centered care to acute and chronic medical-surgical populations.
  • Floated to telemetry, observation, and med-surg units based on staffing needs.
  • Ensured safe, evidence-based practice in alignment with organizational standards.

NY Community Hospital – Brooklyn, NY

Critical Care Registered Nurse | May 2021 – Nov 2022 

  • Collaborated closely with intensivists to manage critically ill patients requiring advanced hemodynamic support.
  • Recognized and intervened in life-threatening arrhythmias, titrated vasoactive drips per protocol.
  • Managed CVP lines, arterial lines, lab interpretation, and nurse-led titration of critical medications.
  • Served as Charge Nurse, overseeing assignments, narcotic reconciliation, and team coordination.

 Medical-Surgical/Telemetry Registered Nurse | Aug 2014 – May 2021 

  • Provided comprehensive care including telemetry monitoring, medication administration, wound care, IV therapy, and patient education.
  • Served as Charge Nurse, overseeing assignments, narcotic reconciliation, and team coordination.
  • Serve as a preceptor, mentoring new nurses and fostering a collaborative team environment.
  • Key member of the first COVID-19 response team, supporting rapid conversion of unit to a primary COVID-19 unit.

COMMITTEES & LEADERSHIP  

  • 1199 Union RN Delegate
  • 1199 Nurse Ambassador
  • 1199 Hearing & Arbitration Committee
  • NYCH Professional Practice Committee
  • NYCH Labor Management Committee
  • NYCH Safe Staffing Guidelines Committee
  • Member Wage Disparity Committee
  • Quality Improvement & Policy Committee

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS  

  • American Nurses Association (ANA) – Member ID 06682390
  • American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) – Graduate Nursing Student Academy (GNSA) – Member ID 248549
  • American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) – Member ID 12974022

REFERENCES  

  • Available upon Request


Contact


 ddiagostinorn@gmail.com

  • Brick Township, NJ, USA