Preparing nursing students for practice: Using evidence-based keys to ensure their health, happiness, and well-being

Dr. Bernadette Melnyk is an inspirational speaker, leader, innovator, author, entrepreneur and globally recognized expert in evidence-based practice, mental health, nurse/clinician/leader burnout, population health and well-being, intervention research, and organizational culture change. She is also CEO and founder of COPE2Thrive, LLC., and president and co-founder of EBP Solutions, LLC. For over a decade, she served as Vice President for Health Promotion and Chief Wellness Officer at The Ohio State University as well as Dean of the College of Nursing.  Dr. Melnyk is an editor of 10 influential books, has more than 600 publications, and over $36 million dollars of sponsored funding from NIH, AHRQ, and foundations as a principal investigator. Her pioneering, impactful work has earned her election to the National Academy of Medicine, the American Academy of Nursing (which recognized her three times as an Edge Runner), the National Academies of Practice, and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.

Alice M. Teall serves as Senior Director of Wellness at Kenyon College, where she leads Health Services, Counseling Services, and Health Promotion within the Cox Health and Counseling Center. In this role, she advances evidence-based strategies to promote student well-being, empower resilience, and cultivate a thriving campus community. A nurse practitioner, author, and educator with over 40 years of experience, Dr. Teall has been recognized nationally for her leadership in college health, clinician well-being, and innovative approaches to wellness; she previously directed Graduate Wellness Academic Programming and the online Family Nurse Practitioner Program at The Ohio State University.

Dr. Kate Gawlik is a Clinical Professor of Nursing, Director of Health and Wellness Academic Programming, Director of the Bachelor of Science in Health and Wellness, and Project Manager for the Million Hearts® initiative at The Ohio State University. She is board certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Her clinical interests and expertise include population health, cardiovascular prevention, parental burnout, health sciences education, and clinician and student wellness. She is a Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, the National Academies of Practice, and the American Academy of Nursing.

Judith W. Herrman is a nurse, educator, and researcher with a passion for nursing education and helping adolescents and young adults stay healthy and learning.