Jennifer Buffenbarger

Jennifer Buffenbarger, Ed.D., originally from Wales, United Kingdom, brings a deep passion for nursing—one that has guided her for over 30 years. Early in her journey, she told her instructors, “I eventually want to give back what was once given to me.”

After earning her Master of Science in Nursing (Nursing Education) and a Doctorate in Education (Higher Education and Adult Learning), Buffenbarger transitioned into academia, where she now teaches across both undergraduate and graduate programs. Her courses include Health Assessment, Nursing Fundamentals, Mental Health Nursing, Population-Focused Care, and Chronic Illness. She also leads the final Master’s Project course and teaches interdisciplinary subjects such as holistic health, health promotion and program development, and first-year seminars. 

In recent years, Buffenbarger has increasingly focused on mental health nursing. She developed a 10-week evolving case study that simulates the lived experiences of individuals with mental illness. This innovative approach promotes empathy and enhances students’ therapeutic communication skills.

Fulfilling her long-standing promise to give back, Buffenbarger now offers her students the same compassion she once extended to her patients. For her, the role of educator is just as rewarding as being a nurse—both grounded in the intentional act of caring. 

Professional Experience

Wilson College, Assistant Professor, 8/22/2016 to Present
Wilson College – Chambersburg, PA.
Created and developed syllabi for three nursing courses: NUR 101: Health Assessment; NUR 102: Foundational Concepts of Nursing Practice, and NUR 212 Mental Health Nursing. Each of these courses have clinical and/or simulation that have required organization and sustainability. This includes my involvement as a clinical instructor and overseeing clinical/simulation adjuncts. I have taught two online courses: NUR 223 Health Promotion for Health Professionals and NUR 222 Intersection of Healthcare and Society. I am a faculty advisor to nursing students and to the Wilson College Student Nurses Association. 

Post Anesthesia Care Unit RN, 7/4/2016 to 2/20/18
Carlisle Regional Medical Center – Carlisle, PA

Responsible to the Unit Manager, provide continuous monitoring of patients immediate post-surgical, maintaining open and functioning airway with occasional use of AMBU bags and ventilators; provide prompt and active intervention for abnormal vital signs/heart rhythms in collaboration with anesthesiologist; evaluate surgical sites for postoperative complications, and maintain acceptable pain level as perceived by patients. Perform continual evaluation of the patient’s condition, providing patient safety, comfort, and privacy at all times. Utilize holistic nursing interventions for positive patients’ outcomes - subscribing to Comfort Theory. Provide report to receiving RNs’ on Medical-Surgical, ICU, and OB/GYN units.

Post Anesthesia Care Nurse, 06/2011 to 7/1/2016

Carlisle Regional Medical Center/Carlisle Outpatient Surgery Center – Carlisle, PA 

Manage care for post-operative patients through discharge. Under the direction of the manager of the surgery center, monitor patients awakening from anesthesia, assessing airway, breathing and circulation difficulties. Implement interventions for post-operative nausea and vomiting, pain, and circulation. Evaluate surgical sites for complications and perform continual evaluation of the patient’s condition, providing patient safety, comfort, and privacy at all times. Communicate with healthcare team members with changes in patient's condition. Prepare patients and families with appropriate education for discharge. Documents patient information obtained from telephone interviews prior to surgical procedures. Provides follow up phone calls to patients post op day one to assess for complications/answer questions/review discharge instructions.
Support hospital on an as needed basis as nursing supervisor. Implement staffing plan for nursing units, adjusting according relating to patient acuity and census. Assist staff with needed resources and support to include resolution of clinical challenges. Respond and assist as needed in emergencies. 

Director Medical-Surgical and Acute Rehabilitation Unit, 05/2010 to 06/2011
Carlisle Regional Medical Center – Carlisle, PA

Reported to the Chief Nursing Officer. Accountable and responsible for four nursing units totaling 135 beds and 120 nursing staff. Daily operations providing supportive care/resource for patients and nursing staff, scheduling nursing staff and unit secretaries, payroll, prepare daily reports of patient census and outliers, interviewing potential candidates for open positions and provide staff disciplinary actions when needed. Annual and quarterly evaluations performed and followed up as required. Compiled and input data relating to federal and state regulations. Initiated and maintained "Getting to Great' knowledge boards and elicit feedback/input from nursing staff for "Stop Light Report." 
Member of Patient Safety Committee, New Products Committee, and Chair of Getting to Great Patient Committee.

Staff Development Educator, 09/2009 to 05/2010

Carlisle Regional Medical Center – Carlisle, PA

Under the supervision of the Director of Education, created and developed educational programs supporting adult learning theories, train new hires of computers and online modules/competencies to meet annual requirements. Assisted with continuing improvement of nursing orientation, skills fairs, and patient safety. Provided reports of annual employee participation and completion of modules to meet regulatory and state requirements. Maintained newsletters with support from various nursing departments and administration.

Interim Director Medical-Surgical and Acute Rehabilitation Unit, 06/2009 to 09/2009
Carlisle Regional Medical Center – Carlisle, PA

Reporting to the Chief Nursing Officer, accountable and responsible for four nursing units with a total of 135 beds and 120 nursing staff with daily operations providing supportive care/resources for patients and nursing staff, scheduling nursing staff and unit secretaries, preparing daily reports of patient census and outliers, interviewing potential candidates for open positions and provide disciplinary actions as deemed necessary. Compiled and input data relating to federal and state regulations.

Bed Board Coordinator/Shared Governance Coordinator, 09/2008 to 06/2009
Carlisle Regional Medical Center – Carlisle, PA
Answering to the Chief Nursing Officer, responsible for placement of patients entering the hospital for care with consideration of health, culture, diversity, and per hospital policy. Providing support to all councils with researching for appropriate material to facilitate the development and completion of projects. Created and maintained two nursing newsletter providing an avenue for communication and generate interest for participation in various events 
and projects.

Post Anesthesia Care Unit RN, 09/2003 to 09/2008
Carlisle Regional Medical Center – Carlisle, PA

Responsible to the Unit Manager, provided continuous monitoring of patients immediate post-surgical, maintaining open and functioning airway with occasional use of AMBU bags and ventilators; provided prompt and active intervention for abnormal vital signs/heart rhythms in collaboration with anesthesiologist; evaluated surgical sites for postoperative complications, and maintained acceptable pain level as perceived by patients. Utilized holistic nursing interventions for positive patients’ outcomes - subscribing to Comfort Theory. Provided report to receiving RN on Medical-Surgical, ICU, and OB/GYN units.

Intermediate Intensive Care Unit RN, 05/2000 to 08/2003
Providence Hospital - Columbia, SC
Answered to the ICU manager, provided frequent monitoring of surgical and medical patients with continuous evaluation of interventions and plan of care. Offered support to a varied population of patients: Post-surgical radical neck r/t cancer; drug and alcohol withdrawal crisis; ventilator dependent patients, high acuity wound care, and supported actively dying patients with compassion for all involved. Provided mentorship and precepted new graduate nurses and oriented new nurses to the unit.

Medical-Surgical Charge Nurse, 08/1999 to 05/2000
Providence Hospital – Columbia, SC

Responsible to the Medical-Surgical Manager, supervised and precepted nurses and CNAs. Monitored post-surgical and medical patients with various degrees of diseases and healing including, CVA, HIV, TB infected, orthopedic surgical and general surgical.

Medical-Surgical Staff Nurse, 03/1998 to 07/1999
Sierra Vista Community Hospital – Sierra Vista, AZ

Answered to the Medical-Surgical Manager, provided care to post-surgical and medical patients of various ages including those requiring radiation treatments. Obtained in-house certification for radiation nurse and instructor for educating patients on self-breast exams. 

LPN Charge Nurse, 02/1997 to 03/1998
LifeCare Nursing Home – Sierra Vista, AZ

Under the direction of the Unit Manager, maintained a safe environment for Alzheimer and severe dementia patients in a locked down unit. Provided activities and appropriate interventions during stressful situations as experienced by patients. Obtained in-house certification for Alzheimer's nurse.

LPN, 07/1996 to 10/1996
Hillhaven Nursing Home – Sierra Vista, AZ
Responsible to the Unit Manager, provided nursing support to thirty-three residents; utilized critical thinking for positive patient outcomes, encouraged and supported residents in social events, encouraged and proved peer support as needed.

LPN, 07/1994 to 07/1996
U.S. Army Health Center – Grafenwoehr, Germany.

Answered to the Chief Nursing Officer, interviewed and counseled patients with sexually transmitted diseases with follow-up, reported cases to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and to the local authorities. The first LPN to successfully obtain certification by the US Army (in Germany) to provide allergy immunizations to patients. Supported the immunization of soldiers prior to deployment, assisted in well-baby, well-woman, minor surgical and 
sick call clinics for family members and soldiers. Provided support in the emergency room during training accidents.

LPN Volunteer, 08/1993 to 07/1994

American Red Cross – Grafenwoehr, Germany.

Provided support and relief for clinic staff with approximately 600 hours of volunteer time over a six-month period.

LPN, 06/1992 to 06/1993
Carthage Area Hospital – Carthage, NY
Under the direction of the unit manager, provided nursing care to 8-12 patients on a medical-surgical unit. Supported nursing staff as needed with on-call status.

CREDENTIALS

Board Examination - LPN
Board Examination - RN
RN:     Pennsylvania – Active RN License        
RN:     South Carolina – Inactive RN License
RN:     Arizona - Inactive RN License    
LPN: Arizona - Inactive LPN License    
LPN: New York – Inactive LPN License

PROFESSIONAL DEGRESS

Doctorate Education (EdD): 2016
Walden University - Minneapolis, MN
Master of Science Nursing: Nursing Education, 2009
Walden University - Minneapolis, MN
Associate of Applied Science: Nursing, 1999
Cochise College – Sierra Vista, AZ
Practical Nurse Program: Practical Nurse, 1992
BOCES Technical College - Watertown, NY
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Pennsylvania State Nurse Association Board Member: District 15 (2008 - 2015). 
Golden Key International Honor Society (2013).
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (1997).
National Vocational Technical Honor Society (1992).
Provided Hurricane Katrina disaster relief to sister hospital in Biloxi, MS (2005)
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP AND AFFILIATIONS
American Association of University Women
American Holistic Nursing Association (AHNA)
Franklin County Suicide Coalition
Omega Eta Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing at Wilson College
Pennsylvania State Nursing Association (PSNA) and American Nurses Association (ANA) 
Wilson College Student Nursing Association
Wilson College Student Research Day committee – 2018/2019; Chair 2019/2020

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND CONTINUING EDUCATION

2019 Integrative Healing Arts Program (IHAP)
2019 INR: Mindfulness and Stress Reduction seminar
2019 QPR Train the Trainer
2019 Franklin County Women’s Conference, Wilson College
2019 National Nurse Educator Conference
2018 ATI Preparing for Certified Nurse Educator
2018 Nursing Education Research Conference
2017 Presenter Sigma Theta Tau International
2017 Webinar - Navigate and Negotiate Conflict (American Nurses Association). 
2017 1st Annual Interprofessional Education and Research (IPER) TeamSTEPPS 2.0 training seminar, Wilson College. 
2016-2018: 30 CEUs for re-licensure RN