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Dr. Eastridge was initially hired by NSC in 2014 as a nursing faculty member, served as interim dean beginning in April 2019, and Dean in April 2020. She is inspired to have the opportunity to work with highly motivated and highly regarded nursing faculty to prepare the next generation of diverse nurses to be caring and compassionate caregivers
With a background similar to many of the students at Nevada State College, Dr. Eastridge is a first-generation college graduate originally from a small farming and ranching community in Eastern Oregon. She obtained an associate of science degree from Blue Mountain Community College in Oregon, a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Nursing from the University of New Mexico, and a doctorate in higher education leadership from Concordia University. Dr. Eastridge holds a Nurse Educator Certification through the National League for Nursing.
After a 15-year career focused on critical care and trauma nursing, Dr. Eastridge began teaching at the University of New Mexico, where she was for nine years, earning tenure and the rank of associate professor before coming to Nevada State College.
Dr. Eastridge was drawn to Nevada State because of its focus on undergraduate teaching and helping under-served students reach for and attain their aspirations. Not only is helping diverse populations a professional commitment of Dr. Eastridge, but it is also a significant part of her personal life. Having spent 24 years living on and around the Navajo Nation, she has a great love and appreciation for diverse people.
Dr. Eastridge brings to Nevada State College considerable knowledge and experience in curriculum development. As a member of the New Mexico Nursing Education Consortium, she contributed to the development of a statewide nursing curriculum. Dr. Eastridge has also played an active role in Nevada State College’s recent School of Nursing curriculum revisions that included the integration of caring science into the curriculum.
Dr. Eastridge’s academic research has focused on testing in Schools of Nursing and the use of creative testing models to increase the success of diverse nursing students. Her work has been published in the Nurse Educator, Nurse Education Today, and Teaching of Psychology.
