WVU School of Nursing faculty member advances student success through innovation, mentorship
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — From simulation labs to leadership practicums, Heather Dignan is helping prepare the next generation of nurses through hands-on learning, mentorship and a commitment to student success at the West Virginia University School of Nursing.
As an assistant professor at the Keyser Campus, located at WVU Potomac State College, Dignan teaches in both the traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing and LPN to BSN programs. She coordinates courses in mental health nursing and leadership while also teaching maternal/newborn clinicals, simulation labs and medical-surgical coursework. In addition to teaching, she serves as an academic counselor, working closely with students who need additional guidance or academic support.
Dignan said her passion for education began during her time as a staff nurse, where she frequently mentored students and colleagues.
“I always enjoyed teaching and working with nursing students,” Dignan said. “As I continued my education, pursuing a career in nursing education became a dream that I felt was attainable.”
Today, she finds fulfillment in watching students grow from novice learners into confident professionals.
“My favorite part of my position is being able to see the growth that each student makes,” she said. “I have the ability to work with students at every level and see them progress from the beginning to the end.”
Dignan recently achieved a significant professional milestone by earning both the Certified Nurse Educator and Certified Nurse Educator for Practical/Vocational Nurses certifications, goals she set early in her teaching career.
“My goal is always to be the best educator that I can be,” she said. “This was something I felt would help me continue to grow and improve.”
Her dedication to professional development also includes completing ACUE training and becoming certified in mental health first aid, which has strengthened her classroom strategies and expanded her ability to support students’ learning needs.
Hands-on learning plays a central role in Dignan’s teaching approach. She frequently incorporates simulation-based learning experiences such as role-play scenarios, case studies and emerging technologies to help students practice real-world communication and clinical skills.
“The simulation lab provides so much versatility,” Dignan said. “It allows students to practice skills and build confidence in a safe environment before working with real patients.”
In addition to simulation-based learning, Dignan has begun exploring the use of artificial intelligence as a teaching tool. Through structured classroom activities, students receive immediate feedback on communication techniques, helping them refine essential patient-care skills.
Beyond teaching, Dignan remains deeply involved in student support and curriculum development. As an academic counselor, she assists students in developing study plans, completing remediation and connecting with peer tutors when additional support is needed. She also contributes to curriculum planning efforts designed to align coursework with evolving national nursing standards.
“Committee work and student support keep me connected to the needs of both the school and our students,” Dignan said. “I am proud to be a part of our school.”
Dignan’s research interests reflect both her clinical background and her commitment to student well-being. She has collaborated on projects exploring stress and resilience among senior-level nursing students as they prepare for graduation and licensure exams. Her clinical experience in maternal and newborn care has also inspired research focused on maternal substance use disorder during pregnancy and postpartum periods.
More recently, she submitted a grief-related abstract reflecting her family’s experience with Huntington’s disease, highlighting the importance of understanding patients beyond clinical symptoms.
“As nurses, it is important to understand the person as a whole,” Dignan said. “Healing goes beyond treatment.”
For Dignan, the most rewarding moments often occur after students graduate and enter the workforce.
“Hearing others talk about how wonderful of a nurse they are or seeing them succeed are my proudest moments,” she said. “It’s like seeing your own children grow.”
Beyond clinical knowledge, Dignan hopes her students leave with confidence and a strong sense of purpose.
“I want students to feel that they matter and that they can make a change,” she said. “I hope they always know they have someone who cares.”
As healthcare continues to evolve, Dignan said lifelong learning remains essential to effective nursing education.
“Nursing is always changing,” she said. “If I don’t continue to learn every day, I will not be an effective educator.”
Through mentorship, innovation and dedication to student success, Dignan continues to shape the next generation of nurses, preparing students to meet the needs of patients and communities across West Virginia.
-WVU-
ms/9/4/2026
MEDIA CONTACT:
Wendy Holdren
Director of Communications and Marketing
WVU School of Nursing
304-581-1772; wendy.holdren@hsc.wvu.edu