Bio
Dr. Joanna Pierazzo is currently the Assistant Dean, Undergraduate Nursing Programs. She joined McMaster University in 1999. As an Associate Professor, she has been immersed in several leadership and educational roles in the School of Nursing. Most recently, she completed a three-year term as Chair of Curriculum for the BScN Programs. In this role, she provided educational leadership in curriculum and program evaluation across the BScN Consortium.
Dr. Pierazzo completed her BScN, MScN and Acute Care NP in the School of Nursing at Western. She also completed her BEd, followed by a PhD in the Faculty of Education at Western. Her doctoral studies specialized in Educational Psychology and Curriculum.
She brings a wealth of educational leadership expertise to our nursing program. She has provided leadership in clinical nursing education, including the scholarship of Simulation-based Learning. Her clinical expertise is in the field of Clinical Neurosciences, with previous clinical appointments as an Advanced Practice Nurse in Regional Neurosurgery Programs.
CV Available on Request.
Research
Dr. Pierazzo's research interests include principles of educational psychology within the context of nursing education, including motivational theory, learner engagement, affect (anxiety) and self-efficacy. Content areas of focus include simulation-based learning, cognitive appraisal of affect, and factors impacting student success in professional practice and theoretical courses.
Courses
UNDERGRADUATE TEACHING
Dr. Pierazzo has taught several courses in the BScN program. These have included clinical and theoretical courses in all levels and streams of the program. She has contributed to many teaching and learning enhancements in these courses.
GRADUATE TEACHING
Dr. Pierazzo has primarily taught courses in two Graduate Programs: Nursing and Health Sciences Education. Her teaching has been concentrated in the following courses: Quantitative Methodology, Scholarly Writing, Theoretical Basis of Nursing Practice, Technical and Non-technical Skills and Educational Assessment and Evaluation.