Rebecca W. Jones, Ph.D., MSN, ANP-C, CNL, PMHNP-BC
Office Location
Dr. Rebecca Jones has been a nurse for over 29 years. She graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) with a BSN degree in 1997. She is a certified adult nurse practitioner, who completed a MSN in Adult Health Primary Care in 2003 from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). She also earned a PhD degree in Occupational Health Nursing from UAB in 2009, focusing on job stress. She became a Certified Nurse Leader (CNL) in 2019. Dr. Jones became certified as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) in 2023 and works part-time with persons who have treatment resistant depression.
Dr. Jones taught in various on ground and online undergraduate, RN to BSN, and graduate nursing programs, such as at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte and the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. At Sacred Heart University, she is a full-time Clinical Assistant Professor in the Online MSN program, where she teaches core and clinical courses including: Healthcare Research, Evidence-Based Practice, and Application of Advanced Health Assessment Methods. She also advises CNL graduate students in their plans of studies and clinically supervises PMNHP students.
For several years prior to returning to academia in 2015, Dr. Jones practiced as a nurse practitioner in peri-anesthesia clinics in the Huntsman Cancer Hospital at the University of Utah and at the VCU Medical Center. Her nursing background ranged from medical-surgical, to occupational health, cancer, and now mental health. Her areas of scholarly interests include healthcare worker burnout, trauma-informed self-care and the health needs of rural Appalachians.
Degrees & Certifications
- Post-Master Certificate, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, University of Alabama
- Ph.D. in Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Master of Science in Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Bachelor of Science, Nursing, Virginia Commonwealth University
- Adult Nurse Practitioner- Certified, American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
- Clinical Nurse Leader- Certified, America Association of Colleges of Nursing
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner- Board Certified, American Nurses Credentialing Center
Teaching Responsibilities
- NU 601 Principles of Healthcare Research
- NU 554 Application of Comprehensive Health Assessment Methods
- NU 611 Care Management and Resources Across the Continuum
- NU 612 Disease Management and Outcomes Assessment
- NU 680 Clinical Nurse Leader Role Immersion
- NU 681 Clinical Nurse Leader Capstone
Research & Grants
Research Interests
- Health Needs of Rural Appalachia
- Trauma-Informed Care
- Self-Care Behavior of Nurses
Grants
- Kaylor, M.B., Jones, R. W., & Testut, T. (2025-26). Health needs and holistic practices in Appalachia. Sacred Heart University, Dean’s Course Release and Travel Stipend, $6,300.
- Etcher, L., Goddard, A. H., & Jones, R. W. (2021-22). Addressing the gaps in nursing curriculum around trauma-informed care. Sacred Heart University, Academics for Creative Teaching, $1,500 grant.
- Grizzle, R. & Young, B. (2015). Best practices in periprocedural anticoagulation management. Utah Nurse Practitioners 22nd Annual Pharmacology Conference, Bristol-Myers Squibb/Pfizer, $9,860 continuing education grant.
- McAlister, K. & Grizzle, R. (2010). Emergency preparedness among vulnerable populations in San Antonio, Texas. City of San Antonio Metropolitan Health District, $32,408 community outreach grant.
Awards & Fellowships
- Rising Star PMHNP Student Award, University of Alabama, College of Nursing (2023)
- Honorable Mention, Virtual Poster Presentation, AACN Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) Summit (2022)
- Best Clinical Vignette Poster Presentation, 10th Annual Perioperative Medicine Summit (2015)
- National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Graduate Fellowship, Deep South Center for Occupational Health and Safety Education and Research, University of Alabama at Birmingham/Auburn University (2001-2009)
- Student of the Year Award, Virginia Nurses Association, District 5 (1997)