Bio: Janet Skees
Janet Skees is an Advanced Educator at the UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing since 2014 and started teaching at the school in 2011. Prior to this, she taught at Sewickley Hospital School of Nursing. Her nursing experience at the bedside, prior to teaching, has primarily been in critical care. Janet has held various roles including staff nurse, case manager, supervisor and clinical coordinator. In the role of Advanced Educator, she functions as Course Chair, Faculty Senate President-Elect, and faculty mentor. She has precepted a number or graduate students from multiple universities. In addition, Janet is currently a member of the Academic Support Team. She provides 1:1 academic support for students who fail an exam or are at risk of failing a course. Janet has taught clinical and didactic every level in the program and is currently teaching Professional Concepts in Nursing in the first semester. She also teaches End of Life care and Grief and Loss in the 3rd semester.
Janet’s educational background includes a diploma from Jameson Hospital School of Nursing, A BSN and MSN from La Roche University and a Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree from Waynesburg University. Her Capstone project involved creating a simulation lab using a moderate fidelity simulator for the school in which she previously taught. She has held the role of nurse educator since 2002 and has taught as a faculty member at the prelicensure level and as adjunct professor at the graduate level.
Janet has held the CNE certification since 2008. She is on the Board of Directors for the Pennsylvania League of Nursing, Area VI. Janet has published several articles in peer reviewed journals, including topics on mentoring and has presented at local conferences. The most recent conference presentation was entitled “Conquering the Test Anxiety Giant: Assisting Students to Overcome the Challenges of a Generational Phenomenon.” Janet works with students who have test anxiety by offering a guided meditation before each exam.
Janet currently serves as a member of the All Schools Curriculum Subcommittee. She has chaired and or facilitated a number of committees during her employment at Shadyside. Among them are 1) the Faculty Senate Subcommittee for Student Services, 2) Honor Society Committee, and 3) Attendance Ad hoc committee.
Janet was nominated twice for the DAISY Faculty Award. In 2018 she received the Cameo of Caring Award for Nurse Educators.