Sara L. Hubbell

Dr. Hubbell is passionate about leading change and driving process improvements in educational and healthcare settings that impact the health of individuals and their communities. As the DNP Program Coordinator at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, she provides visionary leadership for the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program, which offers diverse paths for nurses to advance their careers and transform themselves into change agents. With over 15 years of experience in nursing education, Dr. Hubbell works collaboratively with faculty to design and update the DNP curriculum, ensuring alignment with program goals, accreditation standards, and emerging healthcare trends. She also foster a supportive environment for student success and professional growth.

In addition to her academic role, Dr. Hubbell serves as Co-Lead of the Well-Being and Resilience Collaborative (WRC), which focuses on advancing holistic well-being and resilience within our campus community. WRC utilizes trauma-informed practices to assess, advise, train, educate, and conduct research. As a dual board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) and Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), she understands whole-person care and its impact on overall health and well-being. As the owner of Healing Tides Health and Wellness, PLLC, she provides care through a client-centered, holistic lens, utilizing a combination of evidence-based treatments, including EMDR, medication, and lifestyle modifications.

Education

Education
2019, Post-Grad Certificate, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, ECU
2016, DNP, Duke University
2004, MSN, Family Nurse Practitioner, UNC Chapel Hill
2000, BSN, Nursing, UNC Chapel Hill

Specialization in Teaching

Based on an extensive and varied teaching experience across institutions, Dr. Sara Hubbell has developed a teaching specialization that combines clinical expertise, curriculum innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration. At the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW), Dr. Hubbell has taught a wide array of advanced nursing courses, ranging from Advanced Pathophysiology to System Leadership and Quality Improvement. She has also served as a course coordinator, overseeing multiple sections and ensuring cohesive educational delivery across cohorts. Dr. Hubbell’s curriculum development contributions are notable, including the creation and revision of courses to align with the evolving needs of DNP students, such as integrating simulation technology to enhance clinical learning experiences. At the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH), Dr. Hubbell’s roles have included lecturer, clinical instructor, and course coordinator, where she engaged in interprofessional education and fostered clinical competence in areas like health assessment and adult health. Through non-credit instruction and guest lectures on topics like Spiritual Care and History and Physical Assessment, Dr. Hubbell has demonstrated a commitment to holistic, patient-centered care, preparing students to excel in complex healthcare environments.

Research Interests

Dr. Hubbell’s research interests center on advancing the mental health and resilience of healthcare professionals, particularly registered nurses, through innovative, evidence-based interventions. She is committed to exploring strategies that mitigate burnout, PTSD, depression, and moral injury among healthcare providers in high-stress environments, such as hospitals. Her current work, including the implementation of the Group Traumatic Event Protocol (G-TEP) for registered nurses, aims to foster resilience and improve mental health outcomes, ultimately enhancing patient care quality. In addition to her focus on mental health, Dr. Hubbell is passionate about mentoring the next generation of nurse practitioners and advancing the profession through collaborative scholarship that bridges clinical practice and academia for the public good.

Professional Service

Committee Member, National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties, DNP Project Committee. (April 2024 - Present)
Chairperson, NP Webinars Steering Committee, Collaboration with NCNA and SONs in NC. (July 2023 - Present)
Co-Lead, Well-Being and Resilience Collaborative, (January 2023 – present)
Guest Speaker, Wake AHEC, Mini Medical School. (February 2022 - Present)
Committee Member, Trauma Informed in Higher Education Interest Group, National. (March 2021 – Present)
Member, Cary Leadership Circle. (2012 - Present)
Committee Member, North Carolina Nurses Association, APRN Legislative Strategy Group. (2012 - Present)
Committee Member, North Carolina Nurses Association, NP Council. (2004 - Present)
Committee Member, APRN Expert Advisory Committee - Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, Chapel Hill, NC. (April 2024)
Committee Member, National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties, DNP Messaging Committee, National. (April 2023 - April 2024)
Committee Member, National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculty, Simulation Consortium Steering Committee. (2019)
Chairperson, North Carolina Nurses Association, NP Council. (2014 - 2016)
Chairperson, Healthcare Providers for Greater Access, (2014-2015)
Chairperson, Steering Committee working with Drs Chris Conover and Joanne Spetz to conduct economic impact study of full practice authority in NC (2014-2015)
Conover, C., & Richards, R. (2015). Economic benefits of less restrictive regulation of advanced practice nurses in North Carolina. Nursing outlook, 63(5), 585–592. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2015.05.009 (Acknowledged)
Guest Reviewer, The Journal for Nurse Practitioners. (2014, 2015)
Vice Chair, North Carolina Nurses Association, NP Council (2011-2014)
Member, Commission on Advanced Practice Nursing (2012-2013)
Member, Clinical Advisory Board, SHEP Center (2013)
Member at Large, North Carolina Nurses Association, NP Council (2009-2014)

Community Engagement

Community Engagement:
Sigma Theta Tau
North Carolina Nurses Association
American Nurses Association
American Academy of Nurse Practitioner
National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculty
Christ the King Lutheran Church

Honors & Awards

AANP State Advocate Award, AANP. (June 2017)
Joanne S. Stevens Political/Legislative Nurse of the Year, NCNA. (2015)
Graduate, Leadership Academy, NCNA. (2012)
Outstanding Research Poster, AANP. (2007)