Kerstin Gerda Hudgins

Dr. Kerstin Hudgins is a critical care nurse and pedagogist with over 44 years of experience and a Fellow of the American College of Critical Care Medicine. After 21 years in the acute care setting as an intensive care unit clinical educator, preceptor, and staff nurse, she joined UNCW's School of Nursing faculty in the Fall of 2023 as an Assistant Clinical Professor. Dr. Hudgins previously taught at Fayetteville State University from 2018-2022, also serving as the nursing skills and simulation lab manager. Her professional background is well-rounded. As a native German and the spouse of a military veteran, she acquired knowledge, skill, and continual education from a worldwide consortium. She is an active member of internal, state, and national committees and interprofessional societies. Dr. Hudgins also remains active at the bedside to convey best practices in healthcare to our students.

Education

Doctor of Education (EdD), Concentration: Leadership in Curriculum and Instruction, University of North Carolina Wilmington
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Concentration: Nurse Educator, University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Minor: Personnel and Organizational Leadership, University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Associate of Science in Nursing, Regents of the University of the State of New York
Diploma in Practical Nursing, TriSmith College of Fayetteville North Carolina
Diploma in Practical Nursing, Technical Community College (BS Gross-Gerau) Germany

Specialization in Teaching

As a nurse professional and educator, Dr. Hudgins focuses on preparing and inspiring our society of nurses and nursing students to achieve professional excellence by improving patient outcomes through education, advocacy, and community support. Her personal teaching style and focus encompass the application of cultural, experiential, situational, and problem-based learning and quality improvement. Dr. Hudgins' pedagogic focus resides in the pre-licensure program.

Research Interests

Dr. Hudgins is well-published and presents at state and national conferences. Her research interests center around quality, safety, and process improvement in the clinical and academic setting. She serves as an abstract & case report reviewer and moderator for the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM), and has been an editorial board member for the Critical Care Nursing Quarterly (CCNQ) nursing journal of Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Publishing since 2017. In 2025, Dr. Hudgins was appointed as Editor-in-Chief.

Professional Service

Dr. Hudgins serves as the Program Evaluation and Assessment Coordinator for the School of Nursing and is actively engaged in various internal committees at the School of Nursing and University level. She is also professionally vested in regional, state, and national endeavors.

Community Engagement

Dr. Hudgins dedicates her community service to the expansion of nurses in North Carolina. As a Great 100 Nurses of NC award of excellence and scholarship recipient, she gives back by serving as the scholarship committee chair for the Great 100 Nurses NC and scholarship reviewer for the North Carolina Nurses Association (NCNA). Dr. Hudgins is also an active member in her local community and church at First Baptist of Oak Island, NC.

Honors & Awards

2024 Dedicated Service Award, University of North Carolina Wilmington, School of Nursing
2022 Fellowship in the American College of Critical Care Medicine (FCCM)
2020 North Carolina Foundation for Nursing, Mary Lewis Wyche Scholarship Recipient
2020 Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing
2017 Alpha Sigma Lambda National Honor Society
2016 Great 100 Nurses of North Carolina Scholarship Recipient
2015 Great 100 Nurses of North Carolina Excellence in Practice Recipient
2012 Distinguished Preceptor Award Critical Care Residency Program, Cape Fear Valley
2009 Preceptor Award Critical Care Residency Program, Cape Fear Valley Medical Center
2008 Preceptor Award, Central Carolina Community College
2002 Achievement Award for Outstanding ICU Support, Womack Army Medical Center