Sharon M Norris

Dr. Sharon Norris began her nursing career in 2011 after earning her ADN from Cape Fear Community College. She later earned her BSN, MSN-Ed, and DNP from Grand Canyon University and her Post-Master’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) from Herzing University. She has worked clinically in Adult Inpatient Surgery, Women’s & Children’s, Lactation, and is currently in the process of opening a private practice as a PMHNP-BC, aiming to serve the perinatal population. She has been a nurse educator since 2018, and joined the faculty at UNCW in 2023.

Dr. Norris’s scholarly agenda focuses on various areas of mental health, with a particular focus on maternal mental health and improving maternal outcomes. As an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), she often incorporates lactation into her research. She also participates in research related to nursing education, with a focus on mental health for both students and nurse educators. Most recently, she is involved in interdisciplinary research aiming to improve access to care for vulnerable populations, including those with mental health issues. She is also working on a research project aimed to support mental health for nursing students, and another project focusing on the impact of prenatal lactation education.

Education

2023, Post-Master’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Herzing University
2020, DNP, Nursing, Grand Canyon University
2016. MSN, Nursing Education, Grand Canyon University
2013, BSN, Nursing, Grand Canyon University
2011, ADN, Nursing, Cape Fear Community College

Specialization in Teaching

Sharon Norris has taught across various programs over the years. She currently teaches and coordinates the Health Assessment for Registered Nurses course in the RN-BSN program, and teaches in the MSN-NE programs practicum courses. She has been a Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) since 2023.

Research Interests

Maternal Mental Health
Maternal Health & Outcomes
Lactation
Mental Health in Nursing Education

Community Engagement

North Carolina Associate Degree Nursing Council- President-Elect 2021-23, President 2023-24
American Association of Nurse Practitioners
Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses
North Carolina Breastfeeding Coalition

Honors & Awards

Cape Fear Community College A.D.N. Alumni of the Year 2018
Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society 2019
Marilyn Goodman Anderson Excellence in Teaching Nominee 2022, 2023
UNCW Quality Matters Faculty Fellowship 2025-2026