Ruthanne L. Palumbo

Dr. Palumbo has extensive and varied experience in both nursing practice and nursing education. Her clinical background includes work in numerous medical-surgical settings, and she currently specializes in addictions nursing. For the past 15 years, she has consistently taught at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, delivering instruction in online, classroom, and clinical environments. Dr. Palumbo has held certification as a Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) since 2012 and as a Certified Addictions Registered Nurse (CARN) since 2020. I

Additionally, Dr. Palumbo was awarded Fellowship in the International Academy of Addictions Nursing (FIAAN) Leadership Assembly in recognition of her sustained, visionary leadership and significant contributions to addictions nursing. This honor reflects her excellence in evidence-based practice, education, research, and policy, and her commitment to advancing the mission of the International Nurses Society on Addictions (IntNSA).

Education

Cape Fear Community College: Associate Degree in Nursing, May, 2004

University of North Carolina Wilmington: Master's in Nursing Education, May 2009

Gardner-Webb University North Carolina: Doctorate in Nursing Practice, May, 2016

Specialization in Teaching

Dr. Palumbo has taught a wide range of courses across undergraduate (BSN, RN-BSN) and graduate (MSN-NE, DNP-PMHNP, and FNP) nursing programs at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW), utilizing diverse instructional platforms including online, online accelerated, classroom, and clinical settings. She has coordinated courses in the undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program and currently serves as the course coordinator for both the Master’s in Nurse Education (MSN-NE) program and the Post-Graduate Nurse Educator Certificate Program. Since joining UNCW, Dr. Palumbo has consistently taught numerous sessions of varied courses across all program levels. Prior to focusing on graduate-level online instruction, she maintained active clinical practice in medical-surgical and addictions nursing settings, a commitment she has upheld since 2011.

Research Interests

Dr. Palumbo's research and publications have primarily focused on addictions nursing and the development of resiliency. Her work is driven by a commitment to supporting individuals coping with the psychological impacts of challenging life events and substance use disorder (SUD). Most recently, her research has centered on the opioid epidemic and illicit drug overdose. She has collaborated with local stakeholders—including medication-assisted treatment clinics, harm reduction agencies, and mental health counselors—to partner with emergency departments in evaluating and improving discharge instructions provided to patients following an overdose. In addition, Dr. Palumbo is actively involved with two research teams, one focused on the impacts of Grandparents raising children after parental loss due to overdose, and a team dedicated to connecting individuals in need with local support resources. This important work is ongoing.

Professional Service

Dr. Palumbo's service at both the program and school and university levels has been centered around her expertise in nurse education, particularly in curriculum revision and development. She has been appointed to contribute to curriculum initiatives at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, with notable involvement in the development of the Nurse Educator Certificate program and participation on the Undergraduate Curriculum Taskforce. She has been appointed to the University Curriculum Committee and the Chancellors Committee for Substance Use. She has served consistently on the Admissions and Progressions Committee for the MSN-NE program, and after completing she has served as an elected Senator for the School of Nursing (SON), and elected Chair of the SON Curriculum Committee.

Beyond institutional service, Dr. Palumbo has actively pursued professional service opportunities. She serves on committees for the International Nursing Society on Addictions, is a journal editor for The Journal of Addictions Nursing, and also acts as a peer reviewer for both The Journal of Addictions Nursing and The Journal of Psychosocial Nursing.

Community Engagement

In addition to her service at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, Dr. Palumbo has dedicated several years to volunteering with the North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition (NCHRC), where she has contributed a wide range of services. She has worked closely with staff engaged in grassroots advocacy, resource development, coalition building, and the direct support of individuals affected by drug use, sex work, overdose, gender-related health issues, STIs, HIV, and hepatitis. Drawing on her expertise in addictions nursing, Dr. Palumbo has also collaborated with a local substance use treatment facility, volunteering to support the development of nursing education initiatives.

These volunteer efforts have been instrumental in fostering strong community partnerships, which have in turn supported the development and implementation of her research initiatives. Recently, Dr. Palumbo completed a 12-week Certified Alcohol and Drug Counseling (CADC) course at a local community college. She now applies this training by coordinating and hosting an online grief support group for individuals who have lost a loved one to overdose. The majority of participants are grieving parents who have assumed kinship care responsibilities, such as raising grandchildren.

Honors & Awards

2025: Fellowship in the International Academy of Addictions Nursing (FIAAN)
2024: Recognition Certificate for Intervention
2024 Nursing Excellence Award
2022 Nursing Excellence Award
2017-Present Graduating Seniors' Recognition (each semester), UNCW
2011 Nursing Excellence Award
2008 Outstanding Alumni Award, Cape Fear Community College
2009-2016 Sigma Theta Tau National Honor Society of Nursing
2009 First Place Graduate Research poster Presentation UNCW