Faculty

Valerie O'DellProfessor of Nursing

“Be intent on setting aside time each week to work on your class assignments in order to stay on track with your schoolwork.”

Degrees Held:

• DNP – Case Western Reserve University, 2009
• MSN – Kent State University, 1993
• BSN – Youngstown State University, 1985

Career Highlights:

• Clinical Nurse positions at St. Joseph Health Center, Warren, Ohio
• 10 years teaching at St. Elizabeth Hospital School of Nursing in the diploma program
• 25 years teaching at Youngstown State University in all levels of nursing in the undergraduate and graduate programs
• Leadership position as the MSN program director for the past seven years
• Active member of the YSU / Community Nurse Advisory Council, Sigma Theta Tau, Xi Xi Chapter, International Honor Society of Nursing, and Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses

Awards

• BCHHS Research Award, Office of Research, Youngstown State University, November 2019
• Award for Excellence in Leadership, Sigma Theta Tau, Xi Xi Chapter, International Honor Society of Nursing, April 2017
  
• Nurses’ Health Study II, 30-Year Anniversary, 30 years participation, Harvard School of Public Health, 2019
  

Publications

• O’Dell, V.M. (2016). Newborn of a mother with gestational diabetes. In Concept mapping: A critical-thinking approach to care planning, 4th ed. (McHugh Schuster, P.) Philadelphia: F.A. Davis.
  
• O’Dell, V.M. (2016). Newborn with jaundice. In Concept mapping: A critical-thinking approach to care planning, 4th ed. (McHugh Schuster, P.) Philadelphia: F.A. Davis.
  
• O’Dell, V.M. (2016). Vaginal delivery and laceration repair. In Concept mapping: A critical-thinking approach to care planning, 4th ed. (McHugh Schuster, P.) Philadelphia: F.A. Davis.
  
• O’Dell, V.M. (2016). Vaginal delivery for gravida 9. In Concept mapping: A critical-thinking approach to care planning, 4th ed. (McHugh Schuster, P.) Philadelphia: F.A. Davis.
  
• Aurilio, L.A., & O'Dell, V.M. (2012). OB Assessment and Concept Map Care Plan for the Full-Term Infant. In Instructor's Guide for Concept Mapping, 3rd ed. (McHugh Schuster, P.) Philadelphia: F.A. Davis.
  
• Rendano, S., & O'Dell, V.M. (2012). Assessment of the newborn and mother. In Instructor's Guide for Concept Mapping, 3rd ed. (McHugh Schuster, P.) Philadelphia: F.A. Davis.
  
• Aurilio, L.A., & O'Dell, V.M. (2010). Incorporating community based clinical experiences into a maternal-woman's health nursing course. Journal of Nursing Education, 49(1), 56-59.
  
• Lisko, S.A., & O'Dell, V.M. (2010). Integration of theory and practice: Experiential learning theory and nursing education. Nursing Education Perspectives, 31(2), 34-36.
  
• O’Dell, V.M. (2008). Maternal Newborn. In P.M. Hoyson & K.A. Serroka (Eds.), NCLEX-RN review: 1000 questions to help you pass (pp. 315 – 320, 339 – 345) Sudbury, Massachusetts: Jones and Bartlett.
  

Grants Received

• Project Director for the Nurse Anesthetist Traineeship Program Grant:
  Provided by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). This program is authorized by Title VIII of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act, Section 811(a)(2), (42 U.S.C. 296j(a)(2)), as amended by Section 5308 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Public Law 111-148.
  2020-21: $20,169.00
  2019-20: $19,609.00
  2018-19: $51,543.00
  2017-18: $23,901.00
  2016-17: $19,146.00
  2015-16: $16,684.00
  2014-15: $17,207.00

In which online degree program do you teach?

• RN to BSN

• What do you want students to take away from your classes?

  • The importance of being actively involved in the nursing profession.
  • Becoming more aware of the many nursing and healthcare issues that affect nurses both personally and professionally.
  • The value of being able to analyze health-related evidence and strategies for translating evidence into their nursing practice.

• Why did you start teaching?

  A nurse friend of mine told me about a teaching position at the school of nursing in the hospital where she worked. She thought I would be perfect for the job. After I was hired, I realized how much I enjoyed sharing my nursing knowledge and guiding students in both the classroom and clinical settings.

• Why are you interested in nursing? What drew you to this field?

  Ever since I can remember, I wanted to be a nurse. I have always been interested in science and was fascinated by how the body functions. I have found that a compassionate, calm manner helps put patients at ease during a difficult time.

• What do you think is the biggest challenge that nurses face today?

  • Nurses need much more respect and appreciation for their knowledge and skills as compared to what the media portrays.
  • Recruiting new nurses to the profession, as well as retaining them.
  • The nursing shortage is very real, and we need more nurse educators to prepare nurses to care for our society's many healthcare needs.

• What advice would you give to those considering the YSU online RN to BSN program?

  Working and taking classes for a graduate program can be very time consuming and stressful. Be intent on setting aside time each week to work on your class assignments in order to stay on track with your schoolwork.

• Tell us something interesting about yourself that your students might not know.

  I have been married for 33 years and have a daughter and a son. I have had miniature schnauzers throughout my married life. I currently do not own a miniature schnauzer but would love to get another one. And I love to golf but am not able to play nearly as often as I would like.