Biography:
Patricia Farmer is a Professor of Nursing at the University of Providence’s School of Health Professions Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program. Farmer joined UP in 2018 with an extensive educational and clinical background that combines over thirty years of experience in clinical nursing, nurse management, advanced practice nursing, and administrative nursing.
Farmer’s educational background includes a Doctor of Nursing Practice from George Washington University, a Master of Science in Nursing from Sonoma State University, and a Baccalaureate of Nursing from California State University Dominguez Hills. With over 30 years of clinical experience, Farmer has worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner, Emergency Department Nurse Practitioner, and Emergency Department Staff Nurse. She has also been involved in various leadership positions throughout nursing and healthcare, including as a Nurse Manager, Director of Emergency Services, and Emergency Department Nurse Manager.
In addition to her clinical work, Farmer has served as a research and policy analyst, strategy and research consultant, and nurse expert. For approximately nine years, she also owned her own business, Coping with Circadian Chaos. Farmer’s clinical experience is matched by her teaching experience, which includes her role as a research/teaching faculty member at George Washington University and a lecturer at Humboldt State University. She was also a lecturer and clinical instructor at the College of the Redwoods.
Educational Background
- Doctor of Nursing Practice, George Washington University
- Master of Science in Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner, Sonoma State University
- Baccalaureate of Nursing, California State University Dominguez Hills
Professional/Clinical Background
- Strategy & Research Consultant, 2014 – 2017
- Nurse Expert, 2011 – 2017
- Researcher & Policy Analyst, 2011 – 2012
- Family Nurse Practitioner, 2006 – 2008
- Family Nurse Practitioner, 2002 – 2014
- Emergency Department Nurse Practitioner, 2000 – 2004
- Emergency Department Staff Nurse, 1991 – 2006
- Owner: Coping with Circadian Chaos, 1991 – 2000
- Clinical Nurse Consultant, 1988 – 1996
- Emergency Department Nurse Manager, 1988 – 1991
- Clinical Content Expert, 1987 – 1990
- Manager/Director of Emergency Services, 1984 – 1988
Faculty/Teaching Background
- Professor, University of Providence School, 2018 – Current
- Research/Teaching Faculty, George Washington University, 2010 – 2018
- Lecturer, Humboldt State University, 2007 – 2010
- Lecturer & Clinical Instructor, College of the Redwoods, 1989 – 1995
Professional Affiliations
- Sigma Nursing Honor Society Omicron Omega Chapter, Director
- American Association of Nurse Practitioners, Member
- American Nurses Association, Member
- National League for Nursing, Member
- COVID Vaccine Program of Humboldt County, Member
- Sigma Nursing Honor Society Omicron Omega Chapter, President
- Humboldt Health Foundation Board of Directors, President
- Humboldt Health Foundation Board of Directors, Development Chair
- Aligning Forces for Quality at the Humboldt-Del Norte County Leadership Team, Member
- Redwood Coast Emergency Training Center, Board of Directors Member
- California Association of Nurse Practitioners, Health Policy & Practice Committee Member
- Working Time Society Scientific Committee on Shiftwork and Working Time, Member
- American Organization of Nurse Executives, Member
- National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculty, Member
Licensure/Certifications/Training
- California Registered Nurse
- California Family Nurse Practitioner
- Montana Registered Nurse
- Washington Registered Nurse
- DEA-MF (Schedule II Prescriptive Authority)
- California State Certified Paramedic
- Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (Certified for Human Subject Research)
Honors/Awards/Accolades
- Certificate of Appreciation CA State Parks; > 500 Hours Volunteer Service
- Sigma Theta Tau International Best Practice in Technology Award
- Certificate of Appreciation Academic Progression in Nursing National Program Office
- Sigma Theta Tau International Education Technology Award
- Outstanding Research Presentation Award at the 20th International Symposium on Shiftwork & Working Time
- George Washington University Outstanding DNP Student Award
- CSU Chancellors Doctoral Incentive Program Scholarship
- Featured on the cover of Nurse Week Magazine, October Issue
- Kris Kelly Star of Life Award for Outstanding Contributions to EMS
- Joseph Health System Scholarship Recipient
- Joseph Health System Values in Action Nomination
- American Heart Association Service Award
- Certificate of Distinguished Scholarship from California State University
Program Involvement
- ABSN: Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Pre-Licensure Program
Course Involvement
- NRS 370: Introduction to Professional Nursing
- NRS 376: Pathophysiology & Pharmacology I
- NRS 376: Pathophysiology & Pharmacology II
- NRS 410: Evidence-Based Practice
- NRS 425: Health Promotion
Community Involvement
- Nursing Admissions Committee, Member
- University Faculty Resources and Development Committee, Member
- Career Services Team % Nursing Division, Liaison
- Graduate Student MSN Nursing Education (90 hours), Preceptor
- Providence Research Council, Participant
- Clinical Education sites BSN program, Coordinator
- Clinical Education Sites BSN Program, Coordinator
- Ad Hoc Committee on Faculty Salary & Benefits, Member
- Ad Hoc Committee for Student Grade Appeals, Member
- Nursing Admissions Committee, Chair
- Content Development, Consultant
Three Questions With Patricia Farmer
- What is the most exciting or unique course you have ever taught?
- I enjoy each course I teach, but my favorite is Introduction to Professional Nursing. This is the best nursing course in the curriculum, and students begin exploring what it means to be a Registered Nurse. Often, preconceived ideas and stereotypes must what it means to be a registered nurse must be discarded as each new nursing student develops their own individual, professional identity.
- What do you enjoy doing outside of academia?
- Outside of academia, I enjoy the outdoors! I garden and hike, and travel to new places to explore.
- What is the most challenging aspect of being a nurse, and how do you deal with it?
- The most challenging (and rewarding) aspect of being a nurse is maintaining a genuine presence for patients in any situation. Even in a momentary encounter, we can meet the Providence Mission: “Know me, care for me, ease my way.”
