Joining the faculty in 1992, Professor Schmidt teaches in the undergraduate and graduate programs. Her area of expertise is parent-child nursing.

Prior to teaching at Valparaiso University, Professor Schmidt worked as a pediatric clinical nurse specialist at Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington, Illinois.

Professor Schmidt's areas of scholarly interest include children's pain, Orem's nursing theory, nursing education, ethics, service learning, and spirituality.  She co-edited an undergraduate research textbook, Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing: Appraisal and Application of Research with Dean Janet Brown, and co-edited Spiritual Care in Nursing Practice with Professor Kris Mauk. Professor Schmidt also enjoys her volunteer work teaching "Safe Sitter," a nationally recognized babysitting class for children ages 11-13.