MSN
Valparaiso University, 2023
BSN
Valparaiso University, 2016
B.S.
Purdue University Calumet, Sociology, 2007
About
Professor Martin serves as the Director of the Center for Experiential Learning at Valparaiso University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions. With a diverse and accomplished background in clinical nursing and higher education, she is dedicated to bridging the gap between classroom instruction and clinical practice through innovative, technology-enhanced learning experiences.
Professor Martin has 10 years of experience in cardiac and neuro acute care at various hospitals in Indiana. She has earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Valparaiso University (2023) where she now contributes as a faculty member and clinical educator. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Valparaiso University (2016) and a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Purdue University Calumet (2007). She is a current student in Valparaiso University’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program, projected to graduate in May 2028. Her clinical career spans multiple hospitals across Indiana, where she worked in demanding roles including Registered Resource Nurse and Travel Resource Nurse, providing care across specialty units, leading rapid response efforts, and modeling best practices in patient-centered care.
As an Adjunct Clinical Instructor prior to her current leadership role, Professor Martin guided undergraduate nursing students in the application of clinical reasoning, evidence-based practice, and professional communication. Known for creating inclusive and dynamic learning environments, she continues to foster innovation in nursing education by integrating emerging technologies—such as artificial intelligence—into experiential learning frameworks.
Her professional excellence has been recognized through honors including the Freda S. Scales Award (2024) and multiple Employee of the Month Awards for exceptional patient care. She is an active member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (Zeta Epsilon Chapter) and serves her community as an Event Chair for the Alzheimer’s Association of Porter and LaPorte Counties, where she leads outreach, fundraising, and advocacy efforts.
Katherine’s scholarly interests focus on addressing social determinants of health in primary care, and her recent manuscript, “Interventions for APRN to address Social Determinants of Health in Primary Care,” has been submitted for publication to the Journal of Nursing Scholarship.
Through her leadership at the Center for Experiential Learning, Katherine Martin emphasizes collaborative partnerships, evidence-based innovation, and experiential education, preparing nursing students to deliver compassionate, high-quality care across diverse clinical settings.
