For Cristin Coleman, a doctoral student at Case Western Reserve University’s Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, her journey into pediatric care is deeply personal. As a child who was hospitalized multiple times, her experiences left a lasting impact—ultimately inspiring her to help launch a pediatric cardiac intensive care unit at UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital.
“The compassion and resilience I witnessed in pediatric care inspired me to pursue a career where I could offer the same support and care to other children,” she said.
Now pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Nurse Education Leadership, Coleman aims to empower the next generation of nurses with the tools and confidence needed to care for patients through innovative, interactive teaching strategies that adapt to various generational learning styles.
At CWRU, Coleman’s research includes designing and evaluating a multimodal orientation program for new graduate nurses entering pediatric critical care. She also studies how simulation, peer mentorship and interactive digital tools enhance knowledge retention and confidence during the transition to practice.
“I want to advocate for education models that are realistic, compassionate and evidence-based,” said Coleman, who expects to graduate in 2027. “This means rethinking how we onboard, mentor and ensure long-term growth.”
Read on to learn more about Coleman’s experience at CWRU and hear her vision for the future of nursing education.
Answers have been edited for clarity and length.
What led you to pursue your doctoral studies at CWRU?
I was inspired by Pat Beam, former director of nursing education at UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, who encouraged me to pursue my DNP at CWRU. The university's commitment to nursing leadership and educational innovation aligns perfectly with my own goals, and I knew it would provide the academic rigor and mentorship I needed to grow.
In what ways has your time at CWRU shaped you as a leader and educator?
CWRU has provided me with a supportive and intellectually stimulating environment. The faculty are incredibly knowledgeable and accessible, and the DNP program helped me build strong connections between theory and my day-to-day practice. I’ve grown tremendously in my ability to think critically about educational design and lead with purpose. I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn, grow and connect with leaders who are as passionate about the future of nursing as I am.
Can you describe your experience helping launch a pediatric cardiac unit at UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital? What motivated you to do so?
Helping launch the pediatric cardiac ICU at Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital was both exhilarating and overwhelming—a once-in-a-career opportunity. We not only opened a new physical space, but built an entirely new team, composed largely of new graduate nurses trained to care for one of the most complex pediatric populations.
The motivation behind it was clear: our congenital heart patients deserve the highest quality, individualized care. From day one, the mission has always been to build a strong, compassionate team to meet that need.
What has been the most rewarding part of your experiences?
There’s nothing more rewarding than watching someone you mentored thrive. A couple of the nurses I taught as undergraduate clinical students are now confident charge nurses in our cardiac ICU. Seeing their growth from nervous students to expert caregivers who mentor others has been incredibly affirming. It reminds me why I do this work.
How do you hope to apply what you’ve learned at CWRU to your future career?
Balancing a doctoral program, full-time work and raising two young children has been challenging but incredibly rewarding. CWRU has challenged me to think differently and lead boldly. I look forward to applying these lessons to continue elevating nursing education at my institution and beyond.
