As a nurse, I can only touch so many lives. As an instructor, I can train new nurses to provide that same care and compassion to an exponentially larger number of people.
Jennifer Ashcraft, MSN, RN
- Alum
- Faculty
Jennifer Ashcraft’s journey in nursing is nothing short of inspiring. She began as an associate-degree registered nurse and relentlessly pursued further education, earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing, followed by a master’s degree in nursing education. Now, she’s taking it to the next level by pursuing her doctorate in education from A&M-Commerce.
Jennifer’s clinical nursing expertise is extensive, with a focus on critical care, flight nursing and emergency medicine. Originally from Arkansas, she made the bold move to Texas to work for the American Heart Association as a product manager, where she played a key role in developing life-saving basic and advanced life support training courses.
Balancing her passion for teaching with hands-on practice, Jennifer continues to work as an emergency room nurse for the Hunt Regional Hospital District. Her dedication to both education and emergency medicine makes her an inspiring figure for nurses and students alike.
A Conversation with Jennifer
Why do you like teaching?
I love being able to teach complex concepts and trying to make them easy to understand and apply. It is rewarding to see students suddenly connect the dots and understand the material. There is a tremendous need for nurses, and teaching allows me the opportunity to help meet the demand for new nurses.
What do you like most about your career?
I have always believed I was called to be a nurse. I love to help people. It is rewarding to be there when someone is in their most vulnerable state and provide them both the physical and spiritual care needed to return to the fullest life possible. As a nurse, I can only touch so many lives. As an instructor, I can train new nurses to provide that same care and compassion to an exponentially larger number of people.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
In my spare time, I enjoy being with my husband and our eight grandkids (and their parents 😊 ). We like to go camping any chance we get. I also enjoy serving on my church's production team and doing mission work in Peru.
Educational Background
- Ed.D., Nursing, Texas A&M University-Commerce, 2025
- M.Ed, Nursing, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christie, 2014
- B.S.N., Nursing, Arkansas Tech University, 1996
- A.A.S., Nursing, University of Arkansas-Fort Smith, 1992
Awards and Honors
- Collegiate Learning and Student Succeeding Award, 2021
Research Interests
- Simulation in Healthcare