Lecturer/Simulation Specialist
University of Kentucky College of Nursing
Dr. Elizabeth Turcotte,DNP is a dedicated nursing educator and simulation specialist with a background in neonatal nursing. She earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and is a board-certified Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP-BC). Before transitioning into academia, she practiced as a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, where she developed expertise in critical care, patient safety, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Currently, Dr. Turcotte serves as a faculty member in the College of Nursing, where she plays an integral role in simulation-based education. She is passionate about utilizing innovative teaching strategies, including virtual reality and high-fidelity simulation, to enhance student engagement and clinical preparedness. As a member of the simulation team, she is actively involved in designing and implementing realistic, patient-centered scenarios to bridge the gap between theory and practice for nursing students.
Dr. Turcotte’s research interests focus on simulation as a tool for competency development, clinical judgment, and confidence building in pre-licensure and graduate nursing students. She is committed to advancing nursing education by integrating evidence-based teaching methodologies that promote critical thinking, teamwork, and patient safety.
Through her work, she continues to advocate for the importance of simulation in preparing future nurses for real-world clinical challenges.