Dr. Tina Decker
Professor of Nursing; Department Chair
Education
D.N.P., Governors State University, University Park, Illinois 2016
M.S.N., Governors State University. University Park, Illinois, 2010
B.S.N., Trinity Christian College. Palos Heights, Illinois, 2006
Associated Academic Programs
Nursing“Nursing should be approached not as a job, but rather a vocation. It is a demanding field, that provides the opportunity for one’s actions to be a representation of caring and love.”
With her clinical background as an obstetric nurse and training as a clinical nurse specialist, Dr. Tina Decker ’06 loves to learn and she loves to teach. She has a particular interest in medication errors and how to prevent them. “I enjoy working with numbers, and so have been fascinated with exploring different approaches to teaching students medication calculations. I also am interested in wellness, and how to incorporate self-care for nursing students as a part of the academic curriculum.”
What drew her to Trinity:
Decker believes nurses have the unique opportunity to show God’s love through their actions. “In teaching nursing, I needed to be at a place where I could include that over-arching principle as a foundation for the ‘why’ nurses do what they do. Trinity’s Department of Nursing is a place where excellence is expected, but also where a caring community exists to provide support and encouragement.”
Research interests:
Decker is studying different approaches to teaching medication math to improve accuracy and the history of nursing education, specifically the call for the BSN to be the entry level to practice.
When she’s not teaching:
Decker is the proud mother of three–Cody, Van, and Mena. She enjoys playing and coaching soccer, taking pictures and exploring new places with her family.
Publications
- With C. Carlson & C. Van Lonkhuyzen. (2023). The Christian Nurse’s Role in Antibiotic Stewardship. Journal of Christian Nursing, 40(2).
- With D. Klanderman, C. Carlson, F. Haan, V. Normal, A. Schrotenboer, D. Schuurman, & J. Turner. (2022). Faith Integration in STEM Courses for Undergraduates: Exemplars of Pedagogical Practices. International Journal of Christianity and Education.
Presentations
- With L. Abinoja-Doot, C. Bretzlaff-Holstein, B. Boerman-Cornell, M. Dieter & D. Majewski. (2022, May). STAT: The Effect of an Interdisciplinary Simulation Training and Teamwork Day on College Students in Education, Social Work, Nursing, and Counseling. Conference presentation. ICCTE Conference. Newburg, OR.
- With A. Foll & E. Hulford. (2021, March). Back to the future: A feminist revision of the history of medicine and Christianity. Panel presentation at the Conference on Medicine and Religion, Columbus, OH.
Courses
- Leadership and Issues in Nursing
- Wellness for the Helping Professions
Memberships
- Sigma Theta Tau
-
Member of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Government Affair Committee2022- present
-
American Association of Colleges of Nursing Illinois State Grass Roots Liaison 2020-present
-
Illinois Association of Colleges of Nursing: Vice Chair 2018-2021
Awards
- Illinois Nurse Educator Fellowship 2024
- Illinois Nurses Foundation: 40 Under 40 Emerging Nurse Leaders, 2022
- Governors State University: Doctoral Nursing Program Outstanding Student of the Year, 2016-2017
- + Expertise
-
With her clinical background as an obstetric nurse and training as a clinical nurse specialist, Dr. Tina Decker ’06 loves to learn and she loves to teach. She has a particular interest in medication errors and how to prevent them. “I enjoy working with numbers, and so have been fascinated with exploring different approaches to teaching students medication calculations. I also am interested in wellness, and how to incorporate self-care for nursing students as a part of the academic curriculum.”
What drew her to Trinity:
Decker believes nurses have the unique opportunity to show God’s love through their actions. “In teaching nursing, I needed to be at a place where I could include that over-arching principle as a foundation for the ‘why’ nurses do what they do. Trinity’s Department of Nursing is a place where excellence is expected, but also where a caring community exists to provide support and encouragement.”
Research interests:
Decker is studying different approaches to teaching medication math to improve accuracy and the history of nursing education, specifically the call for the BSN to be the entry level to practice.
When she’s not teaching:
Decker is the proud mother of three–Cody, Van, and Mena. She enjoys playing and coaching soccer, taking pictures and exploring new places with her family.
- + Courses, Publications & Research
-
Publications
- With C. Carlson & C. Van Lonkhuyzen. (2023). The Christian Nurse’s Role in Antibiotic Stewardship. Journal of Christian Nursing, 40(2).
- With D. Klanderman, C. Carlson, F. Haan, V. Normal, A. Schrotenboer, D. Schuurman, & J. Turner. (2022). Faith Integration in STEM Courses for Undergraduates: Exemplars of Pedagogical Practices. International Journal of Christianity and Education.
Presentations
- With L. Abinoja-Doot, C. Bretzlaff-Holstein, B. Boerman-Cornell, M. Dieter & D. Majewski. (2022, May). STAT: The Effect of an Interdisciplinary Simulation Training and Teamwork Day on College Students in Education, Social Work, Nursing, and Counseling. Conference presentation. ICCTE Conference. Newburg, OR.
- With A. Foll & E. Hulford. (2021, March). Back to the future: A feminist revision of the history of medicine and Christianity. Panel presentation at the Conference on Medicine and Religion, Columbus, OH.
Courses
- Leadership and Issues in Nursing
- Wellness for the Helping Professions
- + Awards & Memberships
-
Memberships
- Sigma Theta Tau
-
Member of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Government Affair Committee2022- present
-
American Association of Colleges of Nursing Illinois State Grass Roots Liaison 2020-present
-
Illinois Association of Colleges of Nursing: Vice Chair 2018-2021
Awards
- Illinois Nurse Educator Fellowship 2024
- Illinois Nurses Foundation: 40 Under 40 Emerging Nurse Leaders, 2022
- Governors State University: Doctoral Nursing Program Outstanding Student of the Year, 2016-2017