Important Update:
Campus buildings reopened to the public effective July 1. Services are available virtually or by appointment only. Visitors should reach out to individual departments regarding appointments. Masks and social distancing are required while on campus. To learn more about current operations, view the university's summer reopening plan.
Diane Gaston
Manager Nursing Labs
About
Diane Gaston, MS, CCRN-K, RN
During my nursing career experience of over 40 years, I have worked in the hospital setting as a staff nurse, charge nurse, supervisor, manager, critical care educator and house supervisor. In the academic setting, I have taught various classes and clinical practice at the associate and baccalaureate levels.
I have earned and maintained certification in Critical Care, Advanced Cardiac Life Support and CPR. I am a member of the national and local chapter of American Association of Critical-Care Nurses and a national and local chapter member of Sigma Theta Tau (Honor Society of Nursing).
I am passionate about honoring and being responsible for the students' future patients. Seeing that the students develop their critical-thinking skills as well as their bedside skills, is the highest priority for me, so that they can provide the excellent quality of care their future patients deserve.
Classes Taught
Foundations of Nursing (class, lab and clinical)
Health Assessment (class and lab)
Critical Care Nursing (class and clinical)
Introduction to Nursing
Medical Surgical (class and clinical)
Clinicals – Leadership and Community
Education and Certifications
Bachelor of Science, Nursing, University of Central Oklahoma, 1977
Master of Science, Nursing, Southern Nazarene University, 2010
Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN). (1988-January 2018).
Critical Care Registered Nurse – Knowledge. (CCRN-K). January 2018-present)
Advanced Cardiac Life Support Provider (ACLS). 1987-present
Healthcare Provider BLS (CPR), American Heart Association. 1977-present
Experience
Areas of Expertise: Critical Care Nursing, Rapid Response Assessment, and Clinical Critical-Thinking Exercises
Hospital Administrative Skills – House Supervisor
Experience History: Medical-Surgical Nursing and Post Coronary Care Nursing for 6 years
Critical Care Nursing Experience as a staff nurse, lead nurse, supervisor, nursing manager, clinical nurse educator, and clinical instructor and faculty for over 30 years
Faculty in an LPN to RN associate program for a year and four months, Faculty in a baccalaureate program for six years and Lab Manager/classroom instructor for two and one-half years at UCO.
Honors and Awards
Deaconess Hospital Servant Leader Council Member, 1998-2007
Deaconess Hospital Exemplary Nurse Program, 2007
Summa cum laude, Southern Nazarene University, 2010
21st Century Pedagogy Institute New Teacher Scholar, 2019
Office Hours
Office Hours: Monday - Friday. Available, unless I have posted that I am in another location.
Professional and Community Involvement
American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN), Member since 1987
Local Chapter of AACN, Member
Sigma Theta Tau-International Beta-Delta Chapter at Large, Member since 2010
Assisted at First Aid Station at Oklahoma City Marathon
Presented Hypothermia and Hyperthermia for Girl Scouts Badge Awards
Performed glucose screening for Senior Health Fair
Research, Published Work, and Scholarly Activities
Poem published in “On the Wings of Poetry”, 2004 by Famous Poets Press
Teaching Philosophy
Teaching philosophy:
To positively impact the profession of nursing by teaching and training nurses in a context of achieving quality benchmarks as routine, within an environment that nurtures individual ideas and aptitudes, toward the delivery of excellent patient care.
Interests
Research interests:
Critical Care Nursing
Nursing as a Calling
Clinical Problem-Solving and Decision-Making
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