Loretta Aller, Ph.D., RN

Dr. Aller serves as an Assistant Professor for the Kent State University College of Nursing. Her research has resulted in a contemporary model of undergraduate nursing education centered on decision-making and self-efficacy, specifically designed to counteract high turnover rates for new graduates. Her reimagined theory of undergraduate nursing education addresses high attrition rates for nurses entering the workforce and leads to informed, evidence-based curricular and program decisions for better nurse preparation and patient safety. Dr. Aller’s current research uses multi-platform virtual simulation to measure the experience of nursing students: the movement from self-doubt (anxiety, fear) to self-efficacy (confidence and competence) and the development of safe patient care decisions based on sound clinical judgment. Based on her findings, Dr. Aller and her research team are conducting feasibility testing for the Aller’s Development of Decision-Making and Self-Efficacy in Undergraduate Nursing Education model at Kent State University and the University of Mount Union. Dr. Aller’s recent study findings were published in Nurse Educator, and she has authored several book chapters for Elsevier’s Fundamentals of Nursing. She has also embraced unique methods of knowledge dissemination through invitational podcasts and webinars, including participation in a recent podcast series by Nurse Educator. 
Previous to her current position, she served as an Associate Lecturer at Kent State University at Stark for over a decade, and her work experience includes clinical and administrative positions at Akron General/Cleveland Clinic, Summa Health, Hospice & Palliative Care of Visiting Nurse Service, and Middlebury Manor in Akron, as well as test item writing, reviewing, and teaching for Kaplan, Inc. and Elsevier Publishing, Inc. She and her research team received funding from the Health Foundation of Greater Massillon and the Austin-Bailey Health & Wellness Foundation, as well as internal funding awards through Kent State University. Dr. Aller received her PhD, MSN, and BSN degrees from Kent State University.

• NURS 35060 - Critical Thinking and Test Taking