In addition to teaching, Dr. Dragstra works as an on-call hospice nurse. Prior to joining Northwestern’s faculty, she practiced nursing in orthopedics as well as home and public health.
Nurse + educator
Dr. Dragstra holds degrees in nursing from St. Joseph Mercy School of Nursing, Briar Cliff University and Augustana College. She also received a doctorate in education from the University of South Dakota, where her dissertation focused on promoting clinical reasoning and critical thinking in nursing education.
Care provider
While she enjoys shaping the future of nursing in her classroom, Dr. Dragstra appreciates her hands-on work as a hospice nurse. In 2018 she received a scholarship grant from Northwestern to pursue training in end-of-life care. She also has provided continuing education for hospice nurses at a local hospital and community conference.
Leader in nursing
Dr. Dragstra belongs to several nursing organizations, including the American Nurses Association, Iowa Organization of Nurse Leaders, and Nurses Christian Fellowship. She is also the former president of the Iowa Association of Colleges of Nurses.
Heart for service
Outside the medical field, she volunteers annually at a church auction for Christian education and serves at The Banquet, a feeding ministry located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
