Whitney Van De Graaff, MSN, RN, CPN

Assistant Professor

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Contact

whitneyvandegraaff@creighton.edu
Faculty - Nursing
College of Nursing
CRISS II - Criss 2 - 223B

Whitney Van De Graaff, MSN, RN, CPN

Assistant Professor

Whitney N. Van De Graaff, MSN, RN, CPN, is an Assistant Professor in the College of Nursing at Creighton University. Her research focuses on implicit bias and empathy simulation in nursing students, palliative care, and pediatric hypertension. She holds an MSN in Nursing Education from Nebraska Methodist College and a BSN from Creighton University. Her scholarly work includes studies on pediatric resuscitation, social determinants of health in pediatric care, and nursing education innovations. She has been published in Nursing Education Perspectives and the International Journal of Nursing & Health Care Science. She has received the Nebraska Nurses Association 40 under 40 Award, the Daisy Award for Faculty, and the Teaching Excellence Award for Classroom Instruction. Through her research and teaching, she aims to enhance pediatric nursing education and promote equitable, compassionate healthcare for children.

Research Focus

Anxiety and Depression in Pediatrics with Chronic Illnesses
General Pediatrics
Oncology
Empathy in Nursing
Palliative Care

Position

Assistant Professor

Publications

  • Journal of hospice and palliative nursing
    Goodman Joely T, etal The Impact of the ELNEC Online Curriculum on Undergraduate Nursing Students' Self-Perceived Confidence in Providing Palliative Care
    27:6, p. 290 - 296 2025
  • Nursing education perspectives
    Hanks Jacquie, etal Implicit Bias in Nursing 2023

Presentations

  • The Impact of the Elnec Online Curriculum on Undergraduate Nursing Students' Confidence in Providing Palliative Care 2025
  • Nursing Pharmacology Course Placement and the Impact on Student Outcomes 2024
  • Effects of a Summer Nursing Pharmacology Course on Learner Success 2023
  • The Impact of the ELNEC Online Curriculum on Undergraduate Nursing Students' Confidence in Providing Palliative Care -0001

Awards

  • 40 under 40 Award
    Nebraska Nurses Association
  • Extraordinary Nurse Award
    40 under 40 Award
  • Faculty Excellence Award - Classroom Instruction
    Class of 2022
  • Faculty Daisy Award
  • Positive Image in Nursing Award
    Nebraska Nurses Association

Consulting

  • “Creighton studying Omaha students’ health habits while providing screenings.”
    Harris, J. (2024, November 19). “Creighton studying Omaha students’ health habits while providing screenings.” WOWT. https://www.wowt.com/2024/11/19/creighton-studying-omaha-students-health-habits-while-providing-screenings/
    WOWT
    2024 - 2024
  • CURAS SURF Proposals
    expert reviewer

    Creighton University
    2024 - 2024
  • Journal of School Health
    expert reviewer
    2023 - 2023