Biography
Michelle Nighswander, PhD, MSN-Ed, BSN, BC, is an Assistant Professor at the St. David’s School of Nursing at Texas State University in Round Rock, Texas. She earned her PhD at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas, and her MSN-Ed at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. Her research focus is childhood mental disabilities and how these conditions impact families. Her research has explored the many origins of parents' stressors, what parents view as their greatest unmet needs, and the hidden impact of a child's mental condition on spousal relationships, siblings, and the parents themselves. Her passion is to create better pathways for support and collaboration between families and the healthcare professionals and educators who work with these children. In addition, she strives to protect the rights of children and adults with disabilities, especially in education.
Research Interests
My research focuses on the challenges surrounding childhood mental disabilities and the impact these conditions have upon families. I want to investigate methods to assist parents and families raising children with mental disabilities with management strategies for the home environment as well as relieving social isolation. My research goal is to increase collaboration between parents, healthcare, and educational professionals to improve children's successful transition to adulthood.
Teaching Interests
I teach in the undergraduate program at the St David's School of Nursing at Texas State University. My teaching interests include Community Health, Research and Ethics, clinical assessment skills, and med-surg nursing care.