Faculty Profiles

Norma V. Vela, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC is a Clinical Associate Professor at St. David’s School of Nursing at Texas State University, Round Rock campus. Primary teaching responsibilities include teaching at the graduate level in the nurse practitioner program at Texas State University. Ms. Vela is currently enrolled in a Doctor of Nursing Practice program specializing in Educational Leadership. Previous degrees include a Master’s in Science with specialization in Nursing Education, a Bachelor’s in Science in Nursing and a post-master’s certificate as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP).

Thirty-one years of nursing practice have provided her with an extensive clinical and academic background including critical care, acute and chronic dialysis, home health, education program coordinator (hospital setting), occupational medicine nurse (hospital setting), diabetes case management in dialysis patients, Clinical Assistant Professor in an undergraduate nursing program, long-term care consultant, Board Certified PMHNP in community health and owner/operator of a psychiatric private practice clinic in the South Texas rural setting.These nursing opportunities have fostered development of leadership skills as a charge nurse, assistant manager, facility manager, hospital educator, preceptor, mentor, course coordinator and course manager.

Courses taught in the graduate program include Advanced Psychiatric Health Assessment & Clinical Interview/Practicum, Integrative Clinical Management Across the Lifespan, PMH Diagnostics Clinical Management for Pediatric Clients, Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Pharmacotherapeutic and PMH Diagnostics & Clinical Management for Adults & Geriatric Clients. Past courses taught include face-to-face and virtual classes throughout all levels of the undergraduate curriculum in practicum and didactic settings, bridge courses for the master’s program, and in the accelerated undergraduate program.

Current projects include implementing a nurse resiliency bundle in the rural hospital setting. Past research has included “Latino Grandparent Opportunity to Impact Child Obesity: The Healthy Us Grandparent Study (HUGS).” Past simulation incorporated interdisciplinary collaboration with the pharmacy students.Current committee membership comprises School of Nursing Faculty Assembly, Simulation Committee, MSN APG Committee, Professional Development Committee, Nurse Planner, MSN Council and the Search Committee. As a member of the APG committee, Ms. Vela is responsible for reviewing applications and recommending acceptance or denial of graduate nursing applicants. Ms. Vela is a member of the Psychiatric Advanced Practice Nurses of Texas, Coastal Bend APN, Texas Nurses Association, American Nurses Association, American Association of Nurse Practitioners and the American Psychiatric Nurses Association and remains engaged in her community through her past involvement in the Kleberg County COVID-19 Task Force.