Dr. Kristen Poston is an Assistant Professor and the Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Programs in the College of Nursing (CON) at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). She earned her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from the University of South Carolina, and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, her Master of Science in Nursing, and her Doctor of Nursing Practice from MUSC.
Dr. Poston has been a faculty member at the CON since 2017. Prior to serving as the Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Programs, she was the Lead Faculty for Undergraduate Programs. She is a certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and a Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE). She spent her time as a Registered Nurse working in neurology and neurosurgery at MUSC, and has extensive experience as a FNP in urgent care and rural health. In addition to her roles at the CON, Dr. Poston has served as the President of the South Carolina Nursing Education Simulation Alliance and on the Board of Directors of the South Carolina Nurses Foundation.
Dr. Poston’s scholarship interests are centered on practice readiness, simulation, immersive virtual reality, and the development of clinical judgment in prelicensure nursing students. She is passionate about preparing high-quality nurses for certification and practice, primarily through experiential learning and simulation. Dr. Poston aims to inspire excitement and growth in students via supporting their development to become the next generation of nurse change-makers. She considers it an honor and a privilege to empower students to reach their professional goals at the MUSC College of Nursing.
Academic Focus: Clinical judgment, Simulation, Immersive virtual reality, and Practice readiness/Transition to practice