Dr. Tese Stephens, a seasoned nurse educator, researcher, and consultant with 37 years of experience spanning practice and academia, is a Professor and Associate Dean for Academics at MUSC’s College of Nursing. With a passion for instilling compassionate courage and disrupting conventional norms, she authored Stephens’ Model of Resilience and founded RN P.R.E.P. (Personal Resilience Enhancement Plan). Her research, rooted in the narratives of Holocaust survivors, focuses on resilience as a catalyst for well-being and professional fulfillment among nurses, nursing students, and clinicians. As a Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) and Belfer Fellow with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Dr. Stephens actively contributes to nursing education and advocacy. She specializes in fostering resilient teams, particularly those undergoing transitions or crises. Serving as an Advisory Board member for the Coalition for Nurse Well-Being and the South Carolina Hospital Association’s Workforce Development, she is deeply involved in advancing nursing practice and workforce initiatives.
Dr. Stephens earned a BSN from East Tennessee State University, a MSN from King College, and a PhD from the University of Tennessee. Her extensive publication record, comprising numerous publications and book chapters, reflects her dedication to advancing nursing knowledge. A sought-after presenter at regional, national, and international conferences, Dr. Stephens continues to lead the charge in promoting resilience, compassionate courage, and ethical leadership within the nursing profession.