Laura James

Biography

My story at Bradley University began as an undergraduate nursing student. I enjoyed going through this program and felt it that I was well-prepared as an undergraduate nurse. I built life-long relationships and friends with several faculty members who I have stayed in contact with throughout the years. I began working as a nurse in the emergency department and trauma, which I loved! I continued my nursing education at Illinois State University and received my Master of Science in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner. I began working as a family nurse practitioner in Peoria, IL and I continue to work one day at the same clinic. When I began teaching as an adjunct faculty instructor at Bradley University in early 2018, I quickly fell in love with connecting the nursing profession with teaching. I began as a full-time faculty instructor in the online family nurse practitioner program in Fall 2018. I am proud to be an alum at Bradley and I love that I returned to a great institution to teach future nurse practitioners.

Hobbies

Outside of work, I am a very busy mom of three happy, healthy, and energetic boys, Maxwell, Bentley, and Jackson. They are involved in several sports and we spend most evenings and weekends at practices or games. We love to be outside and love going to parks. I enjoy exercising, playing sports, running, and reading. I have been involved in a book club for the past 10 years and enjoy meeting with them each month.

Teaching

I currently teach many theory and practicum courses within the online family nurse practitioner program. I have taught in women’s health practicum, pediatric theory and practicum, adult practicum, gerontology practicum, lifespan theory and practicum, and Practicum Immersion courses.

Teaching Philosophy

My teaching philosophy is seeing my student enter the classroom with positive attitudes and watching them grow and learn throughout the semester. The best classes occur when students know they are expected to work hard and do their best. I enjoy helping students work at their highest potential and build them up throughout the semesters. I encourage my students to bring real-life experiences throughout their practicums to discuss what worked well and what they learned from these experiences.

I love that healthcare is ever-changing. This helps keep students (and faculty) stay on our toes and use critical thinking skills in all areas of caring for individuals. Having students bring practicum experiences from all over the country allows others to experience different kinds of ways to care for patients.

Scholarship

I have participated in projects family medicine, advanced practice nursing, human trafficking, pediatric car seat safety, preventative medicine, and interprofessional collaboration.

Flinn, L. DNP National Conference 2023, “Implementation of an Updated Screening Tool to Identify Human Trafficking Victims in the Emergency Department,” Doctor of Nursing Practice, National – virtual conference. (August 2023). Mini-podium presentation, accepted.

Flinn, L. & Hermann. M., (2023). My Faculty is a Real Person! Overcoming Struggles in an Asynchronous Learning Environment. Faculty Focus | Higher Ed Teaching & Learning. https://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/online-education/online-course-delivery-and-instruction/my-faculty-is-a-real-person-overcoming-struggles-in-an-asynchronous-learning-environment/

Flinn, L. (2022). Implementation of an Updated Screening Tool to Identify Human Trafficking Victims in the Emergency Department—ProQuest. https://www.proquest.com/openview/44ef42d99bce9cb2e0de2f3d3b82853a/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y

Service

Department: Dr. Finn is currently active on the Program Evaluation Committee and Graduate Curriculum Committee.

External: Dr. Flinn serves on the interprofessional and regional Central Illinois Human Trafficking Task Force. She has been a member of Sigma Theta Tau international nursing society Epsilon Epsilon since 2020 and Xi Pi chapter since 2012. She also serves through her children’s school as a Parent Teacher Organization helper, UPC Discovery Parent helper.

I also still practice weekly as a family nurse practitioner in the Peoria area. I have been in this current job for the past decade and thoroughly enjoy the office I work. I really enjoy being able to have my hand still in patient-care while teaching future nurse practitioners.

Licensures and Certifications

• American Nurses Credentialing Center, Family Nurse Practitioner, 2013-present
• APN (Advance Practice Nurse), specializing in Family Practice
• Licensed Advanced Practice Nurse, Controlled Substance
• Registered Professional Nurse
• National League for Nursing Faculty Member
• Illinois State for Advanced Practice Nurses (ISAPN)