Dr. Sarah Gillies, DNE, MSN, RN, PCCN

Dr. Sarah Gillies earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in 2017 and her Master of Science in Nursing Education (MSN) in 2022 from Missouri Western State University. She completed her Doctor of Nursing Education (DNE) degree at The Ohio State University in 2026.

Dr. Gillies is a Certified Progressive Care Nurse (PCCN) with clinical experience in advanced cardiac care and outpatient surgery. She also has a special interest in palliative and hospice nursing, with a passion for caring for patients and families through serious illness and end-of-life transitions.

Before joining the Benedictine College School of Nursing faculty full-time in 2021, Dr. Gillies served as an adjunct clinical instructor at both Benedictine College and Missouri Western State University. Her teaching focuses on preparing future nurses to provide compassionate, evidence-based care while recognizing the dignity of every person in every stage of life.

As a Catholic nurse educator, Dr. Gillies is committed to integrating faith, professional excellence, and holistic care of the body, mind, and spirit into nursing education. In her free time, Dr. Gillies enjoys reading, walking, and spending time with her dogs and husband, who is also a nurse.

Education

• Doctor of Nursing Education (DNE), Academic Nursing Educator (ANE), The Ohio State University – Columbus, OH (2026)
  • Palliative and End-of-Life Care Graduate Certificate (2025)
• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Nurse Educator, Missouri Western State University – Saint Joseph, MO (2022)
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Missouri Western State University – Saint Joseph, MO (2017)

Areas of Expertise

• Progressive Care Nursing
• Pathophysiology

Areas of Research

• Palliative and End-of-Life Care
• Innovations in Nursing Education
• Psychological Safety in the Classroom

Publications

Grove, T., Gillies, S., & Stewart, S. (2026). Closing the communication gap through text-based clinical simulation: Right provider, right message. Nurse Educator. https://doi.org/10.1097/NNE.0000000000002284

Presentations

Gillies, S. (2026, July 14). Enhancing nurse student attitudes towards end-of-life care through evidence-based modules [Poster presentation]. Annual Kansas Nurse Educators Conference, Wichita, KS.

Gillies, S. (2023, July 19). Improving attitudes and confidence toward end-of-life care through simulation [Poster presentation]. Annual Kansas Nurse Educators Conference, Wichita, KS.

Professional Memberships

National Association of Catholic Nurses (NACN-USA), Member

Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN), Member and Ambassador

Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA), Member