Heather Lachiewicz, MSN, RN, CNML, NE-BC, NPD-BC, CHSE, CNE is a Clinical Associate at the Center for Nursing Discovery (CND) at Duke University School of Nursing (DUSON). In her role, Heather collaborates with faculty to define learning objectives, design teaching plans, and develop nursing skills training sessions. She also supports implementation of simulation-based learning activities across the nursing curriculum, fostering experiential education to enhance clinical competency.
Heather earned both her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing in Health Care Systems with concentrations in education and administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She began her nursing career in the Surgery Trauma Intensive Care Unit (STICU) and later advanced into leadership roles, including preceptor, charge nurse, and nurse manager of Cardiac and Vascular Surgery ICUs (CVICUs) in Ohio and Georgia.
Before joining DUSON, Heather served as the Nurse Residency Coordinator at Emory Healthcare, where she educated and mentored newly licensed nurses during their critical first year of practice. She has precepted new and experienced nurses as well as graduate nursing students. She contributed to the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) reaccreditation of Emory's Nurse Residency Program. In 2020, Heather was recognized as a finalist for the March of Dimes Georgia Nurse of the Year Award. She has also published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at national conferences.
Heather is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH), and the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. She also serves on the Membership Committee of the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL), and hopes her contributions support advancing simulation education globally.