Erica Grace Rizzo

Erica Rizzo is a dedicated and accomplished healthcare professional, serving as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Nursing at Quinnipiac University. With a passion for education and a commitment to shaping the next generation of nurses, Erica brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her role. Erica joined Quinnipiac University's School of Nursing in 2022 as a full-time faculty member in the traditional and accelerated BSN programs focusing on medical-surgical nursing and NCLEX-RN exam preparation.

Erica holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Healthcare Systems Leadership and a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Nursing Education. She is a licensed Registered Nurse (RN). She has obtained specialty certification from the National League for Nursing as a Certified Nurse Educator (CNE), demonstrating her expertise in nursing education and a commitment to maintaining the highest standards of teaching excellence.

Erica's clinical practice includes acute care medical-surgical nursing and long-term care. Her most recent clinical role was as a Nursing Professional Development Specialist as the New Graduate RN Residency Program Director. She also oversaw the medical-surgical service line, onboarding and orientation, and organization and coordination of student clinical experiences at the organization. Her clinical experience has given her valuable insights into the dynamic and evolving healthcare field. This real-world experience enriches her teaching approach, allowing her to bridge the gap between theory and practice.

As a Clinical Assistant Professor at Quinnipiac University, Erica enjoys developing and implementing innovative teaching strategies that prepare nursing students for the challenges of modern healthcare. She is known for her engaging teaching style, fostering a collaborative learning environment that inspires students to excel.

Beyond the classroom, Erica mentors graduate students in evidence-based practice and quality improvement projects to improve patient outcomes and nursing education. She also engages in her own scholarly work, emphasizing improved nursing education pedagogy. She strongly advocates for evidence-based practice and strives to instill this mindset in her students.