Background
Dr. Smith graduated from the Medical College of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2002, Uniformed Services University with a Master of Science in Nursing in 2012, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Medical University of South Carolina in 2016.

Teaching
Dr. Smith was a Clinical Assistant Professor at the Uniformed Sciences University from 2016-2020. During that time, she taught in the Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing programs, specifically DNP Project and Practicum courses. Dr. Smith teaches various courses across the undergraduate and graduate nursing programs in USC College of Nursing.
 
Research
Dr. Smith’s research interests are areas focusing on innovative teaching practices in nursing education.  Her passion is improving access to health care services, especially mental health services within outpatient settings. She enjoys seeing patients across the lifespan from newborn to elderly adults.
 
Dissemination

Dr. Smith’s dissemination activities include poster presentations at the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners National Conference, podium presentations at National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties Annual Conference and USC College of Nursing Scholarship Day.

Professional Service
Dr. Smith is currently a member of The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, National League for Nursing, South Carolina Nurses Association and the APRN Chapter, National Black Nurses Association SC Midlands Chapter, and Alpha Xi Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Nurses Honor Society. 
 
Professional Practice
Dr. Smith has over 20 years as a registered nurse practicing in medical-surgical nursing, critical care and emergency nursing, and 10 years as a family nurse practitioner within the military healthcare system. She retired as Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army Nurse Corp after 20 years. Dr. Smith has experience working in the MICU, PICU, SICU, ER as registered nurse and various Patient Centered Medical Homes (PCMH) throughout the United States and overseas. While deployed to Iraq for 15 months, she also gained experience as a Critical Care Flight Nurse. Dr. Smith has served in many leadership positions to include Head Nurse, Officer in Charge of Family Practice Clinic, Deputy Chief, Education Division, and Department Chief/Director of Primary Care. 
 
Publications

Smith, N.R., (2023). Take Off the Mask: Getting Real About Depression, Trauma and Loss. American Journal of Nursing, 123 (4) 64.

U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs and Department of Defense. (2020). VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guidelines for The Management of Dyslipidemia for Cardiovascular Risk Reduction. https://www.healthquality.va.gov/guidelines/CD/lipids/VADoDDyslipidemiaCPG5087212020.pdf