Dr. Tese Stephens is a nurse leader, educator, researcher, and consultant with over 38 years of experience in both practice and academic settings. She has devoted much of her career to radically transforming the culture of nursing, advocating for compassionate courage in positively disrupting the status quo. She is the author of Stephens’ Model of Resilience and the founder and of RN P.R.E.P. (Personal Resilience Enhancement Plan). Her research is focused on RESILIENCE, specifically as a tool to promote well-being and professional fulfillment in nurses, nursing students, and interprofessional teams. Much of this work is built upon the narratives of Holocaust survivors. Tese enjoys helping organizations build RESILIENT TEAMS to embrace collective efficacy to eradicate the systemic issues leading to moral distress and burnout. She is a Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) and serves on the Board of the SC Nurses Association as the Representative to the ANA Assembly. Dr. Stephens is an Advisory Board member for the Coalition for Nurse Well-Being, South Carolina Hospital Association’s Workforce Development, and the Oklahoma Hospital Association’s Workforce Wellness initiatives. She currently serves as the Associate Dean for Academics at the Medical University of South Carolina’s College of Nursing.

Dr. Stephens received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from East Tennessee State University, her Master of Science in Nursing from King College, a post-graduate certificate in nursing education from the University of Tennessee, and her Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Tennessee. She is the author of multiple publications and book chapters and a frequent presenter at regional, national, and international conferences and workshops. She is married to Scott and her favorite role is as “Nonnie” to her beloved Emmie, Owen, and Murphie Jo.

Dr. Tese Stephens as a new graduate nurse (1986)