Dr. Deborah Stone
Assistant Professor and Chair of the Graduate Forensic Nursing Program
"The most important message is: you will not find what you have neglected to look for. The current state of affairs is that forensic patients and issues surround us, whether or not we are aware.
"
"The most important message is: you will not find what you have neglected to look for. The current state of affairs is that forensic patients and issues surround us, whether or not we are aware.
"
Degrees Held:
- Ph.D. in Nursing with concentration in Health Promotion — University of Massachusetts Lowell, 2017
- M.S. in Forensic Nursing — Fitchburg State College, 2006
- BSN — Texas Woman's University, 1985
Career Highlights:
I am the nursing faculty for this course, and my name is Deborah Stone. I have been an RN for 32 years. I graduated with my BS in Nursing from Texas Woman's University in 1985. During the 1990's I discovered Sexual Assault Nursing. I was the 3rd RN to be certified in Texas as a SANE for both children and adults. In 2002, I relocated to Massachusetts and graduated from this program with my Master of Science in Forensic Nursing in 2006. Recently, I completed my PhD in Nursing, with a focus on health promotion at the University of Massachusetts in Lowell. My research area of interest is adolescent dating violence. I began teaching in the MSN & BSN programs here at Fitchburg State University in 2007. My clinical practice has been primarily in emergency nursing, but I did spend a few years in Occupational Health Nursing. I was the only healthcare provider on a large construction site, rendering first aid, and keeping OSHA records. This was a fun job! I live in Leominster Massachusetts with my boyfriend of 13 years and my Old English Mastiff. I was born in California, grew up in Texas, spent a few years as an adolescent in Iran (1976-1979), and finally completed my trip across the US landing in New England. I welcome you all and look forward to getting to know each other and learning together.
Which online degree program(s) do you teach?
Which classes do you teach online?
Caring for Forensic Populations.
In what ways do you connect with online students?
Typical methods such as PowerPoints and YouTube, but more recently I have been using screencast-o-matic for a more personal touch.
What do you want your students to take away from class?
The most important message is: you will not find what you have neglected to look for. The current state of affairs is that forensic patients and issues surround us, whether or not we are aware. In this course we begin to explore the individual, socio-cultural, environmental, and systemic factors related to violence and trauma.
What advice would you give to your online students?
Start all work early and reread the directions often! If you need help, ask. I cannot help if I am not informed. Have fun – this is a different course and the assignments are designed to be informative and enjoyable!
What is the one book you think everyone should read?
Just one? First, "South of Forgiveness," which was written by a victim with her perpetrator, Thordis Elva & Tom Stranger. For fun, "Being Mortal" by Atul Gawande, "Cutting for Stone" by Abraham Verghese, and "The Red Tent" by Anita Diamond.
What do you do when you need a laugh?
Watch an episode of South Park.
