Biography
I was born in Utah. I grew up with two younger sisters and a brother in California (both Northern and Southern) and graduated from High School in Connecticut. I returned to Utah to study Nursing at BYU where I met and married my husband Trent. After working some time as an RN on medical-surgical units, I completed a Master of Science degree at the University of Utah in the Adult Nurse Practitioner program. I worked for many years providing primary care for women as a Board Certified Nurse Practitioner (APRN-BC). I began teaching at Brigham Young University full-time in 2005. I completed a PhD in nursing at the University of Utah in 2014. My husband and I have four children and one granddaughter.
Research Interests
Dr. Himes’s research focuses on genomics-informed nursing practice and education, with particular attention to how clinicians learn, communicate, and apply genomic information in clinical care. Her work spans clinical genomics practice and nursing education, reflecting the intersection between patient- and family-centered care and the preparation of clinicians to deliver genomics-informed healthcare.A major area of her scholarship includes competency framework development for genomics nurse educators, addressing gaps in educational preparation and advancing the specialty of genomics nursing education. Her work has been recognized through national and international scholarly engagement and leadership focused on advancing genomics nursing education and professional standards. Methodologically, her research primarily employs mixed-methods approaches, including Delphi studies and consensus-based methods, to inform education, practice, and professional development in genomics-informed care.
Teaching Interests
Dr. Himes teaches across undergraduate and graduate nursing programs, with core interests in fundamentals of nursing practice, clinical judgment, simulation-based education, and genetics and genomics. She has extensive experience teaching in medical–surgical clinical settings and regularly helps students connect patients’ clinical conditions to underlying genetic and genomic considerations, including implications for family education and risk communication.Simulation is a central component of her teaching philosophy and practice. She is formally trained in simulation pedagogy and has led skills laboratory and simulation integration in foundational nursing courses, incorporating simulation experiences throughout laboratory curricula. In addition, she contributes regularly to graduate nursing education through genomics instruction, guest lectures, and thesis mentorship. Her teaching emphasizes preparing current and future clinicians to integrate scientific knowledge, clinical reasoning, and compassionate care.
Education
- Ph.D, Nursing; Genomics Emphasis , Genomics, University of Utah (2014)
- Master of Science in Nursing, Adult Nurse Practitioner , Adult Nurse Practitioner, University of Utah (1996)
- Bachelor of Science, Nursing , Brigham Young University (1991)
Licenses and Certifications
- State of Utah Department of Commerce - Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) (1997 - 2028)
- American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), Adult Nurse Practitioner Board Certification (1996 - 2028)
- State of Utah Department opf Commerce - Division of Occupational & Professional Licensing, Registered Nurse Under Interstate Compact (1992 - 2027)
Honors and Awards
- Founder’s Award for Excellence in Genomic Nursing Education, International Society of Nurses in Genetics (SONG) (2025 - 2025)
- Mary Ellen Edmunds Fellowship, Brigham Young College of Nursing (2022 - 2024)
- Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nursing Faculty , Daisy Foundation & BYU College of Nursing (2022 - 2022)
- Content Expert in Advanced Genetic Nursing – national appointment, chosen by competitive application , American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC) (2014 - 2014)
- Summer Genetics Institute - Fellowship, National Institute of Nursing Research (2012 - 2012)
Memberships
- International Society of Nursing in Genetics (2010 - Present)
- American Association of Colleges of Nursing (2005 - Present)
- American Nurses' Association (2005 - Present)
- National League for Nursing (2005 - Present)
- Phi Kappa Phi (1996 - Present)
- Western Institute of Nursing (2009 - 2023)
Professional Citizenship
- Board Member, Nurses Portfolio Credentialing Commission (NPCC) (2021 - Present)
- Board Member, Inter Society Coordinating Committee for Practitioner Education in Genomics (ISCC-PEG) (2021 - Present)
- Board Member, Society for Simulation in Healthcare (2020 - Present)
- Officer, Phi Kappa Phi - BYU Chapter (2020 - Present)
- Committee/Council Chair, International Society of Nurses in Genetics (2020 - Present)
- Committee/Council Member, International Society of Nursing in Genetics (2016 - Present)
- Member, Western Institute of Nursing (2009 - Present)
- Member, American Association of Colleges of Nursing (2005 - Present)
- Member, American Nurses' Association (2005 - Present)
- Member, National League for Nursing (2005 - Present)
- Member, Phi Kappa Phi (1996 - Present)
- Officer (specify in Other), Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society - BYU Chapter (2019 - 2020)