Andrea Simek

Instructor

CB 118
simek@augsburg.edu

Dr Andrea Simek started her nursing journey as an Associate Degree nurse in 2002. Since then, she has worked as a registered nurse and advanced practice nurse in inpatient and outpatient settings across the lifespan of rural community settings. As a lifelong learner, Dr Simek has always had a deep appreciation for higher education and found that as a nurse educator, she could make a meaningful impact on the nursing workforce. She has served as a professor in associate degree, baccalaureate, masters, and doctorate nursing programs and as an administrator while serving as the Dean of Nursing at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College from 2019-2023. The primary focus of her professional nursing career has been addressing and educating about health disparities in underserved and marginalized communities. Dr Simek has led successful initial and continuing accreditation efforts and developed a nursing curriculum with a focus on social justice, health equity, and cultural safety. In this work she has found a dual purpose in addressing inequities both in health care and health education.

Dr Simek is currently a Nurse Practitioner for the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa at the Nett Lake and Vermillion clinics in rural northern Minnesota. Throughout her work, Dr. Simek aims to develop inclusive teams that intentionally and collaboratively serve the community and develop the healthcare leaders of tomorrow.

Education

  • DNP The College of St Scholastica, Advanced Practice Nursing (2017)
  • MSN The College of St Scholastica, Family Nurse Practitioner (2010)
  • BSN The College of St Scholastica (2008)
  • ADN Hibbing Community College (2002)

Areas Of Teaching Responsibility

  • Primary Care theory, clinical and simulation
  • Advanced Health Assessment
  • Epidemiology
  • Cultural Safety
  • Rural and Tribal health
  • Rural and remote clinical immersions
  • Health Promotion and Lifestyle Medicine
  • Doctoral Project Reader

Presentations/Publications

Indigenous Pathways to Resilience, Belonging and Self-Care – Summer 2023

Biannual Conference, Bemidji State University

Podium Presentation: Cultural Safety

Health Educators Conference – Spring 2023

Annual Conference, Rochester, Minnesota

Podium Presentation: Increasing Nursing Workforce Diversity: An Upstream Approach

Association of Community Nurse Educators – Summer 2018

Annual Institute,  New Orleans, LA

Podium Presentation: Community Clinical Engagement Model

Current Certifications

  • American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC) Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Minnesota Board of Nursing – Advanced Practice Nurse
  • Minnesota Board of Nursing – Public Health Nurse