Jeri D
Vassar
May 2026
Jeri D
Vassar
,
BSN, RN, PMH-BC
Wichita Falls State Hospital
Wichita Falls
,
TX
United States
Jeri’s role as the Nurse Educator is crucial to the success of each employee in the nursing department, which in turn affects the quality of care provided to the individuals served.
Jeri Vassar, BSN, RN, PMH-BC, has been the Nurse Educator at Wichita Falls State Hospital, previously North Texas State Hospital, which had a total of 3 campuses almost 50 miles apart, since November 2020. She has elevated the nursing education department, supporting a competent workforce across all 3 campuses. When NTSH split in September 2025, Jeri continued to provide Nursing Education and assistance to the 2 other campuses while a Nurse Educator was being sought out and hired. She not only provides training and education to RNs, LVNs, and PNAs, but also to Licensed Providers, Pharmacy staff, and others who have sought to be educated on specific processes and practices of the nursing/medical profession.
Jeri has revamped and improved the training of all Nursing personnel by instituting the campus-wide annual Nursing and PNA Skills Fairs. She has advocated for and continues to advocate for educational materials and tools to make the learning environment more conducive and enjoyable, so that nurses can retain the information they are taught. She recently (Fall of 2025) advocated for the department to move to a new location so that a SIMS lab could be created to support ongoing training and return demonstration. The department's prior location did not support this type of learning environment or its possibilities. She provides “Just in time” training as requested and utilizes an evidence-based practice platform to ensure nurses are trained in the latest best practices.
Jeri has played a pivotal role in shaping the nursing workforce at WFSH, not only with her expertise and knowledge, but also with recruitment and retention efforts. She has fostered and secured working relationships and clinical rotation agreements with 5 nursing schools to educate future nurses in the field of Behavioral Health. She recently worked to start weekend clinicals for one of the colleges.
Jeri was a key component in the successful creation and initiation of the Ketamine (Spravato) policy and procedure project, which began in the fall of 2023. Through research and collaboration with another state hospital and the WFSH Clinical Leadership Team, the hospital saw its first individual receive Ketamine treatment in August of 2025. This was a huge feat to bring a new treatment modality to the hospital, and Jeri was instrumental in this process.
Jeri is an active member of the Nurse Executive Leadership Council at WFSH. She is the chair of the Nursing Policy Review Team and the hospital’s Wellness Committee.
Jeri’s role as the Nurse Educator is crucial to the success of each employee in the nursing department, which in turn affects the quality of care provided to the individuals served. She makes a huge impact, and her exceptional contributions to the Nursing Profession should be commended.
Jeri has revamped and improved the training of all Nursing personnel by instituting the campus-wide annual Nursing and PNA Skills Fairs. She has advocated for and continues to advocate for educational materials and tools to make the learning environment more conducive and enjoyable, so that nurses can retain the information they are taught. She recently (Fall of 2025) advocated for the department to move to a new location so that a SIMS lab could be created to support ongoing training and return demonstration. The department's prior location did not support this type of learning environment or its possibilities. She provides “Just in time” training as requested and utilizes an evidence-based practice platform to ensure nurses are trained in the latest best practices.
Jeri has played a pivotal role in shaping the nursing workforce at WFSH, not only with her expertise and knowledge, but also with recruitment and retention efforts. She has fostered and secured working relationships and clinical rotation agreements with 5 nursing schools to educate future nurses in the field of Behavioral Health. She recently worked to start weekend clinicals for one of the colleges.
Jeri was a key component in the successful creation and initiation of the Ketamine (Spravato) policy and procedure project, which began in the fall of 2023. Through research and collaboration with another state hospital and the WFSH Clinical Leadership Team, the hospital saw its first individual receive Ketamine treatment in August of 2025. This was a huge feat to bring a new treatment modality to the hospital, and Jeri was instrumental in this process.
Jeri is an active member of the Nurse Executive Leadership Council at WFSH. She is the chair of the Nursing Policy Review Team and the hospital’s Wellness Committee.
Jeri’s role as the Nurse Educator is crucial to the success of each employee in the nursing department, which in turn affects the quality of care provided to the individuals served. She makes a huge impact, and her exceptional contributions to the Nursing Profession should be commended.