Director of Nursing
Dr. Janet Atarthi-Dugan CCRN-E, CNE is a nurse educator with 19+ years of experience as a nurse and nurse educator. Her career has encompassed practice as a critical care nurse and unit educator, a clinical instructor at Northern Virginia Community College, nursing faculty at Stratford University and the University of Mary Washington. Dr. Atarthi-Dugan’s commitment to education stems from the belief that the advancement of professional nursing is achieved through lifelong learning and a commitment to evidence-informed practice.
“As healthcare continues to evolve and become more complex, nurses need to be prepared to assume expanded roles,” she said. “Nurses are in a unique position to advocate for changes that extend beyond the bedside and positively impact outcomes for patient populations instead of individuals.”
Dr. Atarthi-Dugan began her career as a Hospital Corpsman in the US Navy. Following a six-year enlistment, she pursued her Bachelor’s degree in Nursing (BSN) from the University of San Francisco. She has continued her education with a Master’s degree in Nursing (MSN) from George Mason University and a Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP) from Saint Francis College of Nursing. Her experience as an adult learner influences the student-centered approach that is the hallmark of the BSN Completion (BSN-C) program at the University of Mary Washington.
“Nurses, who often work rotating shifts or erratic hours, need a program that meets their needs and allows for a work-life balance. We strive to be flexible and allow our students to attend either full time or part-time.”
Along with the higher-level nursing courses, the curriculum includes courses that allows nurses to make connections between their everyday situations and the liberal arts disciplines. Courses include writing arts, medical ethics, and higher-level sociology/psychology courses.
Dr. Atarthi-Dugan lives in Northern Virginia with her husband, two children, and a rescue cat named Bailey. In her free time, she enjoys reading, watching football (GO Niners!), and traveling.
For more information about the program, please contact the nursing program at BSNprogram@umw.edu.