Pleshkan Victoriya

About

Dr. Pleshkan joined the faculty of the Loewenberg College of Nursing in 2019. Originally from Moldova, she earned her first nursing degree from the College of Nursing in Moldova before continuing her studies in the United States. Practicing nursing in two countries has provided her with a broad, multicultural perspective on healthcare delivery and nursing education, deepening her understanding of how culture influences patient care and professional practice. She began her career at an infertility clinic in Moldova, where she practiced for four years, supporting women facing complex reproductive health challenges. After moving to the United States, she completed her Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees at Indiana University–Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW) in 2000 and 2003, respectively. She later earned her Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) degree from the University of Saint Francis (USF) in Indiana, gaining extensive clinical experience in pain management, occupational health, primary care, women’s health, and ambulatory care. She went on to earn her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with a focus on higher education, along with a master’s certificate in Online Higher Education. Dr. Pleshkan's research focuses on advanced practice nursing workforce development and the transition of the nurse practitioner (NP) role. She developed and published an NP preceptorship model designed to strengthen mentorship and support for NP students and early-career practitioners. Her most recent study examined how NP students cultivate professional autonomy as they enter practice, highlighting the value of interprofessional education (IPE) as a catalyst for successful transition. Her work has demonstrated that integrating interprofessional learning experiences into nursing education programs enhances the confidence and readiness of nurse practitioner students for clinical roles. In collaboration with the University of Memphis' Department of Nutrition Sciences, she created interprofessional partnership opportunities to prepare both advanced practice nursing and nutrition students for collaborative practice. Dr. Pleshkan is also deeply dedicated to advancing Lifestyle Medicine within nursing education. She advocates for the integration of evidence-based lifestyle interventions into curricula to equip future nurses with practical tools for managing chronic conditions and promoting holistic, patient-centered care. By incorporating these principles, she aims to ensure that nursing graduates are not only clinically competent but also poised to drive transformative change in the ever-evolving healthcare landscape.