Faculty

Veronica B. Decker, associate professor in the University of Central Florida College of Nursing, is a board-certified psychiatric mental health clinical nurse specialist with more than four decades of experience in clinical practice, leadership, education and research. Decker’s scholarship focuses on mental health, behavioral interventions and quality of life among individuals facing complex health challenges. Her work has examined depression, psychosocial factors that influence health outcomes, symptom management, treatment adherence and the translation of evidence-based interventions into practice. More recently, her research has expanded to include older adults and the psychological, behavioral and spiritual factors that influence well-being in later life, including depression, fear of falling, resilience, mindfulness, meaning, spirituality and quality of life. She is passionate about preparing future nurse leaders and advancing whole-person care that addresses the biological, psychological, social and spiritual dimensions of health.

Education

• DNP, Wayne State University
• MBA in Business, University of Notre Dame
• MS in Psychology, Winona State University
• BSN, College of St. Teresa

Selected Editorial Activities

• Reviewer, Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services
• Reviewer, Issues in Mental Health Nursing
• Co-Editor, Frontiers, Reality-Virtuality Technologies for Mental Health and Wellness Research Topic

Selected Awards & Honors

• Distinguished Fellow, National Academies of Practice, 2021
• Nursing Innovation and Creativity Icon Award, Florida Nurses Association, 2019

Selected Professional Activities

• Mental Health Representative, ENGAGE Initiative
• Southern Nursing Research Society
• Florida Organization of Nursing Executives
• American Organization of Nursing Executives
• American Psychosocial Oncology Society