Geraldine “Jeri” Fitzgerald brings over 20 years of nursing experience to College of the Redwoods, where her journey first began as a student. After earning her RN license in 2004, she built a career across a variety of specialties, with her passion and expertise centered in obstetrics and reproductive healthcare. She returned to CR in 2018 as a part-time and clinical instructor and this fall transitioned into a full-time role as Assistant Professor of Nursing.
Jeri’s teaching style is dynamic and interactive, designed to help students grow in both confidence and competence. She incorporates real-life scenarios, simulations, and collaborative activities, guiding students through an “I Do, We Do, You Do” approach that gradually shifts responsibility and fosters independence. She also emphasizes lifelong learning, reminding students that healthcare is constantly evolving and that adaptability is key to success in the nursing profession.
For Jeri, the greatest reward of teaching at CR is helping shape the next generation of nurses while giving back to the college that helped shape her own career. “As a nurse educator, I don’t just share knowledge; I help change the world, one student at a time,” she says. This fall she is teaching first-semester students in the Vocational Nursing Program, and in the spring she will guide Registered Nursing students through obstetrics.