Tiffany Martell is a proud College of the Redwoods alumna whose nursing career began right after high school. She worked her way from CNA to LVN to RN, later earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Chamberlain University. She is completing her Master’s in Nursing Education at Chamberlain within the next few weeks. Professionally, Tiffany has been an ER nurse at Sutter Coast Hospital for nearly 12 years and has also worked in MCU, ICU float, OB float, skilled nursing, wound care, and hospice. She has served as associate faculty at CR for nearly five years, and this semester she joins the Nursing Program as a full-time faculty member.
Tiffany’s teaching style emphasizes experiential, active learning that integrates real-world scenarios and fosters critical thinking. She values holistic approaches to nursing education, helping students connect knowledge with practice while cultivating compassion and global situational awareness. Her classes are supportive, hands-on environments where students’ diverse experiences contribute to shared learning. Tiffany is especially passionate about expanding the use of simulation in her courses, giving students the opportunity to practice skills and gain confidence in safe, realistic settings.
She believes curiosity, resilience, and empathy are key qualities for nursing students, along with strong communication and adaptability. Tiffany reminds her students that nursing opens doors to countless opportunities—from acute care and community health to leadership, education, and advanced practice roles. At CR, she most enjoys helping students grow into practice-ready nurses who will make a difference in patient care, while also learning from the unique perspectives her students bring to the classroom and clinical settings. This semester, Tiffany is teaching third-semester RN students, and she has previously taught in the CNA program, LVN program, and the N20 Transitions course.