College of Nursing
Education
M.S. in Nursing - University of Phoenix, AZ
B.S. in Nursing - Indiana University East, IN
About Billie Gabbard
Billie began her career in nursing in 1989 as a certified nursing assistant. Since then, Billie has pursued her educational goals by completing a Practical Nursing program, an Associate of Science in Nursing, Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing, and a Master's of Science in Nursing. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Higher Education Leadership. Billie's work experience includes such roles as staff nurse, charge nurse, Director of Nursing, nursing faculty in PN and ADN programs, Nursing Program Director, and currently, an Associate Dean of Nursing Programs at a Community College. Billie is in her thirteenth year in higher education, and has been an adjunct faculty member for Grand Canyon University for 6 years. Billie is married and enjoys traveling and cooking.
How has facilitating online courses at GCU helped you find your purpose?
GCU provides me with the opportunity to engage with students. This opportunity ultimately fulfills my purpose of impacting nursing by allowing me to facilitate and support the future educational advancement of nurses. GCU helps me to support my purpose by allowing me to keep the student at the center of what I do.
What is one effective teaching strategy you use in your online classes?
I try to provide students with "Tips of the Day" or "Thoughts to Ponder." Tips of the Day provide students with insight into their assignments for further clarification. The Tips of the Day provide bits of wisdom gained through experiences with other students that may help to clear up a muddy point. I use Thoughts to Ponder as a way to get students to think more in depth or from a different perspective about a specific topic or concept. It is a "Hey, have you considered this?" approach to deeper discussion.
What is a GCU online student success story you can share?
I would like to think all students I have had are a success story in their own way. These individuals, however, are not a success because of me, but rather because they were willing to put forth the effort in meeting their educational goals. I was, and am, fortunate enough to be a small part of their educational journey.
