Dr. Edna Aurelus is an associate professor at Wagner College and is also an alumna. Dr. Aurelus completed her doctorate in advanced nursing practice at Arizona State University and a post-doctorate degree in psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. Dr. Aurelus is dual-board certified from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) as a family nurse practitioner and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. Dr. Aurelus’ extensive experience in psychiatry includes the old St. Vincent Hospital now known as Richmond University Medical Center (RUMC), South Beach Psychiatric Center, Banner Behavioral Health Hospital and Perryville Prison, the only state female prison in Arizona. She is currently the lead professor for the psychiatric nursing course at Wagner College. She is the author of multiple peer-reviewed articles and has adopted the concept of psychological safety and empathy in her classroom to encourage students to participate in class discussion without any fear given how stressful and traumatic experiences can affect learning.
