Sarah Tarr

Biography

Sarah joined the Belmont faculty as a full-time adjunct instructor in the fall of 2010.  She teaches in both laboratory and clinical settings in undergraduate Health Assessment and Adult Health Nursing courses.

Sarah’s practice experience is in the field of adult health, specifically oncology. She began her nursing career as a staff nurse on an inpatient step-down unit at Duke University Hospital caring for patients with hematological malignancies. Her passion for the oncology population motivated her to obtain certification as an Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN). While continuing to work as an oncology nurse, Sarah completed a Master’s in Nursing Education at Duke University.  In addition, she served as a part-time clinical instructor for the Duke University School of Nursing. Sarah has also practiced nursing locally on a PRN basis as a staff nurse on a medical-surgical oncology unit at St. Thomas Midtown Hospital in Nashville.

A personal note from Sarah. . . . .

I knew from a young age that I wanted to be either a nurse or a teacher. I feel so blessed that God has given me the opportunity to be both!  My mother has been an oncology nurse for thirty years, and she has influenced me and encouraged me greatly throughout my nursing journey.

While at Duke my passion for oncology patients led me to chair an evidence-based practice initiative to change a policy that myself and other staff felt was negatively impacting the quality of life for our patients. The efforts of our all who participated in this initiative allowed me the opportunity to present our work at the Oncology Nursing Society’s 34th annual Congress in 2009. Our work constantly reminds me of the role nurses can play in affecting changes in patient care.

I am passionate about not only nursing but also nursing education. In addition to my interests in providing holistic and quality care to oncology patients, I have a growing interest in the role of simulation in the education of student nurses and the continuing education of nurses in practice.

I view nursing as an amazing mission field in which I have had the opportunity to not only impact the lives of others but to also be impacted in return.

Outside of my professional work, I enjoy spending time with my husband and our son. I enjoy reading, cooking, and sewing.