Heather Gable, D.N.P., LNHA, CNE, NEA-BC

With over 25 years of nursing experience, Heather Gable is leading McDaniel’s inaugural cohort in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.), who she hopes to empower to make a difference in the lives of others. “I never imagined I would be so fortunate to spend every day doing what I love: connecting with students and helping to educate the next generation of nurses. That is an impact much more significant than I could have ever imagined,” she says. Gable holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice, M.S. in Nursing Administration, and B.S.N., all from the School of Nursing at the University of Maryland, Baltimore.

I was attracted to the field of nursing for many reasons. I grew up with an appreciation for the discipline because my mom is a nurse. She always had an amazing passion for nursing that was infectious. While that experience positively framed my view of the nursing discipline, I chose to pursue nursing for the diverse career opportunities, lifelong learning, professional growth, the potential to have both a domestic and global impact within the field, the respect and trust of the public, and the personal fulfillment. I specialize in nursing leadership, administration, and education, where I draw on my extensive experience to guide students in developing their practical skills, clinical judgment, and leadership capabilities.

Over the years, my journey naturally progressed from clinical practice to leadership roles, where I could influence the quality of care on a broader scale. This transition sparked my interest in nursing education. I never imagined I would be so fortunate to spend every day doing what I love: connecting with students and helping to educate the next generation of nurses. That is an impact much more significant than I could have ever imagined.

I came to McDaniel after serving as dean at Centra College in Lynchburg, Virginia, which had four distinct nursing programs. I have over 25 years of experience as a staff nurse in both long-term and acute care, as charge nurse, registered nurse assessment coordinator, staff development coordinator, assistant director of nursing, quality assurance coordinator, nursing home administrator, consultant for a long-term care rehabilitation vendor, co-founder of Align Nursing Education, and tenured associate professor and department chair at Frostburg State University for 11 years.

I gained management and leadership experience as an assistant director of nursing and nursing home administrator at two facilities in Cumberland and Frostburg, Maryland, and almost 15 years in academic nursing leadership in Maryland and Virginia. My teaching experience stems from teaching clinically at the associate degree level and face-to-face and online courses in the four-year university setting in undergraduate and graduate courses. I developed curricula, initiated and maintained accreditation, mentored students, and contributed to advancing nursing education.

McDaniel College’s commitment to excellence and inclusivity, as well as its core mission, resonates deeply with my values and dedication to creating an enriching and supportive student-centered learning environment. As both a science and an art, nursing demands critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and a profound understanding of the human experience.

McDaniel’s focus on interdisciplinary learning and its supportive, close-knit community makes it the perfect place for me to establish and lead a new B.S.N. program. The opportunity to develop and accredit another Nursing program in Maryland within an institution that promotes and encourages innovation and collaboration was an opportunity I could not refuse. The prospect of creating something from the ground up, shaping a program that blends liberal arts with rigorous Nursing education, was genuinely inspiring.

I hope that students leave my classes with a strong sense of professional identity and a deep commitment to patient-centered care. I want them to understand that nursing is not just a job but a profession that requires empathy, integrity, and lifelong learning. I emphasize the importance of critical thinking, evidence-based practice, and the need to approach each patient with compassion and respect. Additionally, I hope they take away the lesson that leadership in nursing starts at the bedside, where they can advocate for their patients and contribute to improving health care systems. Above all, I want my students to feel empowered to make a difference in the lives of others, whether at the bedside, in leadership roles, or as educators themselves.