About Me
Sarah Heafner is a dedicated nursing professional and clinical educator with a strong passion for nursing education, professional development, and evidence-based practice. She has six years of clinical nursing experience in acute care, including experience at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital and Atrium Health Union, where she has cared for patients across medical-surgical and observation settings.
Sarah currently serves as a Clinical Instructor at Cabarrus College of Health Sciences, where she supports nursing students in developing clinical judgment, critical-thinking skills, patient-care competencies, and confidence in the clinical environment. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes creating a supportive learning environment that encourages students to connect classroom knowledge with real-world clinical practice while promoting safe, compassionate, and evidence-based patient care.
Sarah earned her Associate in Arts from Stanly Community College and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Catawba College. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in Nursing Education at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Through her graduate studies and practicum experiences, she has developed a strong interest in educational innovation, curriculum development, evaluation, and improving patient outcomes through effective nursing education.
As an emerging nurse educator, Sarah is committed to preparing the next generation of nurses through engaging, evidence-based educational experiences. Her professional interests include clinical education, nursing orientation, symptom management, patient safety, and the development of innovative educational strategies that promote competence and confidence among nurses and nursing students. She is passionate about lifelong learning and believes that effective nursing education plays an essential role in improving both nursing practice and patient outcomes.