---
title: "Professor Wallace: A Decade of Dedication in Nursing and Beyond"
url: "https://arizonacollege.edu/blog/professor-wallace-a-decade-of-nursing/"
type: post
date_published: 2026-09-21
date_modified: 2026-09-21
schema:
  @type: Article
language: en-US
word_count: 785
reading_time: 4 min
canonical: "https://arizonacollege.edu/blog/professor-wallace-a-decade-of-nursing/"
featured_image: "https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Adrienne-Wallace-at-a-Nursing-School-Graduation.webp"
categories:
  - Nursing School
topic:
  - Nursing
---

# Professor Wallace: A Decade of Dedication in Nursing and Beyond

![Adrienne Wallace at a Nursing School Graduation](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Adrienne-Wallace-at-a-Nursing-School-Graduation.webp)

Adrienne Wallace, DNP, MSN, APRN, CPNP-PC, RN was there when
[Arizona College of Nursing’s (AZCN) Aurora campus](https://arizonacollege.edu/aurora-colorado-nursing-school/)
opened its doors in 2023. In fact, she was the very first faculty member hired.
While her role at the college is pivotal, her journey to AZCN was anything but
typical.

Before ever stepping into a nursing classroom, Wallace spent a decade as a
funeral director and embalmer in the Tampa Bay area. Initially, she was drawn to
forensics after the CSI boom of the mid-2000s. This led her to a fulfilling, yet
eventually stagnant, career in funeral services.

“I just stopped learning,” she reflects, describing a burnout not from patient
care, but from the emotional intensity of family care and a lack of continued
professional growth. With the unwavering support of her husband and family, she
made the bold decision to
[dive into some type of medical career](https://arizonacollege.edu/answers/what-nursing-jobs-can-i-get-with-a-bachelors-degree-in-nursing/)
, where nursing quickly emerged as the clear path.

“I said I’m doing it, but I’m not stopping until I’m Doctor Wallace.” For 10
years, she dedicated herself to her education, earning her RN, an accelerated
BSN, her master’s as a nurse practitioner, and finally, her Doctor of Nursing
Practice (DNP).

Throughout her education she gained
[diverse clinical experience](https://arizonacollege.edu/accredited-bsn-program/skills-and-science-lab/)
, including everything from Med-Surg and progressive cardiac care to postpartum,
NICU, and a pediatric primary care office. Her DNP project focused on vital
newborn and infant safe sleep education, displaying her deep commitment to
pediatric health.

## Building a Campus and Nurturing Students

Joining AZCN Aurora meant helping to build a program from the ground up. Wallace
quickly became an important influence on this mission. In the initial phases of
the college’s development, it was just her and one other faculty member.

“In that first semester, I taught Health Assessment, I helped with Foundations,
[and] we both did clinicals for Foundations,” she recounts.

Her expertise then expanded to mental health and her specialty, pediatrics,
where she leverages her background as a pediatric nurse practitioner. She also
serves as a campus mentor for the online program, guiding new faculty through
the virtual classroom.

“I love the campus. I love the students. I know pretty much all of them.”

## Inspiring the Next Generation

Wallace’s current passion now lies in teaching. While she originally envisioned
a full-time nurse practitioner role with part-time education, the roles have
completely reversed.

![Nursing Program Students in a Classroom](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/How-to-Become-a-NICU-Nurse.webp?w=1024)

“I would say my passion right now is teaching.”

The flexibility of her adjunct role at AZCN allows her to prioritize her young
daughter, an invaluable benefit especially after homeschooling during the
COVID-19 pandemic.

Her approach to education is deeply empathetic and personalized as she makes it
a point to
[connect with every student](https://arizonacollege.edu/student-services/).
Wallace works hard to recognize each student’s diverse backgrounds and
struggles.

“I always said I wanted to be the teacher that my students knew
[what to expect when I walked into the classroom](https://arizonacollege.edu/accredited-bsn-program/bsn-program-course-descriptions/)
. Whereas when I went to nursing school, I feared my teacher, and I don’t want
anyone to ever feel like I am there to instill fear in them.”

This personal connection fosters an environment where students feel comfortable
confiding in her, whether they are facing financial strain, juggling single
parenthood, or enduring personal tragedies. She sees them not just as students,
but as “my patients or my kids in some way.”

## DAISY, Nightingale, and 100% NCLEX Pass Rates

Wallace’s impact doesn’t go unnoticed. She was nominated by students for a
prestigious DAISY Award, a recognition established by the DAISY Foundation that
is particularly meaningful for a nurse like Wallace, who spent years working
nights where patient and family interaction is limited. Additionally, the
college honored her with the Nightingale Award.

However, her biggest wins seem to be found in her students’ achievements. She
states that she is incredibly proud to have been part of the first cohort’s
journey, witnessing them graduate. Wallace also celebrates the perseverance of
students who faced early setbacks, like those who failed their first semester
but, with the support of dedicated faculty, are now just one semester away from
graduating.

Wallace’s journey into nursing education highlights just how impactful it can be
when educators often bring a wealth of diverse experiences, a strong commitment
to continuous learning, and empathetic connection to their role.

**Categories:** Nursing School