I enjoy discussing Psychiatric Mental Health (PMH) issues with students. Although few students actually choose a career in PMH, the skills we discuss will be useful in all specialty areas. I consider myself a gardener; I plant seeds that I hope will grow into a future career in PMH nursing.
Rebecca Harmon, PhD, PMHCNS-BC
Assistant Professor of Nursing
Office: McLeod 4058
Phone: (434) 924-0216
Email: rbh8a@Virginia.EDU
Fax: (434) 924-2787
Rebecca Harmon is an Assistant Professor of Nursing at the University of Virginia Health School of Nursing. After obtaining a BSN and a Masters in Community Mental Health Nursing from Louisiana State University in New Orleans, she moved to Virginia and began practicing as a clinical nurse specialist at Western State Hospital. Dr. Harmon has been teaching psychiatric mental health nursing to graduate and undergraduate nursing students at the University of Virginia since 1993 and has received the Excellence in Teaching, Innovative Teaching, and Faculty Excellence Awards. She lectures on mental health nursing issues to nursing and community groups, has published articles in professional nursing journals, and was recently named a Hemmings Fellow for sevice in education of new nurses.
Research Focus
History of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Appreciative Inquiry in Nursing
Clinical Focus
Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
Teaching Focus
Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
Awards & Honors
- Jeanette Lancaster Faculty Excellence Award, University of Virginia (2008)
- Innovative Teaching Award, University of Virginia (2006)
- Excellence in Teaching Award, University of Virginia (2005)
- Innovative Teaching Award, University of Virginia (2005)
- Innovative Teaching Award, University of Virginia (2004)
- Sigma Theta Tau Research Dissemination Award, Beta Kappa Chapter Sigma Theta Tau (2003)
Certifications
- Adult Psychiatric Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist, Board Certified (PMH CNS, BC)
Issued by American Nurses Credentialing Center
Valid 2008-2012
Presentations
- The Evolution of Nurse’s Role in Shock Treatments, 1930s-1960s
Agnes Dillion Randolph Inaugural International Nursing History Conference, Charlottesville, Virginia
(Sat, 03 Sep 2011 16:58:00 EDT) - Teaching Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing in China
Sigma Theta Tau International 39th Biennial Convention, Baltimore, Maryland
(Mon, 11 Jun 2007 16:58:00 EDT) - The Water Cure: Hydrotherapy in State Hospitals in the 1950s
American Association for the History of Nursing, Annual Conference, White Plains, New York
(Tue, 09 Jun 2009 16:58:00 EDT) - Teaching Psychiatric Nursing in China
University of Virginia School of Nursing International Lecture Series, Charlottesville, Virginia
(Sat, 09 Sep 2006 16:58:00 EDT) - Recognition and Intervention with Substance Abusing Individuals,
International Society of Psychiatric Mental Health Nurses Annual Conference Denver, Colorado, Presented with Anita Thompson-Heisterman
(Tue, 04 Jul 2006 16:58:00 EDT)
Public Service
- Mental Health Volunteer , Augusta County Regional Free Clinic (2006-)
- Mental Health Volunteer, American Red Cross (1980-)
- Continuing Education Approval Committee, Virginia Nurses Association (1987-)
Professional Service
- Continuing Education Approval Committee, Virginia Nurses Association (1987)