Heather Venrick, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, RN is an Assistant Clinical Professor at Emory University’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing. She is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and holds advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) licensure.

Dr. Venrick earned both her Doctor of Nursing Practice and Master of Science in Nursing degrees from Vanderbilt University, specializing as a Family Nurse Practitioner. She also holds an Associate of Science in Nursing from Cabarrus College of Health Sciences and a Bachelor of Arts in Exercise and Sport Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

With a diverse professional background spanning education, healthcare, and physical activity, Dr. Venrick brings a unique interdisciplinary perspective to nursing education. Her experience includes teaching high school science, coaching athletics, and working as a registered nurse and pharmacy technician. After five years in nursing practice and a decade in related fields, she transitioned into full-time nursing education in 2018.

Before joining Emory, Dr. Venrick served as a faculty member at Appalachian State University, where she taught across BSN, RN-to-BSN, and MSN programs. Her interdisciplinary background—including prior experience in secondary science education, sports coaching, pharmacy, and direct patient care—provides a broad foundation for her academic endeavors. She remains committed to mentoring future nurse practitioners and contributing to the advancement of nursing scholarship through teaching, practice, and research.

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Venrick, H. W., McClure, N., & Hande, K. (2020). Leveraging school nurse expertise to meet children’s health and nutrition needs in afterschool programs. NASN School Nurse, 35(1), 15–17. https://doi.org/10.1177/1942602X19874490

Towner, B. C., Venrick, H.W., Broce, R., Christiana, R. W., Battista, R. A., James, J. J. (2021) Got nature? An interdisciplinary approach to promoting healthy outdoor play and exercise, The Journal of the Blue Cross NC Institute for Health & Human Services: Sustainable Health. Appalachian State University. V. 1, March 23, 2021. NC

Bias, T., Daily, S., Abildso, C., Venrick, H., Shay, E., Moyers, S., Hege, A., Haas, V., Dyer, A., Broce, R. Christiana, R. (2021). Systematic observation of physical distancing behaviors of trail users during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Healthy Eating and Active Living. V. 1 (3): 111-116. https://doi.org/10.51250/jheal.v1i3.19

James, J.J., Towner, B.C., Venrick, H.W., Broce, R., Christiana, R.W. & Battista, R.A. (2022) The HOPE Lab: An interprofessional approach to researching and promoting Healthy Outdoor Play and Exercise. In J. H. Hironaka-Juteau & S. V. Lankford (Eds.), Interprofessional Collaboration in Parks, Recreation and Human Services: Theory and Cases (pp.75-84) Sagamore

Christiana, R. W., Daily, S. M., Bias, T. K., Haas, V., Dyer, A. M., Shay, E., Hege, A., Broce, R., Venrick, H., & Abildso, C. G. (2022). Effectiveness of a point-of-decision prompt to encourage physical distancing on greenways and rail-trails during the COVID-19 pandemic. Environment and Behavior, 54(6), 951-970. https://doi.org/10.1177/00139165221114897.

Christiana RW, Urroz J, & Venrick HW. (2023) Evaluation of a nature prescription program inschools to increase nature-based physical activity and time spent outdoors: Implementation of the Kids in Parks TRACK Rx Program by the school nurse. The Journal of School Nursing. 2023;0(0). doi:10.1177/10598405231195566

Dr. Venrick’s teaching philosophy is grounded in Constructivist Theory, emphasizing active, inclusive, and experience-based learning. With a diverse background in healthcare and education, she fosters rigorous yet supportive learning environments that connect classroom knowledge to real-world clinical practice. She is committed to developing future nurse practitioners who are confident, compassionate, and prepared to lead in today’s healthcare landscape.

Dr. Venrick’s research focuses on interprofessional education and collaborative approaches to promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors. Her work explores the impact of teamwork-based initiatives on healthy eating, physical activity, and the benefits of outdoor engagement, particularly through interdisciplinary partnerships in healthcare and community settings.

Beaver College of Health Sciences 2021 Interprofessional Champion Award as a member of the HOPE LAB - https://hopelab.appstate.edu/about