About

Stacey Mitchell is associated with the Texas A&M Health Center of Excellence in Forensic Nursing, which is the leader in forensic nursing research, outreach, and education. The center, approved by the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents in 2019, is the state's first federally funded center dedicated to advancing forensic nursing education, research, and outreach. The center focuses on translating evidence-based research into practice, supporting sexual assault nurse examiners, and increasing access to trauma-informed care for victims and perpetrators of intentional violence. Its mission is to improve health outcomes for those affected by violence and disaster through interdisciplinary, trauma-informed strategies, research, academic programs, continuing education, and outreach. The center aims to educate nurses to provide high-quality care, collaborate with stakeholders, advance forensic nursing knowledge, and develop forensic nurse leaders with graduate education.

Research topics

• Nursing
• Medicine
• Psychology
• Medical education
• Business

Selected publications

• Primary Care <i>in</i> Advanced Practice Nursing

  2026-02-01

  book
  PublisherDOI

• Building a Virtual Community of Practice for Novice and Advanced Forensics Nurses

  Journal of the Academy of Forensic Nursing · 2025-04-16

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  This article addresses the contemporary issue of establishing a virtual Community of Practice (CoP) for novice and advanced forensic nurses, emphasizing knowledge exchange and professional growth. The central issue identified is the need for a structured and supportive environment for forensic nurses to continuously develop their skills and share expertise. Historical factors, such as the evolution of the CoP concept from social learning research in the 1980s, demonstrate the longstanding value of collaborative professional development. Social factors highlight the unique and diverse skill set required in forensic nursing and the challenges of professional isolation. Political factors include legislative changes and policy fragmentation that impact the availability of resources and support for forensic nursing practices. Economic factors underscore the inadequate funding allocations that limit forensic nurses’ ability to provide essential services and pursue continuous professional development. The potential impacts of CoPs on individual nurses, forensic nursing organizations, and society are explored. Recommendations for developing a robust virtual CoP are provided, emphasizing mentorship, continuous learning, inclusivity, and regular evaluation, incorporating insights from stakeholders to ensure effectiveness and sustainability.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Valid and Reliable Attitude Scales for Measuring Clinician’s Attitudes Towards Telehealth Assisted Sexual Assault Forensic Exams Using a Pre-Post Survey

  INQUIRY The Journal of Health Care Organization Provision and Financing · 2025-04-19

  articleOpen access

  The success of telehealth programs to guide clinicians to perform sexual assault medical forensic examinations relies on clinicians’ positive attitudes toward telehealth services, though no validated tools to measure these variables exist. This study aims to report validity and reliability of a novel tool with two scales: Positive Beliefs and Acceptance scales for hospital nurse clinicians at sites initiating the Texas Teleforensic Remote Assistance Center (Tex-TRAC). An analysis of pre-post cross-sectional data of hospital nurse clinicians (N = 121) trained in the use of Tex-TRAC telehealth technology at seven participating hospitals in Texas from July 2022 to May 2023 was performed. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) measure of sampling adequacy and Bartlett’s test of Sphericity sample size analysis were performed. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was applied for validity and internal consistency reliability Cronbach alpha (α) values were described for two scales: Positive Beliefs and Acceptance scales. Positive Beliefs scale has a KMO value of 0.810 and Barlett’s test of sphericity (χ 2 (6) = 380.47, P &lt; .001). Acceptance scale has a KMO value of 0.832 and Barlett’s test of sphericity (χ 2 (28) = 432.19, P &lt; .001). After Promax Oblique rotation, the final four-item Positive Beliefs scale had α = .894; the final five-item Acceptance scale had α = .876. Validity and reliability of both scales demonstrated potential usefulness for future telehealth interventions engaging Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners. Continued use of these scales could provide additional information that can be leveraged in training curriculum of similar telehealth programs like Tex-TRAC.

  PublisherDOI

• Labor trafficking of migrant registered nurses

  Nursing Outlook · 2024-08-07 · 2 citations

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Enhancing Mental Health Assessment for Non-Fatal Strangulation in Clients with a History of Intimate Partner Violence

  Issues in Mental Health Nursing · 2024-10-24 · 1 citations

  article

  Intimate partner violence (IPV) against women is widely recognized as a significant global problem, a major public health issue in the United States, and one of the most widespread violations of human rights. Recent research has noted that non-fatal strangulation (NFS) has been a significantly overlooked indicator and by-product for victims of IPV and often may be undisclosed or can be confounded with other mental health symptoms; for example, those that are common with conditions seen in psychiatric facilities. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and nonfatal strangulation are often unrecognized forms of IPV and can lead to significant short and long-term neurologic sequelae. It is possible that some mental health disturbances and anxiety symptoms may be better explained as a medical consequence of TBI and repeated NFS-or a signal of homeostatic disruption. In such cases, providing psychopharmacological treatment might help the patient with the symptoms, but will not address the underlying cause. This reinforces the critical need for mental health nurses to not only assess for IPV, but simultaneously screen for TBI-related neurological disorders and injuries, including recent and/or past unconsciousness, and facilitate linkage to IPV interventions and mental health treatment.

  PublisherDOI

• Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Education Needs in Texas

  Journal of Forensic Nursing · 2023-03-30 · 6 citations

  articleSenior author

  ABSTRACT: Background: As with many areas of the nation, Texas lacks a robust sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) workforce. A program in Texas offers courses to educate and expand SANE skills to better provide trauma-informed care to vulnerable populations. Methods: A survey to stakeholders of a SANE educational program, as part of a planned program evaluation, elicited not only barriers to providing care but also specific program needs to better expand access to sexual assault and domestic violence medical forensic examinations in Texas. Results: In January 2022, a total of 40 stakeholders, all registered nurses in the state of Texas, provided vital information on their current program. Analysis of written survey responses provided themes regarding barriers to providing SANE care and suggestions for expanded education. Discussion: The survey provided valuable feedback and comments on the perceptions of the current SANE program. Written responses offered direction for additional learning desires of SANEs associated with the program as well as areas for the program to expand to meet the needs of the learners. This stakeholder guidance has implications beyond this one SANE education program to enhance and expand other programs based on learner needs.

  PublisherDOI

• Technology, Collaboration, and Learning: Perceptions and Effectiveness of US Public Library Staff Professional Development

  Library Leadership & Management · 2019-06-13 · 3 citations

  articleOpen access

  The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the preferences and perceptions of professional development (PD) activities for public library staff. The survey instrument was distributed to public librarians and paraprofessionals throughout the United States. Beyond the challenges of time and money, a picture emerged from the data of what might best serve the needs of librarians and paraprofessionals for PD. Staff want to feel encouraged and supported about learning for their jobs. The chance to network and meet in groups is preferred by most respondents with short webinars and online learning filling in the gaps, especially if content goes beyond the usual introductory level. From these findings, it is possible to suggest three “action plans” for improving PD for public library professionals and paraprofessionals. These plans include: developing structured and supported PD programs as part of public library administration, promoting a culture of learning throughout the institution, and participating in and contributing to state and regional opportunities for PD of public library staff.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Policy brief on the nursing response to human trafficking

  Nursing Outlook · 2018-06-28 · 16 citations

  article
  PublisherDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Laurie Charles

  Oakland University

  10 shared

• Nancy R. Downing

  Texas A&M University School of Law

  9 shared

• Rosario V. Sanchez

  University of Toledo

  3 shared

• Patricia M. Speck

  3 shared

• Rachell A. Ekroos

  3 shared

• DeAnne K. Hilfinger Messias

  University of South Carolina

  2 shared

• Anne-Laure Janson

  1 shared

• Jeri A. Milstead

  University of Toledo

  1 shared

Awards & honors

• Bronze Medalist, Good Samaritan Foundation, September 2018
• Women of Distinction Award. Honored by The Bridge Over Troub…
• Virginia A. Lynch Pioneer in Forensic Nursing. Honored by In…
• Top 20 Outstanding Nurses. Honored by Texas Nurses’ Associat…
• Professional of the Year, 2014. Honored by Child Advocates o…