Dr. Tese Stephens has more than 33 years of nursing experience in both clinical and academic settings. She is an Associate Professor at the Medical University of South Carolina and is the author of Stephens’ Model of Resilience and the founder of RN P.R.E.P. (Personal Resilience Enhancement Plan). Her work is focused in RESILIENCE, specifically as a tool to address and prevent burnout in clinicians. Much of her work in resilience is built upon the narratives of Holocaust survivors.

Dr. Stephens is recognized as a leader in nursing education and research, specifically in the areas of workplace culture, faculty development, student success and engagement, and best practices in online learning. She is a Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) and an active member of several professional organizations, including Sigma Theta Tau, NLN, ANA, and SNRS. She serves on the advisory board for the Vantage Point Foundation and the Holocaust Education Film Foundation and is a member of various task forces and work groups and serves as a nursing education consultant for NurseTim, Inc. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from East Tennessee State University, her Masters of Science in Nursing from King College, a post-master's certificate in nursing education from the University of Tennessee, and her Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing from the University of Tennessee. Dr. Stephens is the author of several publications and book chapters, and she is a frequent presenter at regional, national, and international conferences and workshops.