Dr. Deven McCart is a registered nurse and Teaching Assistant Professor with more than 10 years of experience across diverse healthcare settings, including undergraduate nursing education, hospice and end-of-life care, perioperative nursing, medical-surgical nursing, and oncology. Her journey in healthcare began before her nursing career. As a young professional, she worked as a licensed optician for more than 10 years, building a strong foundation in patient care, communication, clinical service, and healthcare operations. After several years in the optical profession, Dr. McCart pursued nursing as an adult student, embarking on a new professional path driven by her desire to expand her role in patient care and make a broader impact on others’ health and well-being.
Starting nursing school as an adult gave Dr. McCart valuable insights into learning, professional development, and the challenges of returning to higher education. Her experience as a non-traditional student shapes her teaching style, helping her connect with students from diverse backgrounds and supporting those undergoing significant academic or career transitions.
She began her clinical career in acute care and later expanded her practice to include perioperative, medical-surgical, oncology, and hospice care. Throughout her clinical and academic career, she has developed expertise in patient safety, quality improvement, interdisciplinary collaboration, evidence-based practice, and healthcare workforce well-being.