Congratulations to College of Western Idaho (CWI) Nursing Assistant Professor, Joslyn Sciarrino, who has been named Faculty of Distinction for September 2026.
Sciarrino has been part of the CWI community since 2021, where she is in her fifth school year as a full-time faculty member after previously teaching as an adjunct for one year. She primarily teaches Advanced Medical-Surgical Nursing, the final didactic course in the Registered Nursing program, and also helps teach nursing simulation and clinical courses.
For Sciarrino, teaching is an opportunity to help students bring together what they have learned and see themselves become nurses.
“I teach because I love helping students connect the pieces of nursing and watching them grow into confident, capable nurses,” Sciarrino said. “Nursing is a profession that requires both knowledge and critical thinking, but it also requires compassion, confidence, and the ability to care for people during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. I want to help students develop all of those skills.”
That approach comes to life through interactive classroom activities designed to help students understand and apply complex concepts. One faculty member highlighted Sciarrino’s “Endocrine Gauntlet,” which uses a series of group games to help students explore different parts of the endocrine system and apply their nursing knowledge to patient care.
Seeing students gain confidence through experiences like these is one of the most rewarding parts of Sciarrino’s work.
“There is nothing more rewarding than seeing a student go from ‘I don’t think I can do this’ to realizing, ‘I actually can,’” she said.
Sciarrino brings experience as both a nurse practitioner and educator to the classroom. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Lewis-Clark State College, followed by a Master of Science in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner from Gonzaga University and a Post-Master’s Certificate in Nursing Education from Western Governors University.
In addition to teaching, Sciarrino continues to practice as a family nurse practitioner, with a focus on perimenopause, menopause, and other aspects of women’s midlife care. Continuing to work in the profession complements the real-world learning she values for CWI students.
“CWI prepares students for their future by combining strong academics with hands-on, real-world experiences,” Sciarrino said. “Students develop the knowledge, critical-thinking skills, and confidence they need to succeed in their careers and make a meaningful impact in their communities.”
Those experiences give Sciarrino many opportunities to see students put their learning into practice. Rather than pointing to one moment as the highlight of her time at CWI, she thinks of the many victories she has been able to celebrate alongside students.
“It’s hard to choose just one moment because the moments that stand out most are all the times we get to celebrate victories with our students,” she said. “Whether it’s an ‘aha’ moment in class, passing the NCLEX, catching something critical in clinical, or celebrating a student’s first job offer as a nurse.”
Sciarrino also values the opportunities CWI provides for students who are beginning a career or pursuing a new one.
“CWI offers students an affordable, high-quality education with opportunities to start a new career or pursue a second career,” she said. “Our stellar reputation in the community reflects the quality of our programs and graduates.”
Her time at CWI has also shaped her own professional journey. Sciarrino said working at the College has given her opportunities to continue developing as a nurse and educator while learning from those around her.
“CWI empowers me to continue growing as both a nurse and an educator,” she said. “It allows me to learn from my students, colleagues, and experiences.”
That sense of community extends to her colleagues in nursing, whom Sciarrino credits as an important part of her experience at CWI.
“I definitely couldn’t do what I do without my amazing coworkers and the support of our Nursing department,” she said. “We have a great team, and I truly believe we’re better together!”
Sciarrino grew up in the Treasure Valley and continues to call the area home. She is married and has two young boys who, she said, keep life “busy, fun, and always interesting.”
Outside of nursing and teaching, Sciarrino enjoys reading, baking, tackling home projects, and spending time with her family.
