Lisa Maher
Allen College Class of 2005 – BSN

Employment History

2005 – 2008, RN at Allen Hospital; worked both cardiac telemetry stepdown unit and Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab

2008 – Present, Nurse Practitioner at Cedar Valley Cardiovascular Center

How did Allen College help prepare you for where you are now?

Allen College did a wonderful job preparing me for BSN boards and my first nursing job. My clinical instructors were so kind and knowledgeable. The experience through Allen College helped launch my nursing career and instilled the learning drive for an ongoing quest for knowledge.

What was your first job after graduating Allen?

My first job after Allen College was working nights on the cardiac telemetry unit. I came to appreciate and truly respect what nurses do throughout the night to care for patients. This job allowed me to use critical thinking skills and trust my gut instinct.

Please share accomplishments, awards, proud moments, or published articles.

Started Cedar Valley Iowa Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association Chapter (2013)

Serving as Cedar Valley Iowa Chapter Leader (2013 – Present)

Serving on the Allen College Alumni Association Board (2014 – Present) and as Vice Chair (2017 – Present)

Recipient of the Terry Thomas Clinical Practice Award (April 2016)

Published textbook 2016:
Maher, L. (2016). Care of the Obese in Advanced Practice Nursing: Communication, Assessment and Treatment. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company, LLC.

Received the AJN Book of the Year Award for Care of the Obese in Advanced Practice Nursing: Communication, Assessment and Treatment (2016)

Named a Fellow of the Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association (April 2018)

Attended ACC CVD Risk Communication for Patients & Their Clinicians Heart House Roundtable, Washington, D.C. (October 2018)

Elected to the National Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association Board 2019

Any hobbies or interests?

I love to exercise, enjoy the outdoors, golf, spend time on the river boating, read, and craft with my Cricut. I love spending time with my family and friends, especially my husband, Brook, and our two children, Jameson (4) and Maddon (1).

What piece of advice would you give to current Allen students?

Trust in your knowledge obtained through classes and clinical; use these experiences to learn and grow into amazing nurses and medical professionals!