Sarah Gast DNP, APRN, AGACNP-BC, FNP-BC

Assistant Professor

Bio

Dr. Sarah Gast joined VUSN full-time in 2019 as an associate professor. Prior to joining full-time she was a part-time faculty member with an appointment at VUMC. She teaches in the Master of Nursing, AGACNP specialty program. Her clinical background includes cardiothoracic, surgical and cardiac critical care.

Education

DNP, Vanderbilt University
Post-Masters, Vanderbilt University
MSN, University of Kansas
BSN, University of Kansas

Certifications

AGACNP-BC
FNP-BC

Current Research/Scholarly Interests

APP practice in adult cardiac critical care
APP satisfaction, development, and retention
Learner engagement and innovative teaching strategies

Academic Interests

Advanced Health Assessment
Advanced Pharmacology
Adult Critical Care Management
Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) in acute care

Current Projects

APP Grand Rounds & M&M
Supporting APP clinicians' scholarship
APP Fellowship

Representative Publications

Journals

Gast, S., Barroso, J., Blanchard, F.A. Campbell, A.A., Carter, S.J., Clark, E.V., Hilton, R., Branson, R., Greenberg, S., & Kleinpell, R. (2022). Critical care nurses' experience of caring for COVID-19 patients: Results of a thematic analysis. American Journal of Critical Care. Doi: doi.org/10.4037/ajcc20227

Lancaster, B., Shifrin, M. & Gast, S. (2022) Implementation of a standardized rounding tool and reduce mechanical ventilation duration and medical intensive care unit length of stay. Critical Care Nurse 42(2):e1-e8. doi: 10.4037/ccn2022854

Smith, L.D. Gast, S., & Guy, D. (2021) Brugada syndrome for the critical-care professional: Fatal consequences of a must not miss diagnosis. Critical Care Nurse 41 (5): 15-22. DOI: 10.4037/ccn2021499

Brunhoeber, L.A., King, J., Davis, S.A., & Witherspoon, B. (2018). Nurse practitioner use of point-of-care ultrasound in critical care. Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 15(5), 383-388. https://doi,org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2017.12.002

Bailey, BA, Davis, S, Witherspoon, B. (2016). Assessment of Volume Status Utilizing Ultrasonography. In J. Squiers (Ed.), Fluids and Electrolytes (pp. 269-279). Chicago, IL. Elsevier Publisher. doi: 10.1016/j.cnur.2017.01.004.

Kahn, S.A., Davis, S.A., Banes, C.T., Dennis, B.A., May, A.K., & Gunter, O.D. (2015) Impact of advanced practice providers (nurse practitioners and physician assistance) on surgical residents' critical care experience. Journal of Surgical Research. 199(1), 7-12. doi: /10.1016/j.jss.2015.05.036

Book Chapters

Bailey, BA, Davis, S, Witherspoon, B. (2016). Assessment of volume status utilizing ultrasonography. In J. Squiers (Ed.), Fluids and electrolytes (2nd ed., pp. 269-279). Elsevier Publisher. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cnur.2017.01.004

Representative Presentations

Enstrom, C.E. & Gast, S.A., & Lancaster, B.K. (2023, May 22). Differentiation and Treatment of Shock States with Guideline Updates for the APRN [Podium presentation]. American Association of Critical Care Nurses 2023 National Teaching Institute Conference, Philadelphia, PA.

Lancaster, B.K., Shifrin, M.S. & Gast, S.A. (2022, June 24) Implementation of a Standardized Rounding Tool to Improve the Incidence of Spontaneous Awakening and Breathing Trials in Mechanically Ventilated Patients. [Poster Presentation]. American Association of Nurse Practitioners 2022 National Conference, Orlando, FL.

Shifrin, M.S. & Gast, S.A. (2022, June 23) Did You Hear That? Using Podcasts as a Novel Content Delivery Platform in Graduate Level Nursing Education [Poster Presentation]. American Association of Nurse Practitioners 2022 National Conference, Orlando, FL.

Enstrom, C.E. & Gast, S.A. (2021, June 15-August 31). Adherence to low tidal
volume ventilation in acute respiratory distress syndrome [Poster presentation]. American Association of Nurse Practitioners 2021 National Conference, Virtual conference.

McNabb, K., Gast, S., & Wilbeck, J. (2020, April 22-24). Technology Speaks: Novel informatics applications to transform NP education [Podium Presentation]. Duke School of Nursing Institute for Educational Excellence?s 2020 National Conference, Durham, NC. (Conference cancelled due to COVID-19)

Gast, S. (2019, October 4). The Acute Abdomen [Podium Presentation]. GAPNA National Conference, Las Vegas, NV.

Gast, S. (2020, October 3-5). The Acute Abdomen [Podium Presentation]. GAPNA National Conference, Las Vegas, NV.

Davis, S. (2017, April 10). Delirium Prevention in Critical Care [Advanced Practice Grand Rounds]. University of Kansas Health Systems Department of Trauma and Surgical Services, Kansas City, KS.

Davis, S. (2017, February 24). Case Studies in Ultrasound [Conference session]. American Academy of Emergency Nurse Practitioners, Regional Meeting, Chattanooga, TN.

Davis, S. (2016, May 5). Job Satisfaction Among Advanced Practice Providers in an Academic Medical Center [Podium Presentation]. Sigma Theta Tau Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, Nashville, TN

Davis, S. (2015, September 5). Current Guidelines and Topics in Critical Care [Podium Presentation]. Vanderbilt Medical Center Annual ACNP Bootcamp, Nashville, TN.

Davis, S. (2008, April 18). Professionalism and Certification of the Clinical Nurse I, II, and III [Podium Presentation]. University of Kansas Hospital Nursing Symposium, Kansas City, KS.

Davis, S. (2005, February 4-6). Breastfeeding in Adolescent Mothers [Poster Presentation] Midwest Research Society Annual Conference, Kansas City, Missouri.

Clinical Practice

Adult cardiac critical care

Reviewer

Reviewer for American Journal of Critical Care
Reviewer for Journal of Advanced Nursing

Professional Organizations

National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties
American College of Cardiology
American Association of Nurse Practitioners
National League for Nursing
American College of Chest Physicians
Society of Critical Care Medicine
Tennessee Nurses Association
American Nurses Association

Honors/Awards

Vanderbilt University, School of Nursing

Sara K. Archer Teaching Award August 2020
Sara K. Archer Teaching Award August 2022