Amara Holobaugh, MSN, RN, CPN

Work and Education
Amara Holobaugh began her nursing career as an LVN in 2013 at Texas Children’s Hospital Cancer Center. She obtained her BSN from Western Governors University in 2016 and transitioned to the Infusion Center at Texas Children’s Hospital. In 2018, she and her husband moved to the DFW area, where she worked at the Cook Children’s Hospital Infusion Clinic.

After discovering a passion for teaching, Professor Holobaugh obtained her MSN in education from Western Governors University in 2019 and began her academic career in 2020 as an Academic Coach. In 2021, she started a full-time faculty position at UT Arlington as a clinical instructor for Foundations and Pediatrics. She is committed to cultivating an engaging and supportive learning environment where students develop critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills that translate seamlessly into real-world practice.

Professor Holobaugh is currently pursuing a PhD in Nursing with a specialization in simulation at the University of Central Florida. Her research focuses on virtual reality simulation and cognitive load in undergraduate nursing students. She is passionate about leveraging innovative simulation strategies to enhance learning outcomes, reduce student stress, and improve overall competence in clinical settings.

Awards and Honors
Professor Holobaugh was one of six recipients awarded the Anthony Battaglia Scholarship through the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL) in 2025. This prestigious scholarship recognizes outstanding contributions to the field of nursing simulation and provides recipients with funding to attend the annual INACSL conference, supporting their continued research and professional development.

Professional Organizations
Professor Holobaugh is an active member of INACSL, the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH), and the Society of Pediatric Nurses (SPN).

Articles and Presentations
Professor Holobaugh has collaborated with multiple researchers throughout her doctoral studies. Most recently, she co-authored an abstract titled "Saving Maternal Lives through Pre-Simulation Preparation Focused on Interruption Management and High-Risk Content," which was accepted for podium presentation at the International Nursing Research Congress (INRC) in Seattle, WA, in 2025, as well as poster presentation for INACSL in Denver, CO, in 2025.

Community and Family
Outside of work, Professor Holobaugh enjoys spending time with her husband, Caleb, and their pets, Tahlia and Mochi. She finds joy in crafting, reading, and gaming with her husband on weekends, whether exploring new stories, creating something unique, or engaging in cooperative challenges.