Brief Bio

Virginia “Chris” Muckler, DNP, CRNA, joined the School of Nursing faculty in July 2012 as Clinical Education Coordinator (CEC) for DUSON’s nurse anesthesia program, a post she held in an interim capacity since Fall 2011. As CEC, Dr. Muckler is responsible for the management of the nurse anesthesia program’s clinical sites and preceptors as well as our CRNA students’ clinical experiences. She will teach a number of nurse anesthesia specialty courses.

After serving on active duty in the United States Air Force, Chris earned a BSN at Auburn University. She completed the MSN at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (in conjunction with the Raleigh School of Nurse Anesthesia), achieved certification as a CRNA, and joined the staff of Durham Regional Hospital in 2002. Since then, she has held managerial and staff positions as a CRNA at Durham Regional, and in those capacities served as a clinical preceptor for Duke nurse anesthesia students long before coming to DUSON.

Dr. Muckler earned her DNP from the Duke University School of Nursing in 2011 with “Focused Anesthesia Interview Resources (FAIR) to Improve Efficiency and Quality” as her capstone project and was a recipient of the Mary Hanna Memorial Journalism Award in 2013 for her work. Her scholarly interests include simulation, verbal care plans, day-of-surgery cancellations and delays, the use and effect of intravenous acetaminophen, and bariatric anesthesia. She is a member of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, North Carolina Association of Nurse Anesthetists, and Sigma Theta Tau. Dr. Muckler is also a National League for Nursing (NLN) Simulation Leader. This year-long Leadership Development Program for 20 Simulation Educators competitively selected across the nation, participate in the NLN’s faculty leadership development initiative, designed for those interested in assuming a leadership role in the research or administration of simulation programs in nursing education. This program aims to expand the science of nursing education while developing personal leadership skills.

Academic Program Affiliations

Education

Professional Certifications

Research Interests

Awards and Honors

• 2013 Mary Hanna Memorial Journalism Award (for article "Focused anesthesia interview resource to improve efficiency and quality"), American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses (ASPAN)

• 1997 Inducted, Sigma Theta Tau International

• 1996 Dean's List, Auburn University

• 1995 Air Force Achievement Medal for Meritorious Service, U.S. Air Force

• 1994 Inducted, Alpha Sigma Lambda

• 1993 Certificate of Commendation, U.S. Air Force

• 1993 Dean's List, Troy State University, Montgomery, AL

• 1992 Student Leadership Recognition

Areas of Expertise

• Anesthesia

Representative Publications

• 2015 -- Pubmed # 25813298 Rice, A. N., Muckler, V. C., Miller, W. R., Vacchiano, C. A. Fast-tracking ambulatory surgery patients following anesthesia. J Perianesth Nurs. April, 2015; 30(2); 124-33

• 2012 -- Pubmed # 23164202 Muckler, V. C., Vacchiano, C. A., Sanders, E. G., Wilson, J. P., Champagne, M. T. Focused anesthesia interview resource to improve efficiency and quality. J Perianesth Nurs. December, 2012; 27(6); 376-84

• 2012 -- Muckler, V. Anesthesia abuse. In Salem Health: Addictions and Substance Abuse, edited by Montvilo, R. K. 2012; Ipswich, MA: Salem Press.

• 2012 -- Muckler, V. Food addiction. In Salem Health: Addictions and Substance Abuse, edited by Montvilo, R. K. 2012; Ipswich, MA: Salem Press.

• 2001 -- Pubmed # 11740779 Watkins, A. C., White, P. F. Fast-tracking after ambulatory surgery. J Perianesth Nurs. December 1, 2001; 16(6); 379-87

Grant Funding (selected)