Graduate Nursing Program Director & Associate Professor
Dr. Gina Clarkson joined Boise State University in July 2026 as the Graduate Nursing Program Director and an Associate Professor with tenure . Prior to this role, Dr. Clarkson served as the Interim Associate Dean and Director of the School of Nursing at Idaho State University (2023-2025), where she was promoted to Full Professor in April 2026. During her tenure at Idaho State, she managed a multi-million dollar budget, oversaw programmatic CCNE and NWCCU accreditations, and led major strategic initiatives.
A dedicated researcher, Dr. Clarkson’s academic specialties focus deeply on neonatal nursing, paternal involvement in the NICU, and substance use disorder education. Her extensive research portfolio includes serving as the Evaluation Director for the Idaho AHEC Program Office (2023-2026) and the Evaluation Coordinator for a $900,000 SAMHSA grant aimed at enhancing rural substance use disorder screening and treatment (2024 to 2026).
Dr. Clarkson has authored or co-authored numerous peer-reviewed publications in prestigious journals such as the Journal of Pediatric Nursing, Advances in Neonatal Care, and the International Journal of Qualitative Methods. Additionally, she has been invited to speak at major national conferences and has mentored multiple award-winning PhD and DNP students through their dissertations and scholarly projects.
Dr. Clarkson’s academic and administrative leadership is backed by robust clinical and military experience. She has practiced as a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner since 2010, maintaining active clinical roles at Intermountain Medical Center and previously at the University of Utah Medical Center. Dr. Clarkson also served as a Captain and nurse in the United States Air Force from 2000 to 2007, earning the Air Force Commendation Medal and the Air Force Achievement Medal for her leadership and service. She holds a PhD in Nursing Science and an MSN from Vanderbilt University, a BSN from Hawaii Pacific University, and a BS in Psychology from the University of Florida. She also holds a national certification as a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner.
Dr. Clarkson moved to Pocatello, Idaho in 2016 when she started her academic career at Idaho State University, and outside of her professional life, she has been happily married since June 1999, has two adult children, two cats, and a dog, and enjoys camping and going to the beach.
Contact Information
Phone: (208) 426-3484
Email: ginaclarkson@boisestate.edu