Shanna has over 15 years’ experience as a Registered Nurse and Midwife. Completing a Bachelor of Nursing Degree at the University of Western Sydney in 2001. Shanna gained extensive experience working in various health facilities in Australia and in the United Kingdom. Shanna began a career in midwifery in 2005 completing a Graduate Diploma in Midwifery at Charles Sturt University. Shanna then progressed into Nursing and Midwifery education upon completion of her Master of Midwifery studies in 2008 at the University of Newcastle. She accepted various casual academic and clinical teaching appointments before becoming a permanent member of the universities teaching staff in June 2013. Shanna was appointed at Charles Sturt University as a Lecturer in Nursing and Midwifery in 2019 at the Port Macquarie Campus. Shanna has recently been appointed as a post-doctoral reserach fellow with the Ageing Well in rural and reginal Australia research group.

Shanna is an early career researcher with a PhD in community medicine and clinical epidemiology from the University of Newcastle. Shanna’s research interests surround improving maternal and infant health, regional and rural health and the use of immersive technologies in nursing, midwifery, and medical education and practice. Shanna is a conjoint lecturer with the University of Newcaslte and affiliate member of the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) . Shanna has experience in both honours and PhD co-supervision and honours thesis examination.