Nursing Instructors
LISA BECHARD, MSN, RN
Additional Degrees: AD, BSN
Lisa Bechard earned her MSN from Walden University in Minneapolis and is a certified phlebotomist. Her background includes organizational leadership and operation, case management, staff development, retention, and recruitment. Additional experience includes geriatric, psychiatric, and hospice nursing; infection control; quality control; and bedside application of nursing skills while caring for patients.
“I enjoy teaching future nurses how to apply theory and skills at the bedside. I value each student's uniqueness, enjoy group dynamics, and utilize a variety of teaching strategies to find the best fit. I am called to this profession to share my passion for teaching, learning, and connecting with students. Nursing is a wonderful combination of technical skill, compassion, and kindness. My goal is to help students find a balance of these things and enjoy the beauty of serving others through the nursing profession.”
SANDRA DIECK, MSN, RN
Additional Degrees: BS Nursing, BS Biology
Sandra earned her MSN in nursing education from UW–Oshkosh and her BSN from UW–Eau Claire. She has 20 years of nursing experience in critical care, outpatient infusion center, urgent care walk-in, surgical nursing, and access center for patient transfers and admissions. Sandra is a member of the American Nurses Association and the Wisconsin Nurses Association and values the nursing role in shaping the future of health care through legislation and evidence-based practice. She participates in educational offerings as available to maintain her nursing skills and competency.
“My students are my legacy for nursing.”
LEAH ECKSTEIN, MSN, RN
Additional Degrees: BSN
Leah earned her MSN from Walden University. Her background includes 12 years of experience in public health nursing and administration. She also engages in ongoing continuing education and researches current evidence-based practices to stay current with evolving practices.
"I enjoy watching students grow in their thought process to become critical thinkers who are engaging in the care of their clients. It is exciting to watch them learn to think beyond the immediate care of the client and show concern for their future health."
DAWN EDE, MSN, RN
Additional Degrees: BSN
Dawn holds an MSN from UW–Eau Claire. She has been a nurse educator at Mid-State for over 20 years. She has also worked for over 30 years as an obstetric nurse with OB patients, including newborns and high-risk populations as well as in the surgical suite settings. She is also a content expert for Ascend/ATI Learning and an ATI Champion for the nursing program.
“I love seeing the students being able to apply classroom theory in the clinical setting. You can see when it starts to make sense to them, and they start thinking like a nurse.”
SHARON GEBELEIN, DNP, RN, CNE
Additional Degrees: ADN, BSN, MSN
Sharon earned her DNP from Grand Canyon University and her MSN from UW–Oshkosh, and she is a Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse. Her experience includes 20 years of work as a staff nurse in medical/surgical and obstetrics settings.
“I love sharing my 20 years of nursing experience with my students. One of the great things about teaching, other than the students, is the chance it gives me to spend time in the hospital with patients. This is one area I miss from my days of nursing.”
TRACY JOOSTEN, MSN, RN
Additional Degrees: BSN
Tracy earned her MSN from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. She is a master’s prepared registered nurse as well as a board-certified nurse practitioner. She has experience in CCU, cardiac, pediatrics, SICU, and obstetrics and practiced as a family practice nurse practitioner for eight years before joining Mid-State as a full-time Nursing Instructor.
“My love for nursing and helping the sick heal and the healthy thrive is what led me to teaching at Mid-State. Having an opportunity to educate future nurses to be knowledgeable and passionate about the career is what I strive for with every student encounter.”
SARAH LYNCH, MSN, RN
Additional Degrees: ADN, BS
Sarah earned her MSN from Capella University. She also holds an associate degree in nursing from Northcentral Technical College and a bachelor's degree from UW–Stevens Point. Sarah has worked in healthcare since 2006 and as a registered nurse since 2016. She has spent her entire healthcare career working with the critical care population with an emphasis in cardiac care.
"I believe my greatest responsibility as an educator is to develop a trusting and welcoming relationship with students, facilitate their education, and give them opportunities to expand their thinking. I understand teaching and learning is a two-way process and believe educational development involves shared decision making between the educator and the learner. This will help enhance the teacher-learner relationship and engage and motivate learners to maximize their learning potential."
LISA MASSEN, MSN, RN
Additional Degrees: BSN
Lisa earned her MS in nursing education from Western Governors University in Utah. She taught in Mid-State’s Healthcare Simulation Center prior to becoming a full-time instructor. She began her healthcare career as a nurse's assistant in 2001 and has been a registered nurse since 2011. Her teaching is informed by clinical backgrounds in medical/surgical, emergency room, specialty clinic, family clinic, and home health as well as management backgrounds in emergency room, family clinic, and specialty clinics.
“I am passionate about educating our future nurses and inspiring them to become the best role models and mentors to other nurses. I am an alumnus of Mid-State and had great mentors and educators leading me to succeed in this career pathway.”
KELLY NELSON, MSN, RN
Additional Degrees: AD, BS
Kelly holds an MSN from Walden University. She is also a graduate of the 2004 Associate Degree Nursing class at Mid-State Technical College. She has worked in acute care, industrial settings, and clinic-based care. She also worked in management for eight years before returning to school for her MSN with an emphasis in education.
“My passion is to help people and make a difference in the world. I feel that by combining nursing and education I can make a greater impact.”
KRISTI PILGER, MSN, RN
Additional Degrees: BSN
Kristi holds an MSN from UW–Oshkosh and a BSN from UW–Madison. She has been working as a registered nurse since 1999 in the areas of cardiology, obstetrics, community health, and education.
“I love to think that I can have a positive impact on the profession of nursing by working with nursing students who are the future of the profession.”
CAROLYN L. SCHNEEBELI, MSN, RN
Additional Degrees: ADN, BSN
Carolyn holds an MSN in nursing education from Excelsior College in Albany, New York. She is also a certified flight nurse and a certified critical care nurse. Her experience includes intensive care units as well as a critical care transport nurse (flight and ground) where she worked with a wide array of patient age groups. She keeps her skills current as a flight nurse for Medevac Air 2 out of Mosinee.
“Being able to transform lives, whether directly as a nurse or indirectly as an instructor, is the greatest accomplishment I have found.”
CRISSY WATENPAUGH, MSN, RN
Additional Degrees: ADN, BSN
Crissy is a registered nurse with an MSN, nurse educator, and a BSN from Chamberlain University. A practicing nurse since 1999, Crissy has worked as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) in long-term care and home health in addition to 15 years working with developmentally disabled individuals through the Illinois Department of Human Services. Her clinical experience includes med-surg, family practice, and palliative/hospice care.
“I absolutely love being a nurse and caring for people. My goal as a nurse educator is to convey that same passion as I teach, inspire, and mentor future nursing graduates of Mid-State Technical College.”
LINDA WOLOSCHEK-GREENBERG, DNP, RN
Additional Degrees: AD, BSN, MSN
Linda earned her MSN and RN from Excelsior College. She has over 30 years in the medical field in critical care transport (helicopter/ambulance/intercept), medical/surgical, pediatrics, intensive care units, hemodialysis, and emergency rooms. She is also retired from the Army. Her continuing education includes attending conferences to keep current with her paramedic license and her certified flight registered nurse.
