Tracye Proffitt, Ph.D., RN, CNE
Pronouns: she/her
Assistant Professor
Undergraduate Programs and Administrative Support
Department of Adult Health and Nursing Systems
Education
- Ph.D. (Nursing), Virginia Commonwealth University
- M.S. (Adult Health Acute Care Nursing), Virginia Commonwealth University
- B.S. (Nursing), Virginia Commonwealth University
- A.A.S. (Nursing), Rappahannock Community College
Research/Scholarship Interests
Proffitt’s research focuses on adults who have survived severe, life-threatening illnesses involving a stay in the intensive care unit (ICU). These ICU survivors are at risk of physical, cognitive and psychological problems collectively known as post-intensive care syndrome (PICS). Proffitt is also interested in ICU delirium, an acute confusional state experienced by many patients during their ICU stay that contributes to the development of PICS. Her current work is focused on the physical and psychological problems experienced by ICU survivors.
Teaching
Proffitt teaches pathophysiology and pharmacology in the prelicensure concentration of the undergraduate program and ethics, law and public policy in the RN to B.S. concentration of the undergraduate nursing program. Additionally, she teaches evidence-based practice in the graduate nursing program.
Select Publications
- Proffitt, T., Menzies, V., Grap, M.J., Orr, T., Thacker II, L. Ameringer, S. (2023). Cognitive impairment, physical impairment, and psychological symptoms in intensive care unit survivors. American Journal of Critical Care, 32(6), 410-420.
- Lastrapes, K., Dang, M., Cassel, J. B., Orr, T., Proffitt, T., & Del Fabbro, E. (2021). Delirium documentation in hospitalized pediatric patients with cancer. Palliative & supportive care, 19(3), 283-286.
- Proffitt, T., & Menzies, V. (2019). Relationship of symptoms associated with ICU-survivorship: An integrative literature review. Intensive & Critical Care Nursing, 53, 60-67.
Professional Service
Proffitt is a member of several professional research, nursing and critical care organizations. She serves on the Nursing Research and Scholarship Subcommittee for the Society of Critical Care Medicine and the Career Development and Award Committee for the Southern Nursing Research Society. Proffitt also serves on the VCU Libraries Advisory Committee and the School of Nursing undergraduate curriculum committee.