Valera A.Hascup, PhD, RN, FASRN, CCES, DLC
Valera Alexandra Hascup is an accomplished nurse researcher and educator with over four decades of experience in nursing and more than 22 years in academia. She currently serves as an Associate Professor at Saint Peter’s University School of Nursing, teaching across BSN, RN-to-BSN, MSN, and doctoral programs, and mentoring doctoral students through research and capstone projects. Her work emphasizes nursing research, theory-driven practice, and the integration of academic rigor with compassionate, patient-centered care.
Dr. Hascup’s research focuses on women’s health in vulnerable populations, particularly Latina and African American communities, with a special interest in antepartum and postpartum depression. She has also explored incivility and bullying among nursing faculty, examining its impact on the nursing workforce. Over the years, she has presented her research at national conferences and received numerous awards, including the New Jersey League for Nursing Nurse Recognition Award, the Felician University Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award, and the George Hebert Legacy Award from Rutgers University.
Beyond her research, Dr. Hascup is deeply committed to advocacy and community service. She serves as a Susan G. Komen Advocacy Ambassador, supporting breast cancer education and policy initiatives, and volunteers with therapy dog programs to provide emotional support and education across healthcare and community settings. Fluent in French and Spanish, she also brings a transcultural perspective to nursing education, fostering inclusivity and cultural competence among her students and colleagues.
• Saint Peter’s University
• New York University
• Duquesne University- Ph.D.
• Rutgers University–Newark
• Kean University- M.S.N.
• Felician College- B.S.N.
• Thomas Edison State College
• Holy Name Hospital School of Nursing
• Research Fellowship Award
• Fellow, American Society Registered Nurses
• Research Fellowship Award, Saint Peter’s University
• New York University First Inagural Leadership Program, one of 12 selected
• Alpha Alpha Alpha
• Research Fellowship Leadership Award
• George Hebert Legacy Research Award
• Beacon of Light Award
• Epsilon Phi Research Award
• MSN Distinguished Alumni Award
• Susan G. Coleman Foundation
• American Nurses Association
• NJ State Nurses Association INPAC committee
• BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL THERAPY DOGS INC
• Bergen County Prosecutor's Office
• Pulse Center for Patient Safety Education & Advocacy
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the emphasis my mother placed on education, my own determination and faith, and a lifelong commitment to learning and striving for excellence.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering nursing is to view every challenge as a learning opportunity, use setbacks to grow, and cultivate resilience alongside a commitment to lifelong learning.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges in nursing today include organizational culture and dysfunction, the overreliance on technology and AI over human presence, gaps in clinical experience post-COVID, and the ethical implications of AI in patient care. These issues also present opportunities to reinforce critical thinking, ethical practice, and the human-centered aspects of healthcare.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in my work and personal life are faith, integrity, fairness, transparency, and honesty. I also find balance and fulfillment through my passion for riding and competing with my two horses.