About Us
Academic Escapes, LLC, based in Glendale,
Arizona formed to cater to the educational
and adventure needs of Nursing and Allied
Health Professionals.
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Mary Al-Saleh, DNSc,
MS, FNP, RN
President and CVO (Chief
Visionary Officer) - Mary is
passionate about nursing
education, and brings her 30
years of expertise as a nurse
and nurse educator to Academic
Escapes. Mary earned her BSN,
from Arizona State University,
MSN from University of Portland,
FNP from Arizona State
University, and Doctorate from
Widener University. She also has
a gerontology certificate from
Arizona State University. Mary
has taught nursing both
nationally and internationally.
She has developed expertise in
creative teaching/learning
techniques that appeal to the
visual, auditory and kinesthetic
learner. Her interest in
Academic Escapes began after
attending a nursing convention
where she had the opportunity to
develop professionally as well
as to be renewed and refreshed
finding her niche in Academic
Escapes. Mary is a member of
Sigma Theta Tau, AzNA, and NLN. |
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Jan Joransen, MSN, ANP,
RN - Education Goddess -
brings enthusiasm, creativity,
and excitement to the classroom.
From a background in critical
care nursing and staff
development, Jan provides
instruction based in the real
world. Jan has provided nursing
education at the national and
state level plus she brings her
classroom experience in
associate degree and
baccalaureate students to the
Academic Escapes team. With over
30 years of experience in
nursing, Jan knows the value of
relaxation and renewal. Jan is
excited to be a part of Academic
Escapes where the education she
loves is combined with the
renewal and relaxation all
nurses need. Jan received her
BSN from the University of
Northern Colorado, and her MSN
and Adult Nurse Practitioner
degree from the University of
Colorado. She is ACLS certified
and is a member of AzNA, NLN,
ANA, AACN and Sigma Theta Tau. |
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Diana
Breed, MSN, RN
Techy, Geek, and Fun –Diana has
joined Academic Escapes to
combine her love of education
with technology. Diana loves to
encourage critical thinking with
different methods in unusual
ways. She earned her BSN from
Arizona State University with
her MSN from the University of
Phoenix. Her nursing background
is in Pediatrics with an
emphasis on emergency critical
care. She worked in doctor’s
offices, clinics and even
management positions before
finding her passion for
education. Being both a learner
and an educator at all times she
brings her unique methods to the
classroom and in the clinical
setting. She believes Academic
Escapes will move the process of
education into the future and
wants to be part of that change.
Her motto is, “You will leave
with something you can use
tomorrow!” |
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Margaret Covington,
MSN, RN
Cultural and Communications Diva
- Margaret cherishes the
profession of nursing, and
brings a down-to-earth attitude
with humor when teaching. She
has over 35 years of nursing and
nursing education experience,
with the strong base of Medical
Surgical Nursing. Margaret
actively seeks opportunities to
travel, and enjoys ‘learning for
learning’s sake.’ She is certain
that her love of both learning
and traveling will be realized
via the many upcoming Academic
Escapes adventures. Margaret
looks forward to experiencing
other cultures and places with
the clients of Academic Escapes.
She values technology and
incorporates computer
applications into nursing
education, whenever possible.
Margaret is a Clinical Nurse
Specialist and received her BSN
and MSN from SUNY at Buffalo.
Margaret has presented
nationally, and is a member of
NLN, AzNA and ANA, and currently
teaches Fundamentals and Medical
Surgical Nursing. |
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