Wendy Grissom is a dedicated nursing instructor at Montgomery Community College (MCC), a Phi Theta Kappa Student Advisor and a nationally Certified Nurse Educator (CNE).
A native of Sanford, North Carolina, Wendy attended Lee Senior High School before beginning her nursing journey at Sandhills Community College in Pinehurst, where she earned her Associate Degree in Nursing. She went on to complete her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Fayetteville State University and later earned her Master of Science in Nursing Education from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.
Before transitioning into education, Wendy served as a registered nurse for 14 years. Her extensive clinical experience includes bariatric surgery, general surgery, medical-surgical nursing and neonatal intensive care. She also worked as a float nurse, gaining experience across multiple departments and diverse patient populations and served as a medical secretary early in her career. This broad clinical background allows her to bring real-world insight into the classroom and serve as a knowledgeable mentor and strong advocate for students entering the nursing profession.
At MCC, Wendy is collaborating with Amanda Beaman, Medical Assisting Director, and other MCC faculty to develop an innovative bridge program for Certified Medical Assistants to transition into the Associate Degree in Nursing program. If approved, this proposed pathway would allow qualified Certified Medical Assistants to receive advanced placement credit for prior coursework and demonstrated clinical competencies, reducing content duplication and shortening the time required to earn an Associate Degree in Nursing. By recognizing the strong foundation Certified Medical Assistants already possess—including patient care skills, clinical procedures, documentation and professional communication—the program would lower tuition costs, increase career mobility, and accelerate entry into the registered nursing workforce. Ultimately, the initiative is designed to strengthen the regional healthcare pipeline while expanding educational opportunities for local students.
Committed to lifelong learning, Wendy pursued national certification in nursing education. In preparation, she attended a Certified Nurse Educator conference and completed an intensive online preparatory program with Dr. Bridgette Sellars of Sellars Education, focusing on teaching strategies, curriculum development, assessment, scholarship, leadership and quality improvement in nursing education. She subsequently earned the Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) credential through the National League for Nursing. Wendy is proud to be MCC’s first Certified Nurse Educator and actively encourages fellow faculty members to pursue professional certification and continued growth.
Wendy believes that education does not end at graduation but begins a lifelong journey of growth, reflection and service. She challenges her students to see themselves not just as future nurses or medical assistants, but as professionals committed to continual learning, leadership and excellence. She reminds them that the power of lifelong learning is what transforms competence into confidence and careers into callings. By modeling curiosity, resilience, and professional advancement in her own journey, Wendy empowers her students to pursue knowledge boldly and to never stop striving to become the best version of themselves for their patients and their communities. As Florence Nightingale wisely stated, “Let us never consider ourselves finished nurses… we must be learning all of our lives.” Wendy embraces this philosophy and instills it in every student she teaches.
Wendy resides in Whispering Pines with her husband and two children. In addition to her role at MCC, she serves as a Clinical Instructor with the UNC School of Nursing in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where she continues to mentor and support future nursing professionals.