Erin Wallace is honored to be the recipient of the NEF Laura D. Smith/National Student Nurses Association (NSNA) Scholarship for the 2025–2026 academic year.

She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from San Diego State University and holds certification in Emergency Nursing (CEN).  Currently, Erin is pursuing her Master of Science in Nursing at Frontier Nursing University, where she is studying to become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) with an anticipated graduation in May 2026.

Erin has been a dedicated Registered Nurse for over 15 years, working full-time in the Emergency Department at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Growing up in a military family instilled in her a deep respect for service members and a lasting commitment to veteran care.

Her decision to pursue advanced practice in psychiatric mental health nursing was shaped by both personal and professional experiences. The loss of a close friend’s son, a Marine veteran who struggled with PTSD and substance use disorder, profoundly impacted her. His passing highlighted the limitations of conventional treatments and inspired Erin to seek innovative, holistic approaches to mental health care—particularly equine-assisted therapy.

Erin is passionate about integrating this alternative therapy into mainstream psychiatric care, especially for veterans and underserved populations. Equine-assisted therapy, which fosters emotional connection and trust through interactions with horses, has shown promising results for individuals unresponsive to traditional modalities. Erin hopes to combine her clinical knowledge with research and program development to bring such therapies to those who need them most.

In addition to her clinical work, Erin actively participates in community outreach, including volunteering with Stand Down San Diego, an organization serving homeless veterans. Her excellence in nursing has been recognized through several honors, including the National HERO Award, multiple Preceptor of the Year awards, and DAISY Awards for compassionate care.

The PMHNP degree will allow Erin to design and implement evidence-based, trauma-informed treatment programs incorporating traditional and complementary therapies. Her long-term goal is to lead research and develop accessible, effective care models that address mental health and substance use in vulnerable populations.

Receiving the NEF Laura D. Smith/NSNA scholarship is both a personal and professional milestone. As the primary caregiver for her mother, Erin has faced financial and emotional challenges while pursuing graduate studies. This award provides critical support that will allow her to focus on her education and research goals.  She is deeply grateful to NEF and NSNAfor investing in her vision and helping her meaningfully contribute to the future of mental health care.