Miranda Wahnsiedler, MSN, BS, AGCNS-BC, RNC-OB, C-ONQS, is a recipient of the 2025 Award of Excellence in Practice, presented by the Association of Women's Health, Obstetrical and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN). This award celebrates nurses who advance clinical excellence and evidence-based care in women’s health, obstetrics or newborn care through innovation and leadership.
She works as the Perinatal Clinical Nurse Specialist for Labor & Delivery/High Risk Antepartum/OBED/Mother Baby units at Ascension St. Vincent, Evansville.
Miranda received two nursing degrees from USI: her Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) in 2011 and her Master of Science in nursing (MSN) in 2016 in the Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) program.
Q&A with Miranda Wahnsiedler
Where are you from originally? I was born in Evansville and raised in Elberfeld, Indiana.
Who or what inspired you to major in nursing and pursue a graduate degree? I have two sisters who are amazing nurses, and they inspired me to get my nursing degree. At the time, I had finished a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and criminal justice and was in a clinical psychology doctoral program in Indianapolis. I just didn't feel like I was headed in the direction that I wanted, and my sisters inspired me to try a new route in nursing. Initially, my goal was to stay in mental health/psychiatric care, but I just fell in love with women's health. There is a lot of overlap with my prior education, and it felt like a better fit for me. Now, I can't imagine doing anything else. High risk obstetrical care is where I belong.
Would you recommend USI Nursing to others? Absolutely! The Nursing Program at USI is known for its high level of preparation in future nurses. The program is outstanding with fantastic staff. At one point, I was an adjunct clinical faculty member–a position that I was proud to have to contribute to USI’s legacy of educating future nurses. They just really hit the right balance with theory and practice. It shows when hiring nurses from USI's program. They really stand out above others.
Anything else about yourself you would like to add? I would really like to thank two of my past professors: Dr. Gina Schaar and Dr. Mary Jane Schwartz. Without their guidance and palpable passion for the field, I don't know if I would be where I am today. I really feel like they pushed me to achieve more than I thought I could, all the while giving me the support that I needed.