30 years in nursing, from bedside to regulatory leadership.
Clinical practice, regulatory policy, legal consulting, and continuing education — and an unexpected parallel career as an Army flight surgeon.
SARAH K. WICKENHAGEN, DNP, FNP-C, APRN · FOUNDER & PRINCIPAL CONSULTANT
Sarah Wickenhagen has been a nurse for 30 years — 12 of them in regulatory policy at the state board level, and the rest in direct clinical practice, education, and leadership. That full-career breadth translates directly into legal nurse consulting grounded in real, hands-on nursing experience, not just regulatory theory.
Her background includes RN/APRN education and practice consulting, expert witness engagements, and senior-level leadership within both professional and military nursing organizations.
She is also a contributing author to an APRN pharmacology textbook and speaks publicly on nursing practice, regulation, and RN/APRN scope of practice.
- DEGREEDoctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)Advanced clinical and leadership training
- CERT.FNP-C, APRNBoard-certified Family Nurse Practitioner
- CAREER30 Years as a Registered NurseClinical practice, education, leadership, and regulatory policy
- POLICY12 Years, State Board of NursingFormer Operations & Policy Analyst, APRN education and practice
- LEADERSHIPFormer Co-Chair, NCSBN APRN Consult Peer NetworkNational Council of State Boards of Nursing; presented at the national level
- FACULTYFormer Faculty, OHSU School of NursingTaught Advanced Pharmacology, primary care, and ethics; continues to guest lecture statewide at RN/APRN and other levels
APRN Pharmacology Textbook Contributor
Contributing author on advanced practice pharmacology content.
Governor-Appointed, Public Health Policy & Formulary Committee (PHPFC)
Confirmed by the Oregon Legislature; completed a four-year term.
OHSU School of Nursing Alumni Award
Recognized by her alma mater for professional achievement.
Order of Military Medical Merit (O2M3)
Recognized for distinguished service in Army medicine.
Army Nurse Corps Association (ANCA) Military Nursing Practice Award
Recognized for excellence in military nursing practice.
Leadership & Public Speaking
Presentations on nursing leadership, patient safety, interdisciplinary communication, regulation, and APRN scope of practice.
U.S. Army, Lieutenant Colonel (Retired)
Field Hospital Commander · Brigade XO · Global Medic Exercise Planner · Flight Surgeon — MedEvac Crew Member. Deployed to Afghanistan, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, and Morocco; humanitarian service in Nepal and Uganda.
Selected engagements
Selected engagements and client feedback, shared without identifying case details.
Criminal — Expert Witness for the Prosecution
Retained to provide expert nursing testimony before a grand jury and in the prosecution's case at trial.
Regulatory Impact — Pain Management Standard of Care
Published articles on Oregon pain management standards have been cited by the DEA as evidence of the applicable standard of care in pain management cases.
“Thank you, Dr. Wickenhagen, for responding so quickly! This is very helpful and goes above and beyond what I was looking for at this time. The appendices are incredibly powerful and effective.”
— Malpractice Attorney, ClientActive in the profession, not just credentialed by it
Ongoing membership, board service, and national speaking engagements across the organizations that shape nursing practice and leadership.
- MEMBERProfessional AssociationsAANP, ANA, NWONL, NPO, ENA
- HONORAANP State Award for NP Advocacy2014
- LEADERSHIPFormer Executive Director, NWONLNorthwest Organization of Nurse Leaders, 2015–2016 — led transition to a sustainable part-time ED model
- SERVICEBoard & Advisory ServiceFormer Board Member, Nurse Practitioners of Oregon (NPO)
Former Board Member, Oregon Nurses Foundation (ONF) — supported nursing scholarships in Oregon
Former Advisory Member, Oregon Center for Nursing (OCN) — continues active participation, including the Friday Huddle and OCN podcast appearances
- SPEAKINGNational Conference SpeakerAANP and ENA national conferences
- SPEAKINGAnnual Speaker, NPORegular presenter at NPO's annual conference
Start a consultation
For attorneys, healthcare organizations, and legal teams seeking nursing practice expertise — reach out to discuss a case or engagement.