Nursing Faculty & Staff
Program Director—Nursing
Dr. Seth Carey is originally from Nashville, Tennessee. In 2015 he completed his Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) with a minor in psychology from Lipscomb University. In 2018. Dr. Carey completed his Masters of Science in Nursing Education (MSN Ed.) from Middle Tennessee State University. Additionally, in 2023 Dr. Carey completed his Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from Western Kentucky University.
Dr. Carey’s nursing career has allowed him to practice in various clinical settings including pediatrics, adult medicine, neuro, spine, kidney/liver transplant, hematology, oncology, bone marrow transplant, geriatrics, and geriatric psych. In 2016, Dr. Carey began teaching nursing students in the clinical setting and in 2018 became full-time in nursing education. His experience in education emphasizes the connection of clinical, classroom, and simulation. He has held previous leadership experience as a program coordinator and Associate Dean of Nursing. Dr. Carey has taught a wide array of courses including: pathophysiology, pharmacology, adult health, pediatrics, leadership, NCLEX prep, and preceptorship.
Dr. Carey is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society, National League for Nurses (NLN), Indiana Nurses Association, American Nurses Association (ANA), a BLS instructor, BLS/ACLS certified, and biotherapy/chemotherapy certified. Additionally, he is a board member of the Indiana Nurses Foundation and a Certified Nurse Educator (CNE). He was a recipient of the daisy award in 2019, which recognizes exceptional nurses in the field.
In 2023, Dr. Carey joined Butler University as the Founding Nursing Program Director. Outside of Butler, Dr. Carey works as a Registered Nurse (RN) at Riley Children’s Hospital on the pediatric hematology/oncology unit.
Krista Searles completed her Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) at Indiana Wesleyan University in 2008 and her Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Nursing Education at Indiana University in 2015. She is currently completing a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing at Indiana University, with expected completion in May 2025. Her research focuses on strategies for measuring and improving clinical reasoning in prelicensure nursing students. Krista has clinical expertise in pediatrics and critical care, and she has been teaching nursing in various roles for 15 years.
Deborah Spoerner earned her Bachelors of Science in nursing (BSN) from Indiana University, a Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) from Saint Louis University. A board certified pediatric nurse practitioner, she has more than 30 years of clinical experience working with children and families.