Background

Dr. Ralyea earned a diploma from New York's Millard Fillmore Professional School of Nursing. She went on to earn her BSN and MS-NP in Adult Health at Daemen College in Amherst, NY, and served as an Advanced Nurse Practictionor in ICU/telemetry-step down units. Dr. Ralyea further advanced her career in leadership by obtaining an MBA in Healthcare Administration from the University of Phoenix. In 2013, she earned her DNP from Capella University.

Dr. Ralyea's career encompasses over 35 years of leadership experience. Prior to joining the University of South Carolina College of Nursing, she improved quality care and patient experience as Chief Nursing Officer for Prisma Health-Midlands, leading four acute-care and specialty hospitals throughout the Midlands region of South Carolina.

Teaching

Dr. Ralyea began her classroom teaching experience at Queen's University in Charlotte, NC as an instructor of Healthcare Finance and other graduate level leadership courses. In 2020, she was the instructor for USC's NURS 740 Facilitative Processes in Nursing Administration online course.

Later, Dr. Ralyea transitioned as an instrucor for Northeastern University's ABSN program, where she taught ethics, capstone leadership, and pathophysiology-pharmacology courses. Dr. Ralyea also has experience in teaching Population Health and Evidence Based Practice online courses at Walden University.

Research

Dr. Ralyea's research focus is acute health care. Her most recent study included a standardized hospital discharge process engaging the patient and family to support patient care and disposition to the next level of care. 

Dissemination

Dr. Ralyea has presented on a variety of clinical and leadership topics at local, regional, national, and international conferences including The International Clinical Nurse Leader Association, Society for Gynecological Nurse Oncologist, and North Carolina Organization of Nurse Leaders.

Professional Service

• International Clinical Nurse Leader Association (ICNLA) National Board 2024-Current Treasurer and 2025 Conference Planning, Past-President 2021-2024, Past Local Chapter Development Committee Chair 2015-2019
• Commission of Nurse Certification (CNC) Board of Commission 2022-2024, Past-Secretary 2022-2023
• South Carolina American College Healthcare Executives (SCACHE) Board Member and Education Committee Chair 
• American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE)
• Society of Gynecological Nurse Oncologist (SGNO) National Board, Past-Secretary 2018-2020, Past Research Committee Chair 2011-2020
• International Sigma Theta Tau, Nursing National Honor Society
• American Nurses Association (ANA)
• South Carolina Nurses Association (SCNA)
• South Carolina Organization for Nurse Leaders (SCONL)
• Oncology Nurse Society (ONS)
• American Association of Critical Care Nurses (ACCN)

Professional Practice

Dr. Ralyea has practiced in acute care at three health care systems for 45 years.

Publications (selected)

Bemker, M & Ralyea, C. (2024). Population Health Integration for the Advanced Care Practitioner 2^nd Edition.

Bemker, M, Ralyea, C & Whitehead, D. (2024). Advancing Organizations by Exemplary Nursing Leadership.

Bemker, M & Ralyea, C. (2023). Resilience for healthcare workers: Stretched not broken. DEStech Publications, Inc.

Bemker, M, Schreiner, B., Ralyea, C. (2021). Successful Completion of your DNP Project. DEStech Publications, Inc.

Banks-Garnett, D., Brown, P, & Ralyea, T. (2020). Pandemic 2020: Crisis brings opportunity for Clinical Nurse Leaders. Journal of Nursing Care Quality,35(4), 293-294. https://doi.org/1097/NCQ.0000000000000506 

Stewart, C, Ralyea, C. & Lockwood, S. (2019). Ovarian Cancer: An Integrated Review, Seminars in Oncology Nursing, 35(2), 151-156. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soncn.2019.02.001 

Bemker, M & Ralyea, C. (2018). Population Health Integration for the Advanced Care Practitioner.

Hatley, A., Ralyea, T., Buttriss, G. & Rankin, V. (2018). Clarifying Role Expectations and Practice Standards Using a Clinical Nurse Leader Model Illustration, Journal of Nursing Care Quality, 34(3), 269-272. https://doi.org/1097/NCQ.0000000000000370 

Rankin, V, Ralyea, T. & Sotomayor, G (2018). Clinical Nurse Leaders forging the path of population health, Journal of Professional Nursing, 34(4), 269 – 272. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2017.10.008 

Bemker, M, Schreiner, B. & Ralyea, T (2016). DNP Degree & Capstone Project. A Clinical Exemplar: How Does the Implementation of TeamSTEPPS Compare to Current Practice Impact Quality Indicators Over a Six-Month Period?

Gaston, T, Short, N; Ralyea, T, Casterline, G. (2016). Promoting patient safety: Results of a TeamSTEPPS initiative, Journal of Nursing Administration, 46(4), 201-207, https://doi.org/10.1097/NNA.0000000000000333