College leadership Dr. Raelene Brooks presented at annual DNP event

University of Phoenix College of Nursing Dean Raelene Brooks, Ph.D., RN, contributed to the proceedings of the 17th National Doctors of Nursing Practice Conference and Academy of Doctoral Prepared Nurses Summit that took place June 25-27 in Key West, Florida. Brooks was a Mini Podium Presenter speaking on the topic, “Implementing DEI Initiatives: A College of Nursing Scaffolding Approach.” The event brought together nursing professionals from across the country to discuss maximizing systems that improve patient outcomes and strengthen collaboration between healthcare professionals.

“Patients have different experiences and backgrounds that deeply influence their health needs and outcomes,” states Raelene Brooks, Ph.D., RN, dean, College of Nursing. “At the College of Nursing, our Doctor of Nursing Practice program and other offerings are designed to equip our students with the skills to connect with patients on a personal level and better advocate for inclusive and equitable care for everyone.”

The College of Nursing incorporates diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) into its core values and curriculum, aligning with the broader university initiatives. In her presentation, Brooks shared insights into the College’s revision of program and course learning outcomes, integrating cultural diversity, community/public health nursing, global health issues, health promotion, and risk reduction for various vulnerable populations, and how the impact of these changes was measured through faculty and student surveys. Brooks has presented on the diversity objectives of the College at several events in the past year and was a featured speaker at the 2024 Healthcare in the Age of Personalization Virtual Summit held June 5-6, organized by the Glenn Llopis Group (GLLG).

Nursing remains an in-demand and highly visible field, with advanced degrees such as the DNP preparing nurses to meet patient needs in a dynamic environment. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), there is a need for doctoral level preparation in nursing education including factors such as increased complexity of patient care; shortages of nursing personnel which demands a higher level of preparation for leaders who can design and assess care; shortages of doctorally-prepared nursing faculty; and increasing educational expectations for the preparation of other members of the health care team.

In her role as Dean, Brooks has overall accountability for the College of Nursing curriculum and all other academic components including faculty approval and oversight, student satisfaction and retention, academic policy and standards, and program evaluation. Prior to serving as Dean, Brooks was the Associate Dean of the Undergraduate and Graduate Nursing Programs at the University of Phoenix. As a nursing researcher, she studied the long-term outcomes and weight regain in the bariatric surgery population. She has several publications in the areas of critical care and nursing education.

A registered nurse for over 25 years, Brooks has practiced extensively in intensive care, trauma, and critical care in the UC Healthcare System. Completing a master’s in science of nursing education in 2000, she went on to complete her doctorate in Nursing Science with the University of San Diego in 2018. She is a Doris Howell Scholar and an active member of several professional nursing associations including American Association of Colleges of Nursing, National League of Nursing, and Association for Critical Care Nursing. In 2023, she was named to the “Who’s Who in Healthcare: Industry Leaders” List by AZ Business.

The University’s College of Nursing accredited programs prepare students for the delivery of quality, compassionate care. The College’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree program was granted programmatic accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) in March 2022. The accreditation establishes that the DNP program purpose, curriculum, and overall student experience has been evaluated and meets the level of quality for a CCNE-accredited program. The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, and doctor of nursing practice program at University of Phoenix are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

In 2022, the College was recognized as a NEPIN Quality Designee, with the College meeting rigorous criteria established by NEPIN.

Learn more here about University of Phoenix College of Nursing degrees.

About University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, skills-mapped curriculum for our bachelor’s and master’s degree programs and a Career Services for Life® commitment help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit phoenix.edu.

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