Debra Craighead, PhD
Professor, Nursing

Education

Ph D

2012, Nursing
The University of Texas at Tyler

MSN

1993, Masters in Nursing
Northwestern State University

BSN

1983, Nursing
Northwestern State University

Biographical Sketch

Debra Vela Craighead PhD, RN, CNL has been at ULM for over 10 years and has served as a part-time Clinical Skills Lab coordinator, undergraduate Assistant/Associate professor, and graduate Professor. She received her BSN from Northwestern State University (NSU) in 1983, MSN from NSU (1993), and her PhD in Nursing from the University of Texas at Tyler (2012). Debra has been a nurse educator for over 30 years, and currently serves as Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) graduate faculty and CNL Track Leader in the Kitty DeGree School of Nursing. The program has earned Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accreditation twice since 2016, and was ranked sixth out of the 20 Top Online Programs for Clinical Nurse Leadership by Healthcare Management Degrees Guide. Debra is a Certified CNL (2017), earned a Quality Matters (QM) Online Teaching in Higher Education certificate (2018) and a QM Certified Peer Reviewer (2023). She conducts research focused on nursing education, storytelling, PTSD and has published and presented nationally and internationally. Debra has secured grants and professorship funds for various scholarly endeavors. By far, teaching pediatrics, evidence-based practice, and nursing leadership at the Rebekah Ann Naylor Institute of Nursing in Bangalore India (2018 and 2023) are her most meaningful professional experiences. Debra serves the University on numerous committees, and willingly shares her passion for teaching, service, and research.

Licensure & Certification

Clinical Nurse Leader, AACN. (February 2017 - Present)

Registered Nurse, National Counsel of State Boards of Nursing. (January 2020 - January 2024)

Recent Publications

Craighead, D. V. (2012). Early term birth: Understanding the health risk to infants (pp. 138-145). Nursing for Women’s Health.

Craighead, D. V., Elswick, J. (2014). The influence of early term birth on NICU admission, length of stay, and breastfeeding initiation and duration (pp. 409-421). . Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing.

Research Grants

Craighead, D. V. (Co-Principal), Glaze, D. (Co-Principal), "Envision Nursing" (Funded), Sponsored By Academic Innovation Center, The University of Louisiana at Monroe, $1429.40. (2017 - Present).

Awards & Honors

March 2015 Finalist 2015 Best of JOGNN Writing Award.

August 2014  Kitty DeGree School of Nursing Endowed Professorship 2014-2017.

August 2013  Kitty DeGree School of Nursing Endowed Professorship .

April 2012  Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses 2012 Novice Researcher Award .

May 1995 College of Life Sciences Louisiana Tech University Outstanding Teacher Award 1995.

Courses Taught

NURS 2004HEALTH ASSESSMENT, 2 course(s)

NURS 2009FUND PROF NURSING PRACTICE, 5 course(s)

NURS 3034NURSING OF CHILDREN, 13 course(s)

NURS 4001NSG RESEARCH EBP, 6 course(s)

NURS 4026RESEARCH, 1 course(s)

NURS 4029EDUCATION, 10 course(s)

NURS 4030NURSING RESEARCH, 9 course(s)

NURS 4038Education, 2 course(s)

NURS 5002RESEARCH EBP, 10 course(s)

NURS 5003HEALTH POLICY & GLOBAL HEALTH, 11 course(s)

NURS 5010RESEARCH II, 8 course(s)

NURS 5012ADV PHYS ASSESS FOR CNL, 3 course(s)

NURS 5013ROLE DVLPMNT CNL, 3 course(s)

NURS 5014PERSON MGMT I, 1 course(s)

NURS 5024PERSON MGMT II, 1 course(s)

NURS 5039HC ECONOMICS & FINANCE, 1 course(s)

Debra Craighead, PhD Professor, Nursing