Nursing

Aspen’s online nursing programs offers Registered Nurses the opportunity to earn their bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree in nursing. Since most of our students are working full-time while earning their degree, our programs offer flexible scheduling and a premier online classroom.

Aspen’s Pre-licensure bachelor’s program provides students with opportunities to become a BSN-educated nurse and learn the essential skills needed to practice as a professional Registered Nurse in a hybrid format. The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, the master’s degree program in nursing, and the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Aspen University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

Bachelor’s Degrees

Aspen University supports undergraduate students by providing a well-rounded foundation in the arts and sciences on which to build the balance of their studies. See undergraduate program information in the Academic Catalog to determine the specific general education coursework recommended or required for each undergraduate program.

Master’s Degrees

Doctoral Degrees

 

Health Sciences

The School of Nursing & Health Sciences offers online Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Psychology and Addiction Studies as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Health Care Administration.

Bachelor’s Degrees

Aspen University supports undergraduate students by providing a well-rounded foundation in the arts and sciences on which to build the balance of their studies. See undergraduate program information in the Academic Catalog to determine the specific general education coursework recommended or required for each undergraduate program.

Master’s Degrees

Chief Nurse Administrator: Dr. Nina Beaman

Be the change that you wish to see in the world.
Mahatma Gandhi
Dr. Nina Beaman

Dr. Nina Beaman is certified in four different distinct areas.  She is a National League for Nursing Certified Nurse Education, holds a certificate as an AANC Psychiatric Mental Health nurse, is a NCC certified Ambulatory Women’s Health Nurse, and is an AAMA Certified Medical Assistant.

Dr. Beaman grew up in Lebanon, Egypt, Syria, the Philippines, and Malta. Beaman earned her Doctorate in Education from Walden University, a Master in Nursing on the nursing administration track from Aspen University, a Master in Health Psychology from Capella University, a Bachelor of Arts from Randolph Macon College, and an Associate Degree in Nursing from John Tyler Community College.  She also has an Associate Degree in Business from Luther Rice College and a Diplome D’Etudes Francaises from the University of Nice in Nice, France.

Dr. Beaman has been in academia as well as a practicing nurse in a variety of venues for over 20 years.  She has served in leadership positions with the American Psychiatric Nurses Associate, International Association of Forensic Nurses, American Association of Medical Assistants, Virginia League for Nursing, Virginia Nurses Association, Legislative Coalition of Virginia Nurses, Virginia Section of the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses, and Virginia Society of Medical Assistants.  She also actively serves as a Medical Reserve Corps volunteer.  Dr. Beaman is a frequent conference presenter and author of numerous books and monographs.

Dean (Distance Education): Marc Gayol, Ed.D., MSN, MPH, RN, CNE, CPH

It is not true that people stop pursuing dreams because they grow old, they grow old because they stop pursuing dreams.
Gabriel García Márquez
Marc Gayol, Ed.D., MSN, MPH, RN, CNE, CPH

Dr. Marc Gayol is a double board-certified registered nurse – in both Nursing Education & Public Health. He is an active member with the National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN), the American Nurses Association (ANA), The American Association for Men in Nursing (AAMN), the National League for Nursing (NLN), the Association of Public Health Nurses (APHN) and the Alpha Beta Alpha chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) Honor Society of Nursing. He earned his Doctorate in Education Leadership, his Master of Science in Nursing, his Master degree in Public Health, and his Bachelor of Science in Psychology. 

Dr. Gayol started his career in the U.S. Army as a medic and has continued working in the healthcare industry for more than 30 years, serving as a practicing nurse, mentor, entrepreneur, and administrator as well as serving in senior leadership roles both in private and public sectors within areas of education, public health, informatics, and healthcare administration & management. 

Dr. Gayol has a particular interest in assisting and supporting immigrants and other vulnerable populations who are often unable to access healthcare and educational services. He is active on the Board of Directors with the Florida Nurses Association (FNA) and is politically involved in state and national movements in support of universal healthcare and policy reform to increase access to comprehensive, culturally-sensitive education and healthcare services. 

Dean (BSN Pre-licensure): Jenny Erkfitz, EdD, MSN, RN

I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.
Louisa May Alcott
Jenny Erkfitz, EdD, MSN, RN

Dr. Jenny Erkfitz has a background in adult critical care, where she practiced as a CCRN. Nursing, however, is her second career, as is the experience of so many other nurses. Jenny came to nursing via banking and earned a BA in Healthcare Management from an online university. She then pursued her BSN at Indiana University through the second-degree BSN program. This is where she was introduced to high-fidelity simulations. She then completed the MSN-Nursing Education program where she was able to explore bringing simulations to online nursing education as a standard and the Doctor of Education program at Aspen University.

Dr. Erkfitz lives with her family in the country, where they enjoy spending time outside. She invites anyone who has questions about online education to contact her, and she will share firsthand why this is such a great option for busy nurses looking to further their education.

 

Associate Dean (Distance Education): Tracy Lookingbill, DNP, MSN, RN, NEA-BC

Do one thing every day that scares you.
Eleanor Roosevelt
Tracy Lookingbill, DNP, MSN, RN, NEA-BC

Dr. Tracy Lookingbill has practiced within the nursing profession for the past 20 years as a registered nurse. She has experience in graduate and undergraduate degree programs within online platforms as well as on-ground programs. Dr. Lookingbill has earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree from Aspen University, a Master’s of Science in Nursing, Leadership and Management, and a Bachelor’s of Nursing degree from Western Governors University. Since 2010, Dr. Lookingbill has supported online higher education programs as faculty and program leadership roles.

Dr. Lookingbill believes education creates knowledge empowerment helping to advance individual professional goals. Additionally, she supports a basis for life-long learning and professional engagement. She began her nursing career as an LPN and supported various specialties within nursing. Dr. Lookingbill’s previous experience includes emergency nursing, labor and delivery, and healthcare administration leadership. Much of her career has focused on aspects of community and public health, advocating for vulnerable populations and at-risk communities. She has a passion for the ongoing advancement of healthcare policy and innovation. Dr. Lookingbill is a member of the National League of Nursing and Sigma Theta Tau.

Program Director, Graduate Nursing: Kristin Arrindell, DNP, MSN-Ed., RN, CNE


Kristin Arrindell, DNP, MSN-Ed., RN, CNE

Kristin has over 17 years of professional nursing experience which was preceded by 3 years spent as a Nurse Technician and Certified Nursing Assistant. During her service in the U.S. Army, she functioned as a Certified Combat Lifesaver. Kristin’s clinical nursing years have been spent largely in labor and delivery with additional service as a Certified Neonatal Resuscitation Program instructor and Certified Prepared Childbirth instructor.

Kristin transitioned into academia after completing a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree because of her passion for preparing tomorrow’s nursing leaders and innovators. She believes in a collective service to society with an aim to empower one another to achieve their full potential. Throughout her academic nursing career, she has served as faculty within undergraduate and graduate programs, as a DNP Program Coordinator position, and in the Assistant Director of Graduate Nursing Programs position at Aspen University.

Kristin is also an Aspen alumnus with a special place in her heart for Aspen students, faculty, and organization. Additionally, she is a Certified Nurse Educator and an active member of the American Nurses Association, Hawaii Nurses Association, National League for Nursing, Delta Epsilon Tau Honor Society, and Aspen University Honor Society of Nursing.

Program Director, RN to BSN: Shakeeka Misher, DNP, MSN, RN, NE-BC, MNN

People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
Maya Angelou
Shakeeka Misher, DNP, MSN, RN, NE-BC, MNN

Dr. Shakeeka Misher’s clinical background is in labor and delivery and women’s health and has been in academia since 2013 with experience in pre-licensure, RN-BSN completion, MSN, and doctoral level nursing programs. She focuses on mentorship by leading faculty, supporting student success, relevant curriculum development. She is board certified as a Nurse Executive (NE-BC) and in Maternal Newborn Nursing (MNN). Dr. Misher obtained her Doctorate of Nursing Practice in Leadership, her Master of Science in Nursing Education, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Dr. Misher is a member of professional organizations that include the American Nurse Association, National League for Nursing, Association of Women’s Health, Obstetrics, and Neonatal Nurses, DNPs of Color, American Association of Nurse Practitioners, and the American College of Nurse Midwives. Dr. Misher believes in lifelong learning and leading by example with passion, increasing equity in healthcare access and resources, and collaboration across disciplines. 

Program Director, BSN Pre-Licensure (Texas): Dr. Gabriel Oluwakotanmi. DNP, MSN, APRN, RN

Not all those who wander are lost.
J.R.R. Tolkien
Dr. Gabriel Oluwakotanmi. DNP, MSN, APRN, RN

Dr. Gabriel Oluwakotanmi has been a nurse for more than 32 years.  His career as a bedside nurse in the intensive care unit, nurse leader, consultant, nurse educator, academician, and keynote speaker in the United States and abroad has spanned over severe years. His professional experience includes teaching in undergraduate and graduates nursing programs online and in the classrooms, subject matter, expert writing, course, curriculum development, and nursing program dean, and director. Dr. Oluwakotanmi is an expert NCLEX reviewer and has more than 600 presentations locally and internationally. He was three times the keynote speaker for the World Nursing Conference in Las Vegas-USA, Rome-Italy, and London-England in 2017, 2018, and 2019. 

Dr. Gabriel Oluwakotanmi has received several awards over the year. Summa cum laude at Malcolm X College in Chicago, Magna cum laude at Olivet Nazarene University, and Magna cum laude at Governors State University. He also received a certificate of special congressional recognition from US Congresswoman Dina Titus in 2014. In 2014, Dr. Oluwakotanmi received a certificate of commendation from United States Senator Harry Reid. 2018 received the South Texas Imagemakers award by Texas Nurses Association.   

Dr. Oluwakotanmi is the author of several articles for the nursing profession and leads the team that created RN-BSN, BSN, and MSN programs in many universities. He is happily married with children and grandchildren. He enjoys reading, teaching, and outdoor activities.

Program Director, Pre-Licensure (Nashville): Kayla Cross, DNP, RN, CNE, CPN

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.
Eleanor Roosevelt
Kayla Cross, DNP, RN, CNE, CPN

Dr. Kayla Cross has been in the nursing profession as a registered nurse for over 13 years and in nursing academia for 7 years. She is a Certified Nurse Educator through the National League of Nursing and a Certified Pediatric Nurse through the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board. She earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Cumberland University. 

Dr. Cross has membership in the American Nurses Association, Tennessee Nurses Association, and Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. 

Dr. Cross has a strong desire to educate and inspire students in the wonderful profession of nursing.

Program Director, Health Sciences: Anne-Marie Coleman, Ph.D., MPH

Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.
Winston S. Churchill
Anne-Marie Coleman, Ph.D., MPH

Dr. Anne-Marie Coleman is a health researcher and practitioner with over 15 years of experience. She is an active member of the Society for Public Health Education and serves on the leadership team for the Georgia Society for Public Health Education. She earned her Doctorate in Public Health with a concentration in Community Health and Health Education, her Master of Public Health with a concentration in Health Administration Policy, her Bachelor of Science in Health Science Education.

She has contributed to the field of health science as a management analyst managing federal grants, health policy analyst mobilizing community transformation health initiatives, health program administrator leading teams towards success in program implementation and evaluation, Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) site visitor ensuring quality assessment and improvement, professor, and instructional designer for both undergraduate and graduate health care programs.

Dr. Coleman is passionate about investing in the next generation of health science professionals and training students on how to positively implement policy, systems, and environmental changes. She is a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and a certified trainer in Health in All Policies (HiAP) with the World Health Organization and is actively engaged in state health initiatives for substance abuse and addiction support, chronic disease prevention and maternal and child health efforts in Georgia.

Program Director, BSN Pre-licensure (Florida): Barbara Fisher, Ph.D, MSN, RN

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart
Helen Keller
Barbara Fisher, Ph.D, MSN, RN

Barbara Fisher has practiced within the nursing profession for over 30 years as a registered nurse.  She has worked in nursing academia at both the graduate and undergraduate levels as both adjunct and full-time faculty. Over the past 15 years she has served in many administrative & leadership capacities at the BSN level for both the private and public sectors.  

 Dr. Fisher earned her Master of Science in Nursing degree from Boston University, and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree from the State University of New York: Plattsburgh.   She completed her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Argosy University. Dr. Fisher is passionate about serving nursing education that will produce nurses of excellence to practice care of the highest quality and advance to more pivotal roles for the advancement of quality and equity of healthcare on a local, national, and global level.