Frankie Bell, DNP
300 S. New Street, Dover DE 19904
302.736.2451
fbell [at] desu.edu
Education
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Capella University, 2022
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Chamberlain University, 2016
Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (AAS)
Middlesex County College, 2014
Research Interests/Area
Dr. Bell’s scholarly and professional interests include nursing education, simulation-based learning, professional identity and confidence, nurse well-being, workforce sustainability and retention, nursing professional development, nurse coaching, mentorship, leadership development, psychological safety, and healthy work environments.
Her interests center on strengthening the nursing workforce through education, professional development, mentorship, coaching, and evidence-based strategies that support clinical competence, professional growth, and workforce sustainability.
Professional Memberships
- American Nurses Association
- Delaware Nurses Association
- National Black Nurses Association
- Black Nurses Association of Maryland Eastern Shore
- Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing
- National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA)
Publications
Selected publications include:
- Bell, F. “Reclaiming the Nurse Within: Self-Care as an Ethical Imperative.” American Nurse Journal, 2026.
- Bell, F. “Translational Simulation: Beyond Training to System Transformation.” DNA Reporter, 2025.
- Bell, F. “The Importance of Mentoring and Coaching in Nursing.” 2024.
- Bell, F. “Shared Governance at Night.” Nursing Management, 2017.
Honors & Awards
- Adjunct Professor of the Year, Delaware State University, 2025–2026
- Delaware Today Top Nurse-Entrepreneur, 2025
- Delaware Today Top Nurse – Clinical Educator, 2024
- National Black Nurses Association/Johnson & Johnson Nurse Innovation Fellow, 2024–2025
- Bayhealth COVID Hero, 2020
- Galaxy Award, 2017
Teaching
Dr. Bell serves as Clinical Coordinator in the Department of Nursing at Delaware State University, where she supports the coordination of clinical education and the preparation of nursing students for clinical practice.
She has also served as adjunct nursing faculty and as a clinical laboratory and simulation instructor at Delaware State University.
Her teaching interests include clinical nursing education, simulation-based learning, clinical reasoning, patient safety, professional development, mentorship, competency development, and supporting students as they develop their professional nursing identity and transition into practice.
Dr. Bell is committed to creating supportive and engaging learning environments that promote clinical competence, critical thinking, professional confidence, accountability, and lifelong learning.
Additional Information
Dr. Frankie Bell is a Doctor of Nursing Practice-prepared registered nurse, nursing professional development specialist, board-certified nurse coach, educator, clinician, and nursing leader. Her professional experience spans acute care nursing, nursing education, simulation, nursing professional development, clinical coordination, and leadership.
Her work is grounded in a commitment to preparing confident, competent nurses and strengthening the environments in which nurses learn and practice. She has a particular interest in supporting professional identity development, clinical judgment, mentorship, nurse well-being, and workforce sustainability.
Dr. Bell has been recognized for her contributions to nursing education, professional development, and innovation and has presented on topics related to nursing education, leadership, professional development, cultural competence, nurse well-being, and workforce development.
She remains actively engaged in clinical nursing practice, allowing her to bring contemporary bedside experience and real-world clinical perspectives into her work with nursing students and the academic community.