Carol Flaten, DNP, MS, RN, PHN

Carol Flaten, DNP, RN, PHN, is a distinguished Clinical Professor at the University of Minnesota School of Nursing. Dr. Flaten's commitment to innovative education is evidenced by her participation in the Faculty Leads program, designed to enhance leadership skills among emerging faculty leaders. Her expertise extends to curriculum development, as demonstrated by her award-winning work integrating LGBTQ content into BSN programs, recognized by the International Society of Psychiatric Mental Health Nurses. Dr. Flaten has been on the forefront of integrating simulation into the pre-licensure curricula. In 2018, she received the Award for Innovative International Initiatives for her part in developing a groundbreaking study abroad program in partnership with the University of Limerick in Ireland. This program, the first of its kind in Minnesota, allows nursing students to study abroad for a full semester while completing clinical practicums. Throughout her career, Dr. Flaten has consistently shown dedication to advancing nursing education and preparing students for global healthcare challenges. Currently, Dr. Flaten is a team member on an American Nurses Foundation, Big Ten Nurse Readiness grant that introduces Virtual Reality into nursing curriculum.

DNP, University of Minnesota
Major: Public Health Nursing

MS, University of Minnesota
Major: Public Health Nursing

BSN, St. Olaf College
Major: Nursing

• Public Health Nurse, Minnesota Board of Nursing
• Registered Nurse, Minnesota Board of Nursing

• Book of the Year Award, American Journal of Nursing, 2024
• Diversity and Inclusivity Award, University of Minnesota School of Nursing, 2019
• C. Eugene Allen Award for Innovative International Studies, University of Minnesota GPS Alliance, 2018
• E. Louise Grant Award, University of Minnesota School of Nursing, 2015
• Daisy Award for Teaching Social Engagement, University of Minnesota School of Nursing, 2012
• E. Louise Grant Award, University of Minnesota School of Nursing, 2011

• American Nurses Association
• Association of Community Health Nurse Educators
• Midwest Nursing Research Society
• Sigma Theta Tau

Bliss, D. Z., Steffes, M., Wilson, N., Olson, E. T., Sherraden Bradley, C., Flaten, C., Gurvich, O. V., Bastian, L., Laine Dyreson, J., Weinberger, A., Conway, M., & Becker, A. (2025). An augmented reality system for enhancing a didactic baccalaureate nursing course. Journal of Nursing Education, 64(2), 81-89. https://doi.org/10.3928/01484834-20240925-01 

Bliss, D. Z., Timko Olson, E., Flaten, C., Bradley, C. S., Gurvich, O. V., Jantraporn, R., Conway, M., Weinberger, A., Kirchschlager, C., Hayden, A., Sund, L., Garcia, A., Mullen, N., Condon, J., & Becker, A. (2024). Development and evaluation of a bariatric mannequin simulation system. Computers, Informatics, Nursing, 43(4). https://doi.org/10.1097/CIN.0000000000001231 

Flaten, C., & Gingerich, S. D. (2024). Population health. In D. Schadewald (Ed.), Zaccagnini and White's core competencies for Advanced Practice Nursing: A guide for DNPs (pp. 79-112). Jones and Bartlett.

Bradley, C. S., Aebersold, M., DiClemente, L., Flaten, C., Muehlbauer, M., & Loomis, A. (2024). Breaking boundaries: How immersive virtual reality is reshaping nursing education. Journal of Nursing Regulation. 15(2), 28-37. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2155-8256(24)00053 

Kirk, L., Eull, D., Flaten, C., & Paun, O. (2023). Combating social isolation in older adults: An intergenerational nursing communication project. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 61(10), 7-11. https://doi.org/10.3928/02793695-20230915-02 

Ness, M., Bradley, C. S., Flaten, C. B. (2023). Gender affirming post-op care simulation for pre-licensure nursing students: A pilot [roject. Clinical Simulation in Nursing, 81(101432). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecns.2023.101432 

Flaten, C. B., Pechacek, J. M., Potter, T. M., & Mueller, C. (2023). Planetary health in nursing curricula: How one school transformed nursing curricula as they integrated planetary health concepts with the 2021 AACN essentials. Journal of Professional Nursing, 49, 52-56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2023.08.010 

Bradley, C. S., Bliss, D. Z., Becker, A., Olson, E. T., Flaten, C., Gurvich, O. V., Muehlbauer, M., Condon, J., & Bauer, J. (2023). Development and evaluation of a wearable simulator system. Clinical Simulation in Nursing, 81, Article 101428. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecns.2023.101428 

Benike, L., Darst, E., Witwer, S., Enos, M., Flaten, C., Bartley, L. H., Kubat, B., & Foote, J. (2023). The ambulatory Dedicated Education Unit (DEU): An important example of academic practice partnership in ambulatory care. Journal of Professional Nursing, 45, 64-70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2023.01.009 

O'Donnell, C., O'Brien, B., Markey, K., McCarthy, J., Flaten, C., Mueller, C., Leinen, E., Martin, K., & Graham, M. M. (2022). Transatlantic collaborations: Baccalaureate nursing students' experiences of participating in a semester-long study abroad program. Nursing Education Perspectives, 43(6), 357-362. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NEP.0000000000001000 

Bliss, D. Z., Becker, A. J., Gurvich, O. V., Bradley, C. S., Olson, E. T., Steffes, M. T., Flaten, C., Jameson, S., & Condon, J. P. (2022). Projected augmented reality (P-AR) for enhancing nursing education about pressure injury: A pilot evaluation study. Journal of Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing, 49(2), 128-136. https://doi.org/10.1097/WON.0000000000000858 

Kerr, M. J., Flaten, C., Honey, M. L., Gargantua-Aguila, S. del R., Nahcivan, N. O., Martin, K. S., & Monsen, K. A. (2016). Feasibility of using the Omaha System for community-level observations. Public Health Nursing, 33(3), 256-263. https://doi.org/10.1111/phn.12231 

Bradley, C. D., Aebersold, M., Loomis, A., Flaten, C., Pitzl, K., & Aga, R. "Measuring Outcomes of Immersive Virtual Reality Using AI-Driven Data Analytics: Perspectives from Academia and Practice," Society for Simulation in Healthcare International Meeting on Simulation in Healthcare, Orlando, FL. (January 2025).

Armstrong, E. M., Bradley, C. D., & Flaten, C. "Immersive Virtual Reality in Nursing Didactic Courses: Bringing the Patient to the Classroom," American Association of Colleges of Nursing Transform Conference, New Orleans, LA. (December 2024).

Bradley, C. D., & Flaten, C. "Redefining Clinical Competence Assessment: A Modern Approach for Nursing Programs," American Association of Colleges of Nursing Transform Conference, New Orleans, LA. (December 2024).

Bradley, C. D., Aebersold, M., Loomis, A. L., & Flaten, C. "Clinical Competence Assessment: Using Multi-Patient VR Data Analytics in Competency-Based Education," National League for Nursing Education Summit, San Antonio, TX. (September 2024).

Bradley, C. D., & Flaten, C. "Charting the Course: Navigating Curricular VR Integration in Nursing Education," ATI Nursing Education National Nurse Educator Summit, Salt Lake City, UT. (April 2024).

Flaten, C., & Pechacek, J. "Planetary Health: Integration in DNP Curriculum Development," American Association of Colleges of Nursing Doctoral Education Conference, Coronado, CA. (January 2023).

Flaten, C., & Pechacek, J. "Innovative Curriculum Design in Nursing: A Focus on Care Coordination in Alignment with the 2021 AACN Essentials," American Association of Colleges of Nursing Transform Conference, Orlando, FL. (December 2023).

Bradley, C. S., Ness, M., & Flaten, C. "Infusing Gender-Diverse Trauma-Informed Care in Nursing Education," National League for Nursing Education Summit, Washington, DC. (September 2023).

Flaten, C., Kirk, L., & Emery, D. "Writing Enriched Curriculum in Nursing: An Integrative Model," Arizona State University Development and Evaluation of a Wearable Simulator System, Tempe, AZ. (June 2023).

Flaten, C. "Baccalaureate Nursing Student Experiences Participating in a Semester-Long Study Abroad Program," Nursing Education and Practice 13th Edition, Virtual Conference Innovic, London, United Kingdom. (March 2023).

Award: The Big 10 Practice-Ready Nurse Initiative
Principal Investigator: Bradley, Cynthia D.
Sponsoring Organization: American Nurses Foundation
Award Dates: 2022 - 2025

Award: Development of a Bariatric Mannequin System to Enable Realistic Examination Simulations of Obese Patients
Principal Investigators: Rolfes, Lucas & Becker, Adam
Sponsoring Organization: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Award Dates: 2021 - 2023

Award: Augmented Reality System for the Education of Clinical Caregivers of Older Adults
Principal Investigator: Becker, Adam
Sponsoring Organization: National Institute on Aging
Award Dates: 2019 - 2023
 
Award: A Wearable Health Simulator
Principal Investigator: Rolfes, Lucas
Sponsoring Organization: National Institute of General Medical Sciences
Award Dates: 2020 - 2022