Dr. Dell Mars, PhD, Associate Professor in the College of Nursing and Health Science Education
Dr. Dell Mars holds a PhD from Hampton University (May 2015). A Master Science of Nursing from Southern University and A&M College (May 1999), and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Southern University and A&M College (May 1993).
Research Interests:
Veteran and Military Research. Tillman, K., Mars, D., White, R., & Rostafin, J. (2024). The Lived Experience of Veteran and Military Nursing Majors Transitioning to College. Journal of Veterans Studies, April 18, 2024, Vol.10, No.1doi: 10.21061/jvs.v10i1.515. Objective: A needs assessment was conducted with a group of veteran and military students enrolled in prerequisite general education courses for a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
Stress Among Nursing Students. LeBlanc, C., Prude, S., Bordelon, A. & Mars, D. (2022). The Exploration of Stress Among Nursing Student: A Qualitative Study. Journal of Nursing Education and Practice, October 2022, Vol. 13, No. Objective: This phenomenological study was to identify stressors nursing students experience and examine the impact of stress on quality of life.
Stress Level of Postoperative Coronary Artery Bypass Graft patients. Mars, D., Coffey, D., Miller, S., Taylor, S., & Rufini, A. (2022). Perceived Stress Level of the Postoperative Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Patients in the Intensive Care Unit. Journal of Nursing Education and Practice, June 2022, Vol. 12, No.6. Objective: To measure the level of stress perceived by postoperative coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients.
Diabetic Education in Rural Communities. Brignac, T., Miller, R. S., & Mars, D. (2020). Diabetic Education in Rural Clinical Practice. Journal of Nursing Education and Practice, July 2020, vol 10, No. 9. Objective: To evaluate the implementation of a diabetes self-management education (DSME) program on glycemic control that was expected to improve staff knowledge and diabetes outcomes.
Diabetic Education in Faith Based Organization. Miller, R. S., & Mars, D. (2020). Effectiveness of a diabetic education intervention with faith-based organization utilizing AADE7. ADCES in Practice, January 2020, pp.10-14. Objective: To investigate the feasibility and potential health impact of a faith-based diabetes education program delivered by health care professionals. A diabetes education and health promotion program were utilized, implementing the AADE7 Self Care Behaviors to assist participants in learning about diabetes and making changes to take control of their health.
Caregivers of Dementia. Mars, D., Davis, B., Montgomery, A., Burns, D., Baker, C., & Coffey, D. (2017). Lived Experience of the African American informal caregivers of a family member with Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementia. The Journal of the Black Nurses Association, December 2017, 28, 19-25. Objective: This qualitative study was to describe the lived experience of African American informal caregivers of family members with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) in a home environment.
My teaching responsibilities include Advanced Concepts in Nursing Practice Lab, a preceptorship course for graduating seniors. Prepares each student to function effectively and efficiently in entry-level caregiver, manager, and team member nursing roles. I also serve as the course coordinator and faculty in Professional Nursing: Transitions & Trends, this course facilitates transitions from the student role to that of beginning professional nurse. In a hybrid setting, students explore legal & ethical principles and core values that contribute to the development of professionalism in nursing.
Key Accomplishments:
I was honored to receive a Service Award of 25 years at Southeastern Louisiana University (Fall 2025). I served as President of Sigma of Rho Zeta Chapter (2022-2024). In May 2021, I was an honoree for the Celebrate Nursing Award, Baton Rouge District Nurses Association and a nominee for the Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nursing Faculty, Sigma’s Rho Zeta Chapter.
