Nursing faculty member appointed to certification board

Aug. 3, 2026 — DENTON — Rachelle Campbell, DNP, APRN, an associate clinical professor in the College of Nursing, has been appointed as a commissioner on the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB), where she will help guide the national organization responsible for certifying nurse practitioners across the United States.
 
Campbell said her service on the board allows her to bring firsthand knowledge of national certification trends and evolving competencies back to TWU, helping keep the university's nurse practitioner curriculum aligned with national expectations.
 
"As a commissioner, I help provide governance and strategic oversight for the national certification organization that certifies nurse practitioners across the United States," Campbell said. "Serving as a commissioner gives me the opportunity to help uphold those standards while ensuring the certification process continues to evolve alongside healthcare and advanced practice nursing."
 
Campbell's responsibilities include reviewing policies, evaluating certification standards, supporting examination integrity and fairness, participating in committee work and contributing to decisions that support the continued competence of nurse practitioners.
 
She said her experience as an educator and program director has allowed her to help bridge the gap between nurse practitioner education and certification.
 
"Because I work closely with students, faculty and practicing clinicians, I understand the challenges of preparing graduates who are both certification-ready and practice-ready," Campbell said. "I have been able to help ensure that board decisions consider both educational preparation and the realities of clinical practice."
 
Campbell said her service on the AANPCB will directly benefit TWU students.
 
"Our students benefit because I have firsthand knowledge of certification trends, evolving competencies and the future direction of nurse practitioner practice," she said. "This insight helps ensure our curriculum remains aligned with national expectations while preparing graduates who are ready not only to pass certification but to excel in clinical practice."
 
Campbell's term extends through December 2027, with the opportunity to seek an additional three-year term.

Page last updated 3:59 PM, August 3, 2026