Diane L. Parker

Diane Parker, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, is a Clinical Assistant Professor and Graduate Clinical Coordinator at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, where she has taught in the Family Nurse Practitioner program for the past 10 years. Her focus has been on clinical education and with a recent focus on women’s health. A board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner since 2001, Dr. Parker brings more than two decades of clinical experience to her academic role, preparing future nurse practitioners to excel in primary care.
She earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice in 2020 and has since combined her clinical expertise with a passion for teaching and scholarship. Dr. Parker is committed to innovative nursing education, designing competency-based simulations and clinical learning experiences that bridge the gap between classroom knowledge and real-world patient care. Her academic work emphasizes holistic care approaches, health promotion, and effective communication in the clinical setting.
Dedicated to advancing the nursing profession, Dr. Parker continues to practice in her community while serving as an engaged faculty member at UNCW.

Education

• Post-Master’s Certificate in Nursing Education, University of North Carolina Wilmington (2025)
• DNP, University of North Carolina Wilmington (2020)
• MSN, Family Nurse Practitioner, University of North Carolina Wilmington (2001)
• BSN, Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville, NC (1994)
• ADN, Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA (1987)

Specialization in Teaching

Dr. Parker specializes in teaching Family Nurse Practitioner students in women’s health, primary care, and health promotion across the lifespan. She integrates simulation-based learning, standardized patient encounters, and case-based discussions to prepare students for effective and confident clinical practice.
She is particularly skilled in developing strategies that enhance communication between students and preceptors, ensuring that students learn to present patient information clearly and professionally. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes active engagement, evidence-based practice, and compassionate, patient-centered care.

Research Interests

Dr. Parker’s research focuses on advancing holistic and inclusive approaches to health care delivery in both clinical and academic settings. Her scholarship addresses the health needs of sexual and gender minority youth, with particular emphasis on improving provider-based adolescent screening initiatives.
She is also engaged in developing and evaluating innovative teaching methods, including simulation-based learning, competency assessment, and strategies to strengthen the student-preceptor relationship. Additional interests include women’s health, with a focus on perimenopause, bone health, and evidence-based approaches to health promotion.

Professional Service

Dr. Parker serves as Graduate Clinical Coordinator for the Family Nurse Practitioner program at UNCW, supporting student placement, preceptor development, and clinical site coordination. She also serves as co-advisor for the American Men in Nursing chapter, helping to relaunch the organization. In addition, she is a member of the International Study Abroad Committee and actively plans Study Abroad programs for nursing students across programs. She also contributes to multiple graduate program committees, playing an active role in curriculum development, student support, and program evaluation.
Her professional service extends to mentoring faculty colleagues, collaborating on scholarly presentations, and supporting initiatives that promote inclusivity and excellence in nursing education.

Community Engagement

Dr. Parker remains active in clinical practice as a Family Nurse Practitioner, serving as the primary medical provider at the Juvenile Justice Center through Coastal Horizons. Her clinical work ensures her teaching is grounded in real-world patient care and informs her approach to educating future nurse practitioners.
Her community engagement focuses on improving access to primary care, supporting health literacy, and fostering preventive health practices. Through her dual role as clinician and educator, she helps bridge the gap between academic preparation and clinical practice, contributing to both the health of her community and the professional growth of nursing students.

Honors & Awards

• Invited Hooding Faculty, Doctor of Nursing Practice Commencement Ceremony, University of North Carolina Wilmington (Spring 2025)
• Nurse Educator Certification Scholarship (April 2025)
• Nurses Day Award, NCNA and UNCW School of Nursing (May 2022)
• Leadership Academy Class of 2022, North Carolina Nurses Association (September 2022)
• Nursing Program Award for Academic Excellence, Fayetteville State University (May 1994)
• North Carolina Nurse Scholars Program Awardee (August 1999)