Today’s Spotlight shines on Dr. Robert Cooks, who completed his Doctor of Nursing Practice program in March 2024. Rob’s inspiring journey involves extensive military service, multiple college degrees, and a valuable doctoral project. Read on to learn more about his accomplishments.
I enlisted into the U.S. Air Force directly out of high school as an Aerospace Medicine Technician. Growing up with limited means, I saw the military as the best way to secure funds for a college education. In my family, higher education beyond high school was a rarity. I spent ten years in active duty as an aerospace medicine technician and while serving I obtained my Associate of Applied Science in Health Science. Then I transferred to the Air National Guard which allowed me to maintain my part-time military job status and enroll in college full-time to pursue a nursing degree. I obtained my Associate Degree in Nursing in 2004, and then my Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2007. I was commissioned as an Officer in the Air Force Nurse Corps after obtaining my initial RN degree. I worked as a critical care ER/ICU/Flight Nurse in both civilian and military settings until my Air Force Reserve retirement in 2013, serving a total of 22 years in the military. At this point, I was accepted into Nurse Anesthesiology School and graduated with a Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia in 2017. After a couple of years as a nurse anesthesiologist, I wanted to go further to obtain my doctoral degree and chose Aspen University because of their benefits and easy payment plan.
My goal to pursue a doctorate encompassed utilizing learned skills through evidence-based practices to change procedures and policies on our labor and delivery floor regarding our labor epidural consent process. I recognized that the current practice was not standardized and could pose unnecessary risk or injury to our laboring patients. Our labor and delivery unit now uses current practices put into place following my DNP project goals which provide a safer method of obtaining informed consent on laboring patients for their labor epidural placement.
All of my DNP professors at Aspen University were paramount to my success. I could not have achieved such success without Dr. Da-Vida White, my DNP Chair; I appreciate her meticulous guidance and outstanding availability throughout my project courses. I highly recommend Aspen University, especially to those who have served. Thank you!