Her Story
About Dionne
Dr. Dionne DeMille, DNP-ExL, RN, is a dedicated nursing educator and clinical leader at Nightingale College, a nationwide virtual institution based in Salt Lake City. With 26 years of progressive nursing experience, she brings expertise spanning nursing education, long-term care management, MDS coordination, home health, geriatric nursing, and community health training. In her current role, she teaches online courses within the BSN program, facilitates virtual clinical debriefs, provides individualized coaching, and mentors students as they navigate academic and professional challenges. She is particularly passionate about supporting nursing students with disabilities and helping individuals overcome barriers to pursuing a career in nursing.
DeMille’s professional journey reflects her determination and commitment to lifelong learning. After leaving high school without graduating and becoming a single mother of five, she returned to school and earned her LPN, followed by her RN around 2014–2015, BSN, MSN, and ultimately her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree in April. She credits her success to stubbornness, determination, and a refusal to allow challenges to define what she could accomplish. Her children have remained an important source of motivation, inspiring her to demonstrate that limitations do not have to prevent someone from achieving their goals. At Nightingale College, she developed a structured program to help faculty support nursing students with disabilities in clinical settings, establishing a formal connection between the ADA Coordinator and nursing faculty. Her contributions have earned her the I.M. Nightingale Award from the college twice.
Beyond nursing education, DeMille has a longstanding passion for geriatric nursing and has dedicated approximately 25 years to serving as a disaster nurse with the American Red Cross. She is actively involved with the National League for Nursing, Utah Nurses Association, and Sigma Theta Tau, where she serves as a board member for the Nightingale College chapter. She also contributes to Docs With Disabilities, reflecting her broader commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and health equity. Through education, mentorship, disaster service, and advocacy, Dr. DeMille is committed to empowering future nurses and demonstrating that perseverance, support, and determination can help individuals overcome significant obstacles and create meaningful careers in healthcare.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Dionne
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my determination, resilience, and refusal to give up when faced with challenges. I have always been persistent and committed to moving forward, even when circumstances are difficult. My children are a significant source of motivation, and I strive to set a positive example for them by demonstrating that limitations and obstacles do not have to define what is possible. I want them to see that with perseverance, confidence, and a willingness to keep pushing forward, you can accomplish far more than you may initially believe.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have received has come from the mentors who encouraged me to recognize the value of my work and use my experience to create meaningful change. Bethany Copper, my current team and function manager, and Diane Johnson have both been important mentors throughout my career, particularly as I developed my doctoral project focused on supporting students with disabilities in nursing. Their guidance encouraged me to turn an important need into practical solutions, leading me to develop a program that helps faculty better support students with disabilities in clinical settings. That program is now implemented at Nightingale College, reinforcing for me the importance of mentorship, advocacy, and using your expertise to make a lasting impact.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the nursing profession is not to let perceived limitations prevent you from pursuing your goals. There is always a way forward, even when the path may look different than you originally imagined. Seek out mentors who will support you, challenge you, and genuinely cheer you on, and never be afraid to acknowledge when you need help. I also encourage women to become actively involved in professional organizations such as the American Nurses Association, where they can build meaningful connections, advocate for their profession, and help create positive change within healthcare.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the greatest challenges in nursing today is burnout. Nurses can become discouraged and overwhelmed by the demands of the profession, sometimes losing sight of the passion and purpose that initially led them to nursing. I believe it is important to prioritize well-being through practices such as mindfulness, while also staying connected to the broader profession. Becoming involved in professional organizations can provide opportunities to build support networks, advocate for meaningful improvements, and contribute to positive change within nursing.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me in both my professional and personal life are mindfulness, compassion, advocacy, and a commitment to continuous growth. I believe in being intentional about maintaining balance and well-being while remaining present and engaged in the work I do. I also value empowering the next generation of nurses by encouraging them to become involved in professional organizations such as the American Nurses Association, where they can build meaningful connections, advocate for their profession, and play an active role in creating positive change.
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