Summary
Jasen Brooks joined the faculty of the Orvis School of Nursing (OSN) at the University of Nevada, Reno in 2020, bringing more than two decades of healthcare experience across clinical practice, leadership, quality improvement, and nursing education. His nursing career began in New York, where he developed expertise in critical care, emergency nursing, staff development, and healthcare leadership before relocating to Nevada in 2014.
A certified wound care clinician since 2012, Professor Brooks has extensive experience in critical care and wound management and remains passionate about advancing evidence-based wound care education and practice. His teaching philosophy centers on creating engaging, inclusive, and meaningful learning experiences that prepare nurses to provide compassionate, high-quality care for diverse populations.
Professor Brooks is deeply committed to fostering equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging within nursing education and healthcare systems. He serves as the Director of Identity and Cultural Engagement for the Orvis School of Nursing Office of Inclusive Excellence and Belonging, and co-chairs the University of Nevada, Reno's Queer and Transgender Leadership Advisory Board (QLAB). His work focuses on creating affirming educational environments, supporting the success of diverse learners, and advancing culturally responsive healthcare.
His scholarly interests include nursing education, simulation-based learning, gamification and gaming theory in healthcare education, wound care education, LGBTQIA+ health equity, homelessness and healthcare, organ and tissue donation, and innovative approaches to experiential learning. He currently serves as a clinician in the StreetReach team, providing healthcare to people experiencing homelessness in the Reno, Nevada community.
In addition to his faculty role, Professor Brooks is pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Education (DNE) degree in the Academic Nurse Educator track at The Ohio State University, with an anticipated graduation date of May 2027.
Research and scholarly interests
- Nursing education and curriculum innovation
- Wound care education, knowledge development, and attitudes toward wound management
- Simulation-based learning and experiential education
- Gamification and gaming theory in nursing education
- LGBTQIA+ health and inclusive healthcare practices
- Health equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging.
- Homelessness, street medicine, and trauma-informed care
- Organ and tissue donation education
- Student engagement and academic success in nursing programs
Selected publications and presentations
Peer-Reviewed Publications
Watts, T., Holston, E. C., Bear, E., Beaton, K., Boulos, D., Lervaag, N., & Brooks, J.
RNformation, 32(3), 4-5. Perceptions of LGBTQIA+ Persons on Nursing Care: Toward Inclusive LGBTQIA+ Healthcare
Mahoney, J., Jeffress, D., Zetlin, C., Olsen, P., Grebe, H. & Brooks, J. (2003). Distribution of the Brown Tide Picoplankter Aureococcus anophagefferens in Western New York Bight Coastal Waters. Northeast Fisheries Science Center Reference Document 03-1. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Presentations
Nurse Educators Conference in the Rockies 2026 Workshop
Brooks, J., Sakoda, A., & Winder, H. (2026, July 23). Plotting the Course: Converting Traditional Learning Tasks into Learning Adventures [Conference presentation]. Nurse Educators Conference in the Rockies, Breckenridge, CO, United States.
Black-Thomas, L. M., Burleson, S., & Brooks, J. (2026, July 23). Mental Health Help-Seeking Behaviors in U.S. Nursing Students​ {Poster presentation]. Nurse Educators Conference in the Rockies, Breckenridge, CO, United States.
Selected leadership and service
- StreetReach Collaborative, University of Nevada, Reno, 2025-present
- Director of Identity and Cultural Engagement, Orvis School of Nursing, 2024-present
- Chair Admissions, Progression and Student Affairs Committee, Orvis School of Nursing, 2026-present; member 2022-present
- Co-Chair Queer LGBT Advocacy Board, University of Nevada, Reno, 2021-present; member 2020-present
- Faculty Advisor Orvis Student Nurses Association, Orvis School of Nursing, 2020-2024
- Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, 2019-present
- Co-Coordinator Northern Nevada Tahoe Wound Care 2018-2022; member 2016-2022
Selected awards and recognition
- University of Nevada, Reno Orvis School of Nursing Most Inspirational Faculty Award
- May 2022
- December 2022
- University of Nevada, Reno Orvis School of Nursing Most Inspirational Undergraduate Faculty Award
- May 2023
- December 2025
- Daisy Award
- December 2025 nominee
- May 2025 nominee
Education
- Doctor of Nursing Education (DNE), Academic Nurse Educator Track, Ohio State University, Expected Graduation: May 2027
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Clinical Nurse Leader, University of Nevada, Reno, Orvis School of Nursing
- Bachelor of Arts in Biology, College of Saint Rose, Albany, New York
- Associate Degree in Nursing, Samaritan Hospital School of Nursing, Troy, New York