Rachel Borton

Education

Ph.D., Doctor of Philosophy, Illinois State University

MSN, Family Nurse Practitioner from the University of Phoenix

BSN, Nursing from Bradley University

Biography

Professor Borton joined the Bradley University Department of Nursing Faculty in January 2010 as a part-time clinical instructor. In February 2011, she joined the faculty as a full-time Assistant Professor of Nursing. In August 2015, she became the FNP Director.

Dr. Borton received her Ph.D. in Nursing at Mennonite College of Nursing, Illinois State University, her MSN-FNP at University of Phoenix, and her BSN from Bradley University.

Hobbies

Dr. Borton enjoys spending time with her husband and four children and also loves running outside. Serves as a church pianist and Junior Church Pageant Director at Bible Baptist Church, Peoria, Il since 2007.

Teaching

Dr. Borton has been lead faculty for FNP focused concentration courses: Advanced Health Assessment (NUR 600), Primary Care Acute Conditions Across the Lifespan I (NUR 676), Professional Aspects of Advanced Nursing Practice (NUR 690) and also the DNP project courses DNP Practice Seminar I (NUR 625) and DNP Practice Seminar III (NUR 725). Prior teaching at Bradley included undergraduate nursing courses such as: Maternal-Newborn Nursing (NUR 306 & NUR 307), Health Assessment (NUR 204), and Adult Health Medical-Surgical Practicum (NUR 207).

Scholarship

Smith, K., Grugan, A., Borton, R., Hinthorne, S. (2026). Graduate Nursing Student Attrition During the DNP Project: Evaluating Programmatic Strategies Over Time. Journal of Professional Nursing, 67, 173-177. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2026.08.016

Smith, K., Borton, R., Grugan, A., Access, Connection, Engagement (ACE) Symposisum, “Navigating Pathways to Excellence: Redesigning Graduate Nursing Leadership Education Through Innovation and Partnership,” American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), Charlotte, NC. (March 2026).

Kolotylo-Kulkarni, M., Zheng, H., Lucia, R., Borton, R., Mitchell, A. (2026). Remote Patient Monitoring: Implications for Information Systems Researchers. Communications of the Association for Information Systems.

Lucia, R., Smith, K., Borton, R., Flinn, L. (2025). Enhancing Inclusivity: The Crucial Role of Nurses in Supporting Students with Special Educational Needs. In: Bakken, J.P. (eds) Handbook for Educating Students with Disabilities. Springer International Handbooks of Education. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-57286-9_49-1

Bloompott, K., Grugan, A., Borton, R., & Smith, K. (2025) Evolution of plagiarism processes in online graduate nursing programs. 58, 93–96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2025.03.007

Hunzicker, J., Scott, A. Borton, R., & Erickson, D. (2025) “Women in Educational Leadership: Understanding Stress, Emotional Labor, and Resilience,” American Educational Research Association (AERA) Annual Meeting, National Conference, Peer reviewed. (April 2025).

Erickson, D., Hunzicker, J., Borton, R., & Scott, A. (2025) “Fiercely Focused Faith: Women Living Christian Values in Higher Education Leadership,” Advancing Women in Leadership Conference, National Conference, Peer reviewed. (March 2025).

Boyer, K. (Principal), Borton, R. (Supporting), “Increasing Student Academic Success & Retention” Sponsoring Organization: Illinois Board of Higher Education State, Funding Organization: Illinois Board of Higher Education State: $138,433.00, (December 2024).

Kolotylo-Kulkarni, M., Zheng, H., Mitchell, A., Borton, R., and Lucia, R. (May 2024) “Remote Patient Monitoring: Implications for Information Systems Researchers,” 19th Annual Midwest United States Association for Information Systems Conference (MWAIS) Conference Panel Discussion.

Borton, R., Smith, K., Grugan, A. (2023). Presentation of a Type-B Aortic Dissection in a Healthy Young Female. MEDSURG Nursing Journal, 32, (3), 179-183. Journal Article, Professional Journal

Smith, K., Grugan, A., Nielsen-Ott, M., Borton, R., Reed, S. (2023) Strategies to Promote Academic Integrity for Graduate Nursing Students in an Online Learning Environment. 20(1), 19–23. https://www.infoagepub.com/distance-learning-guidelines.html

Smith, K., Newell, A., Grugan, A., Borton, R. (2023). Arriving at the diagnoses of microscopic colitis: One patient’s journey. MEDSURG Nursing, 32, (5), 315-321. Journal Article, Professional Journal

Borton, R., Smith, K., Grugan, A. (2022). Piloting an On-Campus Skills Bootcamp for Online FNP Students. 47(4), 1. https://shop.lww.com/Nurse-Educator-Online/p/1538-9855?promocode=WMK134AA

Borton, R. (Principle), & Clark, J. (Supporting) (2020). “The Nurse Practitioners Substance Use Disorder Medical Education (NPSUDMedEd) Course Grant.” American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) $5,000 (May 2020).

Service

University: Dr. Borton served as a DON Senator for the University Faculty Senate, the Online Education Advisory Committee, and also serves as a faculty counselor for the CRU student organization.

College: Dr. Borton served on the Gender Equity Task Force Committee.

Department: Dr. Borton served on the Graduate Curriculum Committee and previous Committee Chair, Program Evaluation Committee, department Search Committees, and also serves as a faculty counselor for Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI), Epsilon Epsilon as a Board Member.

External: Dr. Borton served on the interprofessional and community Breast Health Task Force, served on the interprofessional Rural NP Clinical Placements Committee, and serves as the pianist and pageant director for her church.

Licensures & Certifications