dcates@nmsu.edu 
575-439-3863
SC-163

Professor Debbie Cates has been a dedicated leader and educator at the NMSU School of Nursing since 2015. She is currently the primary faculty member and site coordinator for NMSU’s BSN program in Alamogordo. With more than 25 years of nursing experience and an MSN from NMSU in Adult Health and Gerontology, she brings deep clinical expertise and academic rigor to the BSN program. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Nursing Education, applying doctoral-level scholarship to curriculum innovation and program evaluation.

Professor Cates has played a central role in implementing and strengthening the New Mexico Nursing Education Consortium (NMNEC) concept-based curriculum. As lead faculty for Level 1 and Level 2 clinical courses and current BSN Coordinator at the NMSU–Alamogordo campus, she ensures high-quality, consistent clinical experiences across sites. She is widely recognized for designing structured clinical teaching tools, competency-based checklists, and concept-based assignments that elevate student learning. She currently serves as the co-chair for the NMNEC Curriculum Committee and is a member of the Nursing Education Advisory Committee (NEAC) for the New Mexico Board of Nursing.