Graduate Coordinator, Clinical Assistant Professor
Education
Biography
Dr. Kayla Lucena-Glass is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the Capstone College of Nursing (CCN). She earned her BSN from the University of Alabama in 2012, MSN from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2015, and DNP from the University of Alabama in 2017. Dr. Lucena-Glass is a certified Family Nurse Practitioner (AANP, 2015) and a certified Rehabilitation Nurse (Association of Rehabilitation Nurses, 2018).
Joining CCN in 2022, Dr. Lucena-Glass taught in both the Undergraduate & Graduate Programs and served as a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) faculty advisor. In 2025, she became the CCN Graduate Clinical Coordinator and primarily teaches in the Master’s Entry into the Profession of Nursing (MEPN) program. Her research and clinical interests include physical medicine and rehabilitation (with a focus on mobility and quality of life), mental health, alternative medicine, and global/community health.
Dr. Lucena-Glass has extensive clinical experience, having worked as an RN in the medical ICU, cardiothoracic ICU, and outpatient oncology. She has also practiced as a CRNP in home health and physical medicine, maintaining a clinical practice with RSP: Rehab, Spine, and Pain. This practice serves the local community by providing physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) services at DCH Rehabilitation Center and multiple skilled nursing facilities. Her PM&R expertise includes treating conditions such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, neuromuscular disorders, major trauma, amputation, joint replacement, and cardiac/respiratory deconditioning.
Dr. Lucena-Glass is an active member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, Nurse Practitioner Alliance of Alabama, West Alabama Nurse Practitioner Association, and the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses. Additionally, she serves as the Registered Nurse for the University of Alabama Million Dollar Band and as faculty advisor for CCN’s study abroad trip to Thailand.