Dr.  Abell is an Associate Professor in the School of Nursing at WKU. She earned an AS in Nursing from Somerset Community College and a BSN, MS, and MSN from WKU. She received her PhD from the University of Louisville.

Dr. Abell teaches in both the prelicensure and Post-RN programs. She teaches Nursing Leadership and Management, Introduction to Nursing Research, and Concepts of Disease Processes. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau, Kentucky Nurses Association, American Nurses Association, and the Southern Nursing Research Society. Her research interests include issues related to nursing education, the change process, and the care of older adults.