She was co-developer of the Braden Scale for Predicting Pressure Ulcer Risk, and held several administrative positions at Creighton University, including dean of the Graduate School from 1995 to 2006, and dean of the College of Professional Studies from 2002 to 2011.
She graduated from Mount Loretto High School in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
[7][8] As part of her dissertation research, Braden and Nancy Bergstrom developed the Braden Scale for Predicting Pressure Ulcer Risk in 1987,[9] an assessment tool which was soon widely used in healthcare facilities, including hospitals and nursing homes.
[10] She founded a company, Prevention Plus, for marketing educational and support materials related to use of the Braden Scale.
[13] In 2001, she received a lifetime achievement award from European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel.