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• Professional doctorate programmes
• Doctorate in Health and Social Care (DHSC)

The professional doctorate is a programme of advanced study and research, with a focus on valuing professional practice and engaging in applied research in the areas of care and advocacy, nursing, leadership in health and social care, as well as social work and social care. 

The programme offers you the chance to enhance your professional career to doctoral level, through making a unique and original contribution to your profession, while continuing to work and progress in your field.

The Professional Doctorate is a flexible part-time degree structured in two stages. It provides you with the opportunity to develop as a researcher, to develop skills and competence in a range of areas, including:

• research skills and techniques
• research environment
• research management
• personal effectiveness
• communication skills
• networking and team working
• career management.

The programme will also enable you to develop your theoretical understanding and practical application of contemporary research methods to your professional practice.

The professional doctorate not only meets the doctoral benchmarks outlined by HEFCE and quality standards as outlined by the QAA, but also meets the specific needs of your field of practice. 

For more information please visit the professional doctorates page . 

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For research enquiries email: [email protected]

For student and degree enquiries email: [email protected]

Ageing Well Public Talks Series: Making friends in blue and green spaces – Yoseph Araya and Gráinne O’Connor

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A world-class city filled with art and culture and an incredible campus that offers cutting edge resources–that’s what students receive at Penn Nursing. And that’s just the start. Penn Nursing and the wider university offer something for everyone, as well as a lifelong community.

Penn Nursing is globally known for educating dynamic nurses—because our School values evidence-based science and health equity. That’s where our expertise lies, whether in research, practice, community health, or beyond. Everything we do upholds a through-line of innovation, encouraging our exceptional students, alumni, and faculty share their knowledge and skills to reshape health care.

Penn Nursing students are bold and unafraid, ready to embrace any challenge that comes their way. Whether you are exploring a career in nursing or interested in advancing your nursing career, a Penn Nursing education will help you meet your goals and become an innovative leader, prepared to change the face of health and wellness.

Penn Nursing is the #1-ranked nursing school in the world. Its highly-ranked programs help develop highly-skilled leaders in health care who are prepared to work alongside communities to tackle issues of health equity and social justice to improve health and wellness for everyone.

Penn Nursing’s rigorous academic curricula are taught by world renowned experts, ensuring that students at every level receive an exceptional Ivy League education . From augmented reality classrooms and clinical simulations to coursework that includes experiential global travel to clinical placements in top notch facilities, a Penn Nursing education prepares our graduates to lead.

Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)

Our goal is to develop scholars of the discipline of nursing capable of building a program of research that advances nursing knowledge and contributes to the health of individuals, families, and communities.

About the Program

The penn advantage.

Home to some of the most forward-thinking scholars and researchers in the world, Penn offers the opportunity to work alongside faculty who are actively shaping the future of nursing science and healthcare. Our networks and longstanding clinical and community partnerships throughout greater Philadelphia and beyond provide uncommon access to research and practice resources.

Program Information

Program Length

Financial aid available?

Start Semester

Learning Format

Program Details

The program consists of seven core courses, two statistics sequence courses, and five concentration courses; each course is worth one course unit, or CU. Students will take three to four courses each fall and spring semester. Most students complete their coursework within three to four years and then will be on dissertation status until the final dissertation defense.

Click the link below to view the curriculum for this program in the University catalog or download a sample plan of study .

View the curriculum

Requirements

Minimum qualifications for the program.

BSN and MSN or Master’s degree in the field of Nursing.

Application Deadlines

Fall 2024 enrollment.

Deadline: December 1, 2023 Latest Decision Notification: mid-February

*Dates subject to change without notice.

Costs & Tuition

We are committed to assisting all full-time PhD students for four years of tuition, fees, living stipend, and health insurance. You may be funded internally or externally, depending on the options available. The doctoral program leadership will determine which funding is most appropriate for all incoming students. Students who choose part-time enrollment are responsible for paying for their own tuition, fees, and health insurance. Learn more about financial aid for PhD students .

The charts below outline costs based on the school year. For full-time doctoral students, after the first five years the reduced rate is charged until the Doctorate degree is awarded, or for a maximum of five additional years.

Full-Time: Fall 2023 & Spring 2024

Part-time per cu: fall 2023 & spring 2024, doctoral reduced rate: fall 2023 & spring 2024, program outcomes.

Our doctoral graduates go on to take coveted leadership roles in academia, healthcare, government, and related fields, and are integral to the growth of our profession.

Related Links

May 22 | 6:00pm

Spring 2024 Graduate Programs Info Session

June 14 | 12:00pm

Program Activities

Future-proofing healthcare.

How Penn Nursing’s PhD program is the key to unlocking innovative and equity-focused care and policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a phd and a dnp.

• Prepares nurse scientists to conduct research, develop the scholarship needed to advance the body of nursing knowledge, guide the practice of nursing, assume leadership in nursing and health care organizations, and participate in the development of social and health policy
• Methods and theories used to guide research
• Grant writing skills
• Technology used in research
• Statistical & other analytical methods
• Research traditions & methodologies
• Faculty role development
• Cognate areas of interest to guide research
• Clinical Requirements – No
• Research Requirements - Faculty guided research residency hours working on an established research project(s) to hone selected research skills
• Final Product - Original research project that makes a significant contribution to the science of nursing
• Academic faculty position which includes research, education, and service roles
• Research Scientist for healthcare organizations, industry or government agencies
• Principal Investigator on extramural research grants
• Leadership positions in health organizations, industry and government agencies
• Government advisor on health policy
• Purpose - Prepares expert clinical scholars to perform direct clinical practice, translate, disseminate and integrate evidence-based research into clinical practice and improve quality of health outcomes for individuals, populations and systems.
• Advanced clinical practice
• Clinical scholarship skills
• Technology used in practice
• Analysis of clinical outcomes
• Evidence-based practice
• Leadership role development
• Rural and underserved populations
• Clinical Requirements - No
• Research Requirements – No
• Final Product – Project based
• APRN in a variety of healthcare settings
• Academic faculty position which includes practice, education, and service roles
• Leadership positions in health care organizations, industry, government agencies
• Evidence-based Practice Coordinator
• Outcomes Manager
• Magnet Coordinator
• Quality Improvement Director

How many are accepted to the PhD program at Penn Nursing?

Approximately 6-12 applicants are accepted each year.

How can I get more information on the research faculty are doing for my application?

Please find our faculty’s research interests here .

Can I reach out to faculty for more information?

Yes, you are encouraged to reach out to faculty who align with your research interests and may be a good mentor during your PhD program. The PhD application is about looking at faculty’s research interests and how they align with yours. In your application, you should highlight these connections.

Is there a clinical component?

Is there an admissions interview.

Competitive applicants will be invited to interview.

When does the PhD program start?

The PhD program starts in the fall semester, and it typically takes 3-5 years to complete the program.

If I am an international applicant with an international RN license, can I still apply to the PhD program?

Yes, you may apply to the PhD program with an international RN license. The license must be valid at time of application.

Ready to take the next step?

See yourself here.

Doctoral – PhD in Nursing

About the Program

Georgetown’s PhD in Nursing Program is designed to be a full-time, campus-based, premier doctoral program for individuals who want to be leaders for change by seeking to advance the discipline and those they serve in academic, community health, health care, policy, global, and research settings.

Georgetown’s PhD program will lead in creating nurse scientists who generate knowledge with ethics and health equity as its core compass, to advance health, appreciating our shared humanity. Roberta Waite , Dean of Georgetown University School of Nursin g

Program Features

• Draws upon the interdisciplinary and intellectual richness of the campus community
• Develops leaders for change in nursing
• Focus in ethics and health equity
• Intellectual vibrancy with renowned faculty across multiple disciplines
• Globally known, values-based academic community
• Intellectual vibrancy across complimentary academic disciplines such as ethics, law, philosophy, medicine, and policy.
• Full-time, campus-based program

Program Questions

Please direct questions about the PhD in Nursing program to [email protected] .

School of Nursing

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The program is designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, relationships, confidence, critical thinking and analytical capacity essential for discovering and disseminating research-based evidence to support innovative solutions that lead to better health outcomes and advance the science of nursing.

What makes our program distinct?

The PhD in Nursing curriculum provides students two options to attend their course class sessions. One option is to be in the classroom with the faculty and the other option is to attend the class via a video connection with the students and faculty in the classroom. Students choose the one delivery method that works best for them. Please note that due to student  visa requirements, international students must attend courses in-person. Courses may use a HyFlex instruction format that combines synchronous in-person scheduled class sessions and asynchronous online learning activities.

At the start of their program (last week in August) and the last week in May, all students gather on campus annually for a four-day Doctor of Nursing Philosophy Immersive Experience (DIvE) focused on engagement, mentorship and professional development and a 1 credit academic course.

PhD students are eligible for significant financial assistance in their first two years through a combination of graduate assistantships and scholarships for students devoted full-time to their studies following the relevant recommended plan of study.

We also advocate for and support our PhD students with funding from a range of national sources. Current PhD students are supported with substantial grants from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Jonas Philanthropies.

The PhD in Nursing program is enriched by the vibrant research and academic programs at the School of Nursing and the university.

You will be carefully matched with faculty who are uniquely suited to help you develop your research focus and build an ongoing research program. Nationally-renowned faculty mentor PhD students throughout the program and build long-standing professional relationships beyond graduation.

Why a nursing PhD?

Across the country and around the world, demand for PhD-prepared nurses who can mentor future nurses and advance nursing science continues to grow. Our PhD program focuses on areas of science in which the health needs are greatest as described by AACN's strategic plan. We seek to admit students with exceptionally strong backgrounds in a major field of study such as nursing or the physical or behavioral sciences.

While many applicants are registered nurses with Masters degrees, we admit individuals who are not nurses to the PhD program if they desire to learning about and conducting research that contributes to nursing science. We also strongly encourage nurses with a BSN degree to apply. We support both types of students with additional formal coursework to be successful.

See admission criteria and application procedures

Length and commitment

Our past graduates have completed their degree in 4-5 years.

Full-time students follow the relevant recommended program plans typically take the required courses with a consistent cohort of students to foster peer support and learning.

Program Plans

Program Plan - MSN or DNP Prepared

Program Plan - BSN/Pre-Licensure Master's Prepared Nurse

Program Plan - Prior Degree in Non-Nursing Discipline

Information for international students

Inclusivity, Diversity and Equity

The School of Nursing welcomes and affirms all. We embrace the equity and diversity commitment of the University of Minnesota. Learn more on our  Inclusivity, Diversity and Equity  page. Read about our  Doctoral Education Pathway for American Indian/Alaska Native Nurses .

Get to Know Us

Charles Osingada

A student in the PhD program

“We can take advantage of what is before us and improve on the delivery of services to clients living with HIV in developing countries.”

See all students

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• 2024 Planting Seeds of Innovation Colloquium

Today marks the 177th Commencement Ceremonies at Emory University! After the activities at the Quandrangle, the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing will host a Degree Candidate Recognition Ceremony at 11 a.m. at the Emory Student Center. All events will be streamed live.

Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)

Emory’s PhD program in Nursing is committed to improving human health, the experience of health, and the provision of health care through the discovery of new knowledge and its translation into practice. The program is designed to prepare researchers who want to revolutionize health care and improve health outcomes for diverse populations.

The Fall 2025 application deadline is December 1, 2024.

Virtual Open House Events

All virtual open house events will take place Tuesday evenings from 6-7 p.m. EST on Zoom. Use the links below to register.

Upcoming Meetings:

• 08/20/2024 : Tuesday, 6:00-7:00 PM (EST)
• 09/10/2024 : Tuesday, 6:00-7:00 PM (EST)
• 10/08/2024 : Tuesday, 6:00-7:00 PM (EST)
• 11/05/2024 : Tuesday, 6:00-7:00 PM (EST)

Previous Meetings:

• September 26, 2023
• October 24, 2023
• November 14, 2023
• December 12, 2023

Program Contacts

[email protected]

Jean Harrell Graduate Program Administrator

Emory University’s School of Nursing PhD program is a full-time, intense learning experience designed to develop the next generation of researchers who will change the face of health care. The program is interdisciplinary, drawing on the strengths of Emory University and its partners in areas as varied as the humanities, natural and social sciences, public health, engineering, law, and business.

At Emory, we offer a PhD track with a focus on data science in addition to our standard PhD curriculum. 

Signature Areas of Focus

Our program is built on the research strengths of our faculty in six signature areas:

• Aging Studies
• Artificial Intelligence/Data Science
• Natural Disasters, Environmental, and Climate Science
• Translational and Neuroscience
• Women’s Health

Other Areas of Focus

Emory nursing faculty are committed to supporting the learning and discovery for our doctoral nursing students. We have faculty who are renowned scholars within a diverse range of expertise in areas such as:

• Alzheimer's Disease
• Cardiovascular Health
• Caregiver Well-Being
• Data Science
• Environmental Health
• Farmworker Health
• Global Health
• Health Informatics
• Maternal/Child Health
• Mental Health
• Metabolic Disease
• Nurse Workforce and Quality of Patient Care
• Pain, Opioids, and Harm Reduction
• Palliative Care
• Sleep Research
• Symptom Science
• LGBTQIA+/Transgender Health

For additional information, please visit our Office of Nursing research page.

This video gives prospective students pragmatic guidance in selecting a U.S. research-intensive doctoral program in nursing.

Teaching Assistant Training & Teaching Opportunity Program

The PhD in Nursing trains students to teach through the Teaching Assistant Training and Teaching Opportunity Program , or TATTO, program. This program provides a short course offered in late summer before the first year, training and teaching assistantships and teaching associateships.

The Jones Program in Ethics

The Jones Program in Ethics (JPE) at Emory University provides students with a foundational, cross-disciplinary introduction to the question of ethics for their research, training and careers. It is a required, integral part of the curriculum in LGS doctoral programs: Learn more Link here:

T32 Nurse Scientist Training Opportunities

The Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing invites applications for full time study in the PhD in Nursing program, and applicants for postdoctoral traineeship funded by the T32 program. T32 pre-and postdoctoral trainees will participate in a tailored research training program , which aims to prepare nurse scientists acquire knowledge and skills to employ data science (DS) and/or emerging health information technologies (HIT) into their research.

Provisional Artificial Intelligence Track

Artificial intelligence (AI) and associated computational sciences (machine learning, natural language processing, cybersecurity, etc.) are fundamentally changing the healthcare landscape. Accompanying these changes are tremendous opportunities as well as profound ethical concerns and social impacts. View a summary of the program . View a provisional version of the courses of study .

Admission Requirements

Fall 2024 Application Deadlines

• Priority deadline: December 1, 2023
• Final deadline: January 2, 2024
• All applicants selected for an interview will be interviewed by video/zoom meeting, scheduled at a convenient time for applicant and faculty.
• Admitted applicants will visit campus February 5, 2024 to meet with faculty, other PhD students, and to experience Atlanta.

Applications are submitted through Emory's Laney Graduate School (LGS). For more about LGS admissions, click here .

For admission to the Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing program, Emory University seeks highly qualified applicants with the discipline and motivation to excel in interdisciplinary research. To be considered for admission, you must submit the following items:

• Completed application
• Submission of a Statement of Purpose that describes the applicant’s vision for what they want to study, who they want to study with, and why they want to study at Emory.
• Research interests that match faculty expertise
• Three (3) recommendations
• Satisfactory TOEFL scores (if applicable)
• Credential evaluations from any evaluator affiliated with NACES, The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services .  The most common ones are World Education Services , Educational Credential Evaluators , and Educational Perspectives .
• Transcripts issued by the registrar’s office from each post-secondary institution attended
• Resume or curriculum vitae

Emory University considers applicants who hold a BSN or MSN from a CCNE or NLNAC accredited program in the US or an international equivalent (Applicants holding a degree in a non-nursing related discipline will be considered on an individual basis).

Students entering with a BSN and intending to pursue advanced practice certification must be eligible for licensure as RN in Georgia by the end of the first year of study.

Application

Meet our students.

Meet our current and past doctoral students and learn a little more about how they impact the world of nursing research.

Student graduate’s dissertations include:

• Evaluating Stochastic Epigenic Mutations as a Potential Mechanism Translating Psychosocial Stressors into Risk for Postpartum Depression (Julianne Todd)
• Relationships among Dietary Patterns, Metabolites and Symptoms in Persons with Heart failure (Erica Nicole Davis)
• The Gut and Vaginal Microbiome in Pregnant Patients with and Without Urogenital Infections (Emily Faith Wissel)
• End-of-Life Care of Uong Adult Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: A Retrospective Cohort Study (Carolina Gustafson)
• LivFit with HIV:  Reducing inflammation and improving endothelial function with exercise adherence among older persons with HIV (Crista Irwin)
• Identifying and Addressing Healthcare Disparities in the Pediatric Acute Care Setting (Amy Rebecca Kolwaite)
• Sexual Dysfunction in Women with Gynecologic Cancer Pre-and Post-Radiotherapy and its Association with Obesity and the Gut Microbiome (Haerim Lee)
• Evaluation of Facility-Based Individual Differentiated Service Delivery Among Stable People Living with HIV in Nairobi, Kenya Using Mixed Methods Research (Rosemary Kinuthia)
• Relationships Among Strong Black Woman Belief, Coping Behaviors, Social Support, and Psychological Distress for Black Mothers after Stillbirth (Carrie Henry)
• The Influence of Postpartum Retention in Care on Mortality in Women Living with HIV (Jade McBroom)
• The role of the circulating registered nurse in communicating and fostering relationships and the impact on time spent in the operating room (Kent Haythorn)
• The Role of Vitamin D in Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy and Gene Expression within an African American Cohort (Sheila Jordan)
• Diabetes Management and Self-Care among Emerging Adults: Emerging Adult and Diabetes Care Provider Perceptions of Self-Management Influences, Visit Interaction, and a Tool to Enhance Diabetes Care at Visits (Rachel Wolf)
• Staying Alive in Little Five: Perceptions of Service Industry Workers Who Encounter an Opioid Overdose in Little Five Points, Atlanta (Sara Febres-Cordero)
• The Occupational and Health Histories of Undocumented Immigrants Receiving Frequent, Emergent-Only Hemodialysis (Daniel Smith)
• Characteristics and Treatment Outcomes of Adolescents with Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder in Psychiatric Residential Treatment (Amy Greenblatt)

A full list of student accomplishments is updated regularly (PDF) .

Here are just a few job titles of our graduates.

• Chief Nursing Officer with the Jamaican Ministry of Health
• Epidemic Intelligence Service, Center for Disease Control
• Pediatric Center for Wellness
• RTI International – Division of Public Health and Clinical Research
• The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Center for Pediatric Nursing Research and Evidence Based Practice

Tuition and Awards

Full-tuition scholarships.

All full-time admitted students are granted full tuition waiver and receive an annual stipend over 12 months in exchange for teaching and research services. The stipend is drawn from a combination of faculty advisor grant support, school support and student research grants received during the program. Stipends are renewed each year, contingent upon satisfactory academic and research performance, for a total of four years. Faculty and students work together to identify and apply for National Institutes for Health's National Research Service Award and other fellowships for stipend and research support funding during the doctoral program. Students also receive Professional Development Support Funds from Laney Graduate School to attend conferences and support research-related expenses.

T32 Predoctoral Fellowships through Spring 2023

The School of Nursing offers a research training program for selected predoctoral students to focus on developing and testing interventions to improve health outcomes of persons with or at risk for chronic conditions such as cardiovascular and neurological diseases, cancer, diabetes mellitus, HIV-AIDS, and asthma/COPD. Individuals selected as fellows in this training program receive a monthly stipend, benefit assistance, assistance for professional travel, and modest funds to support research related expenses. The Laney Graduate School also offers scholarships to PhD students.

Charting Innovative Paths for Nursing Research & Scholarship

Many of our students participated in the 11th Annual Georgia Nursing Leadership Coalition Doctoral Symposium, “Charting Innovative Paths for Nursing Research & Scholarship” at Emory Nursing Learning Center on 2/11/23.

Students gave the following presentations at the Event:

• Policing Mental Health: Race and Psychiatry in Atlanta Avi Wofsy – PhD Student, Emory University
• Childhood Trauma Exposure and Length of Labor: A Potential Oxytocin-Linked Contributor to Adverse Perinatal Outcomes in Black Birthing People Abby Britt – PhD Student, Emory University
• Personal Measures of Air Pollution During Pregnancy and Infant Head Circumference and Length at Birth Hina Raheel – PhD Student, Emory University
• Ways of Knowing: The Historical Intersections of Breastfeeding, Capitalism, and Whiteness Octavia Vogel – PhD Student, Emory University
• Bots and Fake Participants: Ensuring Valid and Reliable Data Collection Using Social Media Recruitment MethodsZ Roseline Jean Louis – PhD Student, Emory University

Many students presented posters. Hayden Herring, 1st year student, won 1st place for his poster.

How to Successfully Apply to Our PhD Program

Application process questions.

How Much is the Application Fee

$75 US.  The fee is non-refundable, and can be paid by credit card as part of the online application.

When exactly is the application deadline?

The deadline falls at midnight, U.S. Pacific time, on the deadline date of the each program. Nursing PhD program application deadline is January 1.

May I request a fee waiver?

Yes. Application fee waivers are processed through Laney.  The  application fee waiver page  explains our waiver policy.   https://www.gs.emory.edu/admissions/fee-waivers.html

Should I wait until I have my official test scores before submitting my application?

No.  Complete the online application at your earliest convenience.  When we receive your scores, they will be matched with your application.

Do I need to submit non-degree transcripts?

Yes. Admissions committees consider your complete academic record. 

If my undergraduate Degree is from Emory, Do I need to request a transcript from Emory?

Yes. You will need to upload one as part of your online application.  (If you are offered admission and accept, you will not need to submit an official copy, since we are able to verify the one you uploaded.)

If I participated in an exchange program while an undergraduate, do I have to request that transcript?

If you took some courses at a university as part of an exchange, like a study abroad program, and those course credits (course name, credit hours, and grade) are reflected on the transcript that includes your degree, then you do not need to submit a separate transcript from the university where you studied as part of an exchange. If you list that exchange experience as a separate educational experience on your application, you will need to upload either a separate transcript or a note explaining to us that the credits are included in another transcript. 

How should I submit my transcripts in the application?

Scan and upload them through the online application. Unofficial transcripts issued by the Registrar to you (the student) are acceptable.

You are required to submit one transcript from each post-secondary institution attended, present school included. International transcripts must be translated and notarized.  

Please do not mail paper transcripts.  If you are admitted and decide to attend Emory, then you will need to submit official copies of your transcripts before you can enroll. But for your application, the scanned, unofficial versions are all that's needed.

Does the recommendation letter have to be on the Emory form?

We encourage the use of the online recommendation system. If a recommender is unable to use this system, contact the program you are applying to for instructions.  You can find contact information on  our Degree Programs page .

Must letters of recommendation be submitted by the application deadline?

It is possible to submit letters of recommendation after the application deadline, but it is not advisable.  Most programs begin to review applications very soon after the deadline, and an application is not considered complete unless it has three letters of recommendation. 

Can I make changes to my application after I have submitted it?

No. Contact the graduate program to which you are applying for advice.  You can find contact information on  our Degree Programs page .

Can I reactivate my application from last year?

No. Applicants who wish to reapply must submit a new application, application fee, and supporting credentials.

Technical issues with the application: Email CollegeNet at  [email protected] . 

Additional Questions

Do you have to have your research focus before entering the program?

No, but strongly encouraged.

Can I start the PhD program in the spring semester?

NO.  This program begins with the fall semester matriculation only.

Can this program be completed in 3 years?

It can be done in three years if you are really focused.  But it will be challenging.

What are the fees students pay?

Enrollment, technology, health and wellness, athletic  and activity fees.  

Fall and spring you should be prepared to pay approximately$442, summer fees are about $351

When do I submit the application for the T32 program?

T32 application is due one day after the PhD program application, Jan. 2nd

Can I have my international transcripts reviewed by an agency other than World Education Services (WES)?

Laney Graduate School requires WES services review.

Do I have to have a master’s degree to enter this program?

No.  Students can apply to the program with a BSN

Can I work/ be employed outside the program?

Any work/employment has to be approved by the program

How many hours can I work if approved?

Students are allowed to work 10 hours a week

Accreditation

Emory University undergoes accreditation at the university level and throughout our colleges and schools to ensure our educational programs meet the highest standards. The Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing is accredited by multiple organizations. For a list of accreditations, you can visit our Accreditations page.

Featured Story

Emory nursing doctoral students receive prestigious NIH predoctoral fellowship awards

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PhD Program in Nursing

Mentoring nurse scientists of the future is our priority.

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It’s hard to imagine a more dynamic, fast-changing sector than nursing and healthcare in the UK. Whether you’re seeking entry into the health and social care professions, or looking to progress your career, with an Open University nursing and healthcare course, the future is open. Choose below from our range of degrees, diplomas and certificates.

Nursing and Healthcare Degrees  Degrees Also known as an undergraduate or bachelors degree. Internationally respected, universally understood. An essential requirement for many high-level jobs. Gain a thorough understanding of your subject – and the tools to investigate, think critically, form reasoned arguments, solve problems and communicate effectively in new contexts. Progress to higher level study, such as a postgraduate diploma or masters degree.

• Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
• One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
• You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
• For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.

How long will it take?

Nursing and Healthcare Diplomas  Diplomas Widely recognised qualification. Equivalent to the first two thirds of an honours degree. Enhance your professional and technical skills or extend your knowledge and understanding of a subject. Study for interest or career development. Top up to a full honours degree in just two years.

Nursing and healthcare certificates  certificates widely recognised qualification. equivalent to the first third of an honours degree. study for interest or career development. shows that you can study successfully at university level. count it towards further qualifications such as a diphe or honours degree., why study nursing and healthcare with the open university.

For over 30 years, we have been delivering supported and open distance learning in the field of Nursing, Health and Social Care, and developing highly-respected materials for multi-disciplinary and multi-professional use. You’ll join one of the largest and most innovative providers of educational opportunities and learning solutions in this sector.

The benefits of studying Nursing and Healthcare with us are:

• Stay in your job while you study and develop in your current role.
• We work in partnership with employers including the NHS, social services and the voluntary sector.
• As the UK's largest provider of part-time social work training, we offer a diverse range of modules and qualifications in the field of wellbeing, health and social care that are relevant to practice-based work.
• Unique work-based nursing programme for flexible professional development.

Blended learning nursing programme

In England, we can offer an alternative route to nursing if you’re not currently working in a healthcare role. Our blended learning nursing programme lets you study our adult or children and young people nursing degree in partnership with Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. You’ll study theory online and will need to live near, or be able to travel to, Oxford, to gain practical experience through practice placements with local healthcare providers. For more details, visit Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust .

In some regions of England, we can offer an alternative route to nursing if you’re not currently working in a healthcare role. Our blended learning nursing programme lets you study our adult nursing degree in partnership with selected universities or NHS Trusts. You’ll study theory online and will need to live near, or be able to travel, to gain practical experience through either attending simulation labs on campus at a partner university or practice placements with local healthcare providers. For more details, choose from:

• Middlesex University
• Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
• University of the West of England

Careers in Nursing and Healthcare

Studying for an Open University qualification in one of the healthcare disciplines is ideal preparation for personal development and career progression. Whatever your career goals, we can help you achieve them.

Our range of courses in nursing and healthcare can help you start or progress your career in:

• Nursing and healthcare practice
• Care and social work
• Healthcare education
• Clinical nursing research
• Health/Care management

Looking for something other than a qualification?

The majority of our modules can be studied by themselves, on a stand-alone basis. If you later choose to work towards a qualification, you may be able to count your study towards it.

See our full list of Nursing and Healthcare modules

All Nursing and Healthcare courses

Browse all the Nursing and Healthcare courses we offer – certificates, diplomas and degrees.

See our full list of Nursing and Healthcare courses

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EXPLORE. EXCEL. EXPAND.

Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing

• Augusta University
• College of Nursing
• PhD in Nursing

Applications for Fall 2024 admission are open August 10, 2023 - May 15, 2024.

Advance your nursing career in the PhD in Nursing program, which features interdisciplinary research opportunities in multiple areas such as cardiovascular health, community-based participatory interventions, and health promotion.

The PhD in Nursing is a hybrid program. The program features excellent mentoring and teaching by faculty, extensive research experiences, and committed peers. The PhD in Nursing program emphasizes interdisciplinary knowledge development and dissemination. The College of Nursing offers two campuses: in Augusta and in Athens, Georgia. Dissertation research may occur at approved sites near home or work. For DNP-prepared nurses, course credit may be given for previous coursework.

AU NURSE FACULTY LOAN PROGRAM (NFLP)

  [email protected]

  706.721.4781

• Program Director

Julie Zadinsky, PhD, RN, CIP

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Information

The PhD in Nursing is a hybrid program. The program features excellent mentoring and teaching by faculty, extensive research experiences, and committed peers.

Request Information   | Admission Requirements

Experience-based Education

Program Outcomes

With a Ph.D. in Nursing, you will possess the skills needed to apply leadership strategies to address ethical, political, economic, and socio-cultural issues in nursing. You will demonstrate expertise in your field using an interdisciplinary approach to generate and apply scientific knowledge in the field of healthcare.

You will be prepared to critically evaluate behavioral and biological theories of health and illness and design clinical nursing studies to research the effectiveness of health care within selected communities.

Students can complete this program as a full-time or part-time student. Look through the outline of curriculum for either type of student.

The DNP degree is a practice doctorate. The PhD is a research doctorate. Decide what would be the best for your education and career goals.

Tuition & Fees

Learn more about what tuition and fees will be per semester. Look through special fees that may be added on related to labs or course specific fees.

Apply to PhD Program

Take the step further in your education. We hope that Augusta University's College of Nursing can be your place of education.

Experiential Learning

Educational Opportunity

Students have access to the latest classroom technology in a new, state-of-the-art facility that includes an Interdisciplinary Simulation Center and Augusta University's research centers and institutes.

You will have the opportunity to engage in ground-breaking research in a dynamic, resource-rich health sciences university environment. We offer collaboration with world-class researchers and provide you with a wide range of services to support your research interests, including research monitoring and assistantship for students enrolled full-time.

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Scholarships

The College of Nursing is pleased to offer several scholarships to current undergraduate and graduate Nursing students.

The criteria for each fund is determined by the donor and is available upon inquiry. The availability of funds is variable. Students seeking financial assistance should complete an application form at the Financial Aid Office as well as provide required information specific to the scholarship to the College of Nursing.

Explore. Excel. Expand.

Learn the latest innovations in health care and advances in nursing science at the region's only academic health center. Impact the world through collaboration and team work, expanding the scope of your educational experience beyond the traditional classroom.

• People Finder

Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing — PhD

The PhD in Nursing is designed for nurses who are driven to discover, challenge, and lead in healthcare science, policy, intervention, and technology. Auburn’s PhD students will work alongside scholars and scientists in many disciplines, developing innovative and practical solutions to the healthcare challenges of today and the future.

PhD graduates will provide leadership to the nursing profession: preparing new generations of professionals, expanding healthcare excellence in their communities and globally, driving innovative research and scientific advancement, and exploring new technologies and programs to create lasting health and wellness. 

There are two pathways for admission: MSN-PhD or DNP-PhD. Full-time PhD students can complete their plan of study in nine semesters. All graduate work towards a graduate degree must be completed within a period of 5 calendar years from enrollment in the first graduate course.

The PhD program is primarily online. Auburn uses a variety of state-of-the-art online and distance learning technologies and techniques to facilitate the program and enrich the student learning experience. PhD students are admitted in fall semester only. The application deadline is June 1.

Admission Criteria

• Possess a current, unencumbered RN license from your state of residence within the United States.
• Have earned a Master's degree in nursing or Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from an accredited nursing program with a minimum nursing GPA of 3.0 (MSN or DNP nursing courses are used to calculate the nursing GPA).
• Provide three professional references for the online recommendation form from individuals familiar with your capabilities for doctoral study and for future performance as a nurse scholar and researcher. Generally, two references from former professors are expected.
• Submit a Professional Goal Statement of approximately 750-1,000 words indicating your present research interests and career goals, including how the PhD in nursing will prepare you to achieve those goals. Describe any prior experiences that have prepared you for doctoral study (e.g., previous research presentations and leadership roles in practice, education, or professional organizations).
• Provide a writing sample (e.g., published paper or paper from previous degree program is acceptable).
• Provide a current curriculum vitae (CV) or resume.
• Complete an interview via telephone, on-campus, or video-conference.
• Submit all official transcripts to the Graduate School.

College of Nursing Specific Admission and Progression Information

Applicants must meet all College of Nursing admission criteria. Applicants may be admitted under fully approved status, or under provisional or exception status. Approved admissions meet all the criteria listed for the Graduate School and any additional criteria for the department, school, or college. Provisional or exception status admission may be granted for students who do not meet certain requirements for admission. Applicants admitted as provisional or as an exception will be fully admitted to the Nursing Graduate Program only when all requirements for admission have been satisfied. Applicants admitted as provisional or as an exception who fail to satisfy all requirements for admission within the specified time period will be dismissed from the Nursing Graduate Program.

Continuation Requirements:

All PhD students must take and pass a comprehensive examination before commencing their dissertation research. The PhD comprehensive examination can be taken once the student has completed at least 28 credit hours of PhD course work. The program will have an established pathway to degree completion.

The PhD in Nursing offers two track options, MSN to PhD and DNP to PhD.

MSN to PhD 

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• PhD in Nursing & Health Science Program

Launch your research career at an NIH-ranked nursing school with a premier academic medical center in Rochester, New York.

• MS-PhD Combined Program
• Academics & Curriculum
• Eligibility & Admissions
• Tuition & Financial Support
• Careers & Student Bios

The PhD in Nursing and Health Science program offers a rich and supportive learning environment for the next generation of nursing and health care scientists.

Program Cost

100% tuition waiver.

For full-time PhD students plus annual stipend

Research Rankings

Ranked 31st among nursing schools in research funding from the National Institutes of Health

Priority Deadline

Applications accepted for fall entry only. Apply by Jan. 15 for priority enrollment and UR scholarship/fellowship consideration.  Refer to our application deadlines.

The PhD in Nursing & Health Science program at the University of Rochester sets itself apart by offering close mentorship from  nationally-recognized faculty . Plus, the collaborative learning environment is enriched by interaction with researchers across many disciplines — all of which allows you to learn how to make meaningful discoveries and innovations in a changing health care landscape.

Choose from three pathways to earn a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing and Health Science. Full-time students are awarded assistantships that provide full tuition waiver, health insurance, and stipend support.

As part of the University of Rochester Medical Center , the School of Nursing engages in groundbreaking interdisciplinary research through collaborative partnerships with nurses and other health care practitioners across the campus, region, and nation. The University of Rochester School of Nursing has a long history of research innovation and continues to pioneer new breakthroughs in:

Sexual Health & HIV Oncology & Palliative Care Healthy Aging Parent-Child, Adolescent & Transgenerational Health Cardiovascular Care

Quotation Mark What keeps me going is the notion that I'm helping patients. That in the future I will hopefully help more people with my research. And the support of the faculty, really. They know how to mentor, to push and challenge me as a student and to explore things that I might not recognize within myself. Faith Lambert, MS, RN, FNP-BC Research Interests: Adolescent & adult health, health disparities, HIV Meet PhD Students

Join the next cohort of PhD students

The PhD in Nursing & Health Science program admits a small cohort each fall. From day one, you will work closely with your mentor, receive assistance with coursework and grant writing, and work alongside your peers to discover how to pursue research that makes an impact.

Our PhD Students

News & Stories

UR Nursing Researchers Present, Earn Prizes at ENRS

Apr 15, 2024

UR Nursing’s Abu-Ba’are Leads $2.3M Study on Improving HIV Prevention, Care in Ghana

Dec 18, 2023

UR Nursing Researchers Recognized at American Heart Association Scientific Sessions

Nov 21, 2023

Marie Flannery, PhD, RN, AOCN

Director, PhD Program in Nursing & Health Science Associate Professor of Nursing

Natalie Leblanc, PhD, MPH, RN, BSN

Assistant Professor Harriet J. Kitzman Endowed Fellow in Health Disparities

Jinjiao Wang, PhD, RN

Postdoctoral Program Director Center for Nursing Research on Aging

James McMahon, PhD

Endowed Chair for Innovation in Health Care Associate Professor

Connect With Us

Interested in earning your PhD? Connect with us to discuss the PhD degree in nursing and health science and the opportunities available at the University of Rochester. 

Request Info

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Learn about our commitment to social justice and health equality and anti-racism.

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Learn more about Admissions at Columbia Nursing, including important dates and deadlines, and how to apply to all of our programs. 

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Explore the research areas of focus conducted by our faculty, postdocs, and students.

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The ColumbiaDoctors Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Group, combines evidence-based practice with a personalized approach to provide quality care.

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Global opportunities for clinical practicum and research may be available for MDE and doctoral students at Columbia Nursing.

Doctor of Philosophy

Doctor of philosophy (phd), ignite your future with a columbia nursing phd.

The Columbia University School of Nursing PhD program is a full-time, research-intensive curriculum that prepares nurses for careers as nurse scientists who will conduct research across a broad range of populations and health conditions. Importantly, much of our research is focused on health disparity populations with the long-term goal of informing health policy and clinical practice across the lifespan.

Columbia Nursing provides three years (eight semesters) of funding for tuition, related fees, health insurance, and a stipend for full-time PhD students.

Program Design

Our PhD program provides students with an understanding of the philosophical and theoretical underpinnings of nursing science and a strong foundation in research methods (design, statistics, measurement, quantitative and qualitative methods) for clinical, translational and health services research. All students are mentored by research advisors with active programs of research as they move toward independent research and assume the roles of doctorally prepared nurse scientists.  

As a Columbia Nursing PhD student, you will learn to:

• Design, conduct, and report multidisciplinary research studies that increase knowledge to improve the health and well-being of patients and families across the lifespan
• Advance the state of the science in a substantive area of research through application of innovative and rigorous methods
• Promote health and well-being for individuals and families in the context of their communities
• Provide leadership in improving the health care delivery system at local, national, and international levels
• Collaborate with other professionals to evaluate and develop policies for delivery of health service
• Translate evidence accumulated through research into practice and policy at multiple levels

As part of Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC), Columbia Nursing enjoys a unique collaboration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons, the Mailman School of Public Health, and the College of Dental Medicine. CUIMC provides myriad opportunities for interprofessional collaboration in research . 

The PhD curriculum builds on the foundation of nursing science by bringing together practice, policy, translational research, and leadership. The core courses provide the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct relevant and well-designed research studies. Electives strengthen an area of clinical interest or intensify understanding of a specific research or analytic method. 

Both post-master's and post-BSN students admitted to the program will complete a minimum of 57 credits. The curriculum plan is designed to make it possible to complete the program in three years for those students with clearly defined plans for their dissertation research.

PhD courses are offered in three major areas:

• Theoretical foundations of nursing science
• Analytical foundations of nursing science
• Electives and application

Students must be registered as full-time for the duration of the program (typically three to four years). The minimum number of semester credits in required coursework is 37 (four semesters) for eligibility to progress to the qualifying exam. Six of the 37 credits required to be completed prior to the qualifying examination are elective courses tailored to the student’s dissertation topic and/or dissertation methods. The PhD program requires nine credits of elective courses. A minimum of 57 total credits is required for program completion. 

Concurrent with Coursework

• Research Experience (participating in faculty research projects and/or a research practicum)
• Research Faculty Training

Request a Sample Academic Program Plan

Qualifying Examination

The qualifying examination helped me to combine the content I learned in my courses and my research interests so I could further articulate my research question. Performing a scoping review on my topic of interest immersed me in the current literature and was crucial to the development of my dissertation. This experience prepared me to successfully work independently through the rest of my Ph.D.

 Kylie Dougherty, BSN, RN, M.Phil.

In addition to coursework, students must successfully complete a qualifying examination with written and oral components. The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) is awarded after successful completion of the qualifying examination and the student enters doctoral candidacy status.

Dissertation

Students are expected to successfully defend a dissertation reporting original research. Four dissertation credits are required each semester during the dissertation phase of study. 

Scholarship Expectations

My advisor and the Columbia Nursing faculty provided me exceptional guidance throughout the PhD program to extend my learning beyond the classroom with the goal of becoming an independent nurse scientist. I learned valuable skills and knowledge to successfully obtain a NIH-funded predoctoral training award, present research findings at local, regional, and national conferences, and publish manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals with good impact factors.

Joseph Belloir, MSN, RN, PMHNP-BC

• Publication: At least one manuscript published in an appropriate peer-reviewed journal.
• Grantsmanship: At least one grant application submitted to an appropriate funding agency or organization.
• Presentation: At least one abstract submitted for presentation as a poster or oral presentation at an appropriate professional meeting.
• Networking: Student will attend at least one regional or national research meeting.

Preparation for Postdoctoral Fellowship: Research Career Next Step 

The coursework and research mentoring at Columbia Nursing helped prepare me for the next steps in my education and career post-PhD. In addition to structured coursework and educational seminars, the school provided beneficial informal support and resources. Feedback sessions with both peers and faculty were very helpful in preparing me to present posters and presentations at research conferences. The school also provided funds for travel to conferences where I presented my research. The grant writing workshop and mock reviews of grant applications provided me with tools and feedback needed to successfully apply for additional funding for my research. Finally, interdisciplinary research collaborations with faculty provided me with opportunities to work with researchers from several disciplines to complete my dissertation.

Melissa Beauchemin, PhD '19, MS '10, RN

PhD Student Handbook

The Columbia Nursing PhD student handbook provides information to aid doctoral students in planning coursework and proceeding through all phases of the program.

Request a PhD Student Handbook

What is it like to be a PhD student at Columbia Nursing?

Required courses (excluding electives).

Building upon the foundations provided in the quantitative and qualitative research method courses, in this course students examine advanced methods and frameworks frequently used in studying health policy, health services research problems and comparative effectiveness research. In addition to a critical review of the methods, the course examines the relationship among science, policy and healthcare delivery, and identifies critical questions shaping the future policy research agenda.

Interdisciplinary research is an approach to advancing scientific knowledge in which researchers from different disciplines work at the borders of those disciplines in order to address complex questions and problems. Successful interdisciplinary efforts require mastery of specific competencies. This seminar will introduce students to competencies in interdisciplinary research through a combination of readings, case studies, and lectures in each necessary aspect, chosen from fields essential to successful interdisciplinary research. It is intended to assist learners to understand why and how different professional disciplines must work together to generate and disseminate knowledge. We will examine: different conceptualizations of interdisciplinary; barriers to and facilitators of interdisciplinary research; approaches, benefits, and limitations of collaboration and team science; methods for measuring interdisciplinary collaboration; the intersection of translational and interdisciplinary scientific strategies; and individual researchers' experiences with and evaluations of their own interdisciplinary scientific projects. Learners will develop a set of skills to be effective members and leaders of interdisciplinary research teams.

The student works with a faculty member or other scientist who is conducting a research project. The specific nature of the experience depends on the nature and stage of the research, but might include search and review of relevant literature, data collection, data analysis and/or grant preparation.

This course is intended for PhD students who are engaged in relevant scholarly activities that are associated with dissertation research.

This foundational course will examine the philosophy of nursing knowledge including foundations of nursing theory, concept development, and its application to research. Students will explore approaches to the analysis and development of concepts and the application of nursing concepts and frameworks to clinical practice and research. Ideas, assumptions, events, people, and writings are examined for their influence, inter-relationships, and significance to nursing. Types of reasoning will be evaluated within the context of nursing and health. Major theories, frameworks, and concepts of nursing and health and their implication for research will be discussed. The focus of the course will be on development of critical thinking skills in analyzing key elements of philosophies, concepts, and conceptual frameworks.

In this foundational course students will study the links between theory and the psychosocial and biophysical measures used in nursing research.  Students will employ the principles of classical test theory and item response theory to evaluate the reliability and validity of measurement.  Application of computational techniques will be covered in the lab portion of the course.  Course topics include types and uses of measures, item/scale development and validation, survey methods, reporting for publication, and the relationships between measurement and research ethics, cultural competency, and health disparities.

This course provides a foundation for quantitative research methods and design. Research process topics examined include: appraisal of the quality of existing evidence; identification of gaps in the literature; formulation of researchable questions and testable hypotheses; types of research variables; sampling designs and power analyses; and the uses, strengths, and weaknesses of various experimental and quasi-experimental research designs.

This course provides an in-depth examination of qualitative study designs and methods through a combination of theoretical discussion and hands-on practical experience. Topics include paradigm distinctions, theoretical perspectives, designs and methods, critique of research reports, and ethical issues in qualitative research.

The course is intended for PhD students who are engaged in relevant scholarly activities that are not associated with the required course sequence. Such activities must accrue more than 20 hours/week.

This course is intended to provide a hands-on introduction to delivering data visualizations to serve as a critical lens through which individual and population level health can be examined. The proposed course will combine concepts and theory in data visualization and exploration and practice to enable the student to gain the necessary knowledge to use graphics and statistics to explore the data, find and construct a narrative, and share findings in ways colleagues and decision-makes can readily understand and act upon.

This course is designed to provide the tools for the doctorally prepared nurse to evaluate, translate and integrate published research results into clinical practice. During the course, students will learn how to conceptualize clinical practice problems and transform them into answerable clinical research questions, how to search for the best clinical evidence, and how to assess clinical evidence using basic epidemiological, biostatistical and scientific principles. The course will culminate in a systematic review or meta-analysis of a body of research relevant to advanced practice nursing.

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PhD in Nursing Program

The PhD program prepares nurse scientists to provide leadership through scientific inquiry and innovative practice. Faculty of the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing believe that significant learning at the doctoral level occurs best within a mentor-type model. Highly individualized plans of study provide each student the opportunity to develop depth of expertise and research capability within a specialized area. Graduates of the PhD program are prepared to assume positions as faculty, researchers, and leaders in educational, community, governmental, or institutional settings.

PhD Program Options

This program enables highly qualified students to pursue doctoral study directly from a bachelor’s degree program in nursing. Learn more in the handbook >>

MS/MSN to PhD

This program is for students who have already earned a master’s degree in nursing or a related field. Learn more in the handbook >>

Dual-Title PhD in Nursing & Bioethics

This dual-title degree option provides Nursing PhD students with the skills and knowledge necessary to fully engage ethical issues within the discipline of nursing, to conduct original bioethics research, and produce bioethics-related scholarship.

Nursing PhD students may pursue additional training in bioethics through the dual-title PhD program in Nursing and Bioethics. Students must apply and be admitted to the graduate program in Nursing and the Graduate School before they can apply for admission to the dual-title degree program. Admission to the dual-title is determined upon review of all application materials by the admissions committee in Bioethics. 

Students on this path explore the skills and knowledge needed to address ethical issues, conduct original bioethics research, and produce related scholarship. To qualify for the dual-title degree, students must satisfy the requirements of the Nursing PhD program as well as those of the Bioethics program committee.  Learn more in the handbook >>

Dual-Title PhD in Nursing & Clinical and Translational Sciences (CTS)

The dual-title degree option provides Nursing PhD students with additional preparation for career paths that involve clinical trials or clinical research programs.

Nursing PhD students may pursue additional training in clinical and translational sciences (CTS) through the dual-title PhD program in Nursing and CTS. Students must apply and be admitted to the graduate program in Nursing and the Graduate School before they can apply for admission to the dual-title degree program. Admission to the dual-title is determined upon review of all application materials by the admissions committee in CTS. 

The dual-title PhD program in Nursing and CTS allows nursing PhD students to pursue additional preparation for career paths that involve clinical trials or clinical research programs. In addition to satisfying the requirements of the Nursing PhD program, students must satisfy additional requirements established by the CTS program committee. Within this framework, course selection is determined by the student, their Nursing adviser, and the CTS program adviser. Learn more in the handbook >>

Full descriptions of our program outcomes, course descriptions, requirements, and plans of study are available in the PhD Handbook .

Why penn state nursing.

Home to experts who push the bounds of our knowledge and refine the translation of that knowledge into real-world application, Penn State Nursing is a premier educator of the next generation of nurse leaders. You can work alongside one of our American Academy of Nursing Fellows and world-renowned experts who will mentor you along your educational journey.

Penn State Nursing has a variety of research opportunities , and our Center for Nursing Research team is poised to help secure unique opportunities specific to you and your interests.

Research Areas :

• Gerontology & Aging
• Palliative & End-of-life Care
• Physiological & Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Health and Well-being
• Health and Healthcare Disparities
• Intervention and Implementation Science
• Nursing Education

For more information on our faculty research expertise, visit our Research Faculty page.

Locations :

• University Park

Funding Opportunities:

Select BSN to PhD are provided a minimum of four years of funding. Select MSN to PhD are provided a minimum of three years of funding. Continued funding is contingent upon such things as availability, grades, and assistantship evaluations. Applicants who wish to be considered for Fall 2024 funding must have a completed application submitted to the Graduate School prior to February 1, 2024.

Admissions :

Admission requirements are outlined on the Penn State Bulletin website. Applications to the program can be done through the Graduate School . For questions about the program, contact Susan Loeb , PhD program director.

• Request Information
• Research Faculty
• Current PhD Students

• cnpd.und.edu
• All UND sites

Ph.D. in Nursing

Preparing nurse scientists.

The Ph.D. in Nursing program at the University of North Dakota will educate you to synthesize in-depth knowledge of rural health and underserved populations, integrate philosophical and theoretical underpinnings of science to guide research, conduct ethical and rigorous research, and contribute to a global community of scholars.

Application Information

Applications open January 2024 and are due June 1, 2024.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

HOW TO APPLY

Collaborative Opportunities

Students get the opportunity to collaborate with the Center for Rural Health, the federally funded USDA Human Nutrition Research Center, the National Resource Center on Native American Aging, and the Mountain Plains Addiction Technology Transfer Center (MPATTC), and Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MPMHTTC), both located within the College of Nursing & Professional Disciplines, and funded by SAMHSA to serve Region 8 in the U.S.   

Online Courses

You’ll receive the convenience of online learning with the personal contact and connection of being with classmates through online tools to communicate across distances, allowing you to connect to others and their ideas and present information.

Program At a Glance

Join a highly collaborative environment at the University of North Dakota with unique resources to study rural health in behavioral and environmental contexts.

You will gain skills in:

• Rural health, rural and underserved populations, and rural programs and policies
• Conduct original research as a nurse scientist, which includes rural and underserved populations
• Disseminating new knowledge through publications and presentations
• Obtaining grant funding to support your research

Engage in an annual face-to-face intensive that supplements your online learning and immerses you in a community of scholars.

Before graduation, you’ll be required to develop and submit a nationally competitive grant to support your doctoral research, submit an article for publication to a refereed journal, and present dissertation progress or results to a regional or national audience. 

Ph.D. in Nursing Online Research Opportunities

UND has a variety of research opportunities for our online Nursing Ph.D. students. You'll get the opportunity to collaborate on active research with  the: 

• Center for Rural Health
• USDA Human Nutrition Research Center   (federally funded)
• National Resource Center on Native American Aging
• Mountain Plains Addiction Technology Transfer Center (MPATTC)
• Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MPMHTTC)

The MPATTC and MPMHTTC are both located within UND's College of Nursing & Professional Disciplines and funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA) to serve Region 8 in the U.S.

Nursing Ph.D. Program Outcomes

Upon completion of the Ph.D. degree, students will be possess the following abilities:

• Synthesize in-depth knowledge of behavioral and environmental aspects of rural health and underserved populations
• Discuss the need to conduct research with rural and underserved populations
• Translate nursing research to inform healthcare practice and policy
• Integrate philosophical and theoretical underpinnings of science to guide research
• Conduct original research that is ethical and rigorous
• Provide professional and research mentorship to others
• Contribute to a global community of scholars

It was curiosity that led Tanya Trotter to pursue a Ph.D. in Nursing at UND.

Alumni Stories

Our alumni share why they pursued UND's Ph.D. in Nursing program.

Tim Fuss, '19 ( Open this section)

Tim Fuss, a 2019 Ph.D. graduate is employed as an Associate Professor of Nursing at Montgomery College in Silver Spring, MD. Tim’s dissertation research is on the relationship of activity and fatigue in men receiving external beam radiation for prostate cancer. While he was in the program, Tim had the opportunity to participate in several research practicum experiences at the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), under the mentorship of Dr. Leorey Saligan, a scientist who leads the Symptoms Biology Unit at NINR. This allowed Tim to work with and learn from members of an interdisciplinary team, with expertise in nursing, genomics, and neuroscience. During his practicum experiences, Tim was able to interact with patients, collect and analyze data, work in the lab, and present posters at NIH and a national nursing conference. Tim also attended the 2017 NINR Boot Camp, “Precision Health: From ‘Omics’ to Data Science” which focused on application of genomics to nursing practice and the emerging use of “big data.” 

In relation to his experience in the Ph.D. Nursing program at UND, Tim stated:

“I chose UND because it was a respected public institution with an online Ph.D. program, supplemented with campus visits. UND is large enough to have ample resources but small enough to receive personal attention from faculty and staff. Living near NIH, UND was the perfect option to combine resources for on-site research with classes and faculty available online. Through the campus visits, face to face interactions with classmates and faculty have allowed me to form relationships and friendships that will last for a lifetime.”

Mel Brandau, Ph.D., '16 ( Open this section)

Dr. Melvina “Mel” Brandau is a 2016 graduate of the Ph.D. in Nursing program. Dr. Brandau is employed as an Assistant Professor in the School of Nursing at Ohio University, in Athens, OH.  Dr. Brandau’s dissertation research was a grounded theory of victims’ experiences with cyberbullying in adolescence, and she continues with this topic as her focus of research. 

Dr. Brandau expressed this, about her experience as a Ph.D. student at UND:

“The University of North Dakota’s Ph.D. in nursing program gave me the knowledge and skills I needed to be successful as a nurse scientist. Even more so, I felt encouraged and supported, and that went a long way in building up my confidence. As a tenure-track faculty member, I know now that UND was a great choice and I feel well-prepared to move forward in my career.”

Laurie Johansen, Ph.D., '17 ( Open this section)

Dr. Laurie Johansen is a 2017 graduate of the Ph.D. in Nursing program at UND.  She is currently the Chair/Director of Nursing at Southwest Minnesota State University.  Dr. Johansen’s program of research reflects her passion for rural nursing practice and rural populations.  Her dissertation was titled “ Commuting away: The experiences of R.N.s who live in rural communities and commute away for employment in non-rural communities”   and a portion of her study is featured in a book chapter of Winter & Lee’s (2018)   Rural Nursing: Concepts, Theory, and Practice   (5 th   ed.). Additional publications from Dr. Johansen’s dissertation are also in progress.  Dr. Johansen’s research has important implications for improving the recruitment and retention of nurses in rural communities, and ultimately, improving the health of rural populations by helping to insure their access to a stable nursing workforce.

In reflection of her education at UND, Dr. Johansen stated:

"The online learning environment at the University of North Dakota (UND) provided me with the opportunity to advance my education as a distance learner. Being a graduate of the UND Ph.D. in Nursing Program, I feel prepared as a nurse scientist to pursue my research interests. Broadened understanding of the complexities of rural health and rural nursing is in my future and the future of those I serve, as I eagerly pursue my program of research. What a wonderful opportunity!"

Nursing Ph.D. Faculty

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Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Taking Nursing Knowledge Further

Credit Hours

View Courses

100% online,* 8-week courses

Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total

Complete Our Online DNP Program and Perform at the Highest Level of Nursing Practice!

Are you a post-master nursing professional who wants to take your career to new heights? Liberty University’s online Doctor of Nursing Practice degree can help take you to a new level of advanced nursing practice within your desired specialty. You will be trained in the doctoral-level skills necessary to apply evidence-based clinical decision-making and culturally competent care to individuals, families, and community populations while promoting the synthesis of academic knowledge with ethically sound nursing practice.

With specialized training in nursing at the graduate level and nursing experience, you already have many practical skills for solving real-world problems in healthcare practice. Liberty University’s DNP program provides the training and scholarship in nursing leadership, management techniques, and advanced nursing practice that you need for the next step in your career. By earning your DNP online with Liberty University, you can gain the skills you need to become a leader in the nursing field and help hospitals and health practices thrive.

*Some exclusions apply. Please refer to our exclusions page for more information.

Licensure requirements may vary and are subject to change without notice. View your state’s requirements here: licensure/certification requirements .

Ranked in the Top 10% of Niche.com’s Best Online Schools in America

• What Sets Us Apart?
• Private Nonprofit University
• 600+ Online Degrees
• No Standardized Testing for Admission
• Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
• Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree

Why Choose Liberty’s Online Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree?

Our online DNP degree is an industry leader in nursing practice programs, taught by nursing professionals with real-world experience. As an advanced practice nurse or nurse leader, you can build on your knowledge of clinical prevention, population health, and policy through the application of evidence and collaboration with stakeholders and professionals, setting you apart from your peers.

These opportunities will be provided to you in an online format that is enhanced through the opportunity to receive hands-on experience through practicums. Liberty University’s online courses provide a flexible and practical approach to your doctoral education that can help you meet your career goals while staying in your current role.

Accreditation

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and the postgraduate APRN certificate program at Liberty University School of Nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, bachelor’s, master’s, specialist, and doctoral degrees.

For questions about the accreditation of Liberty University, please contact: Commission on Colleges 1866 Southern Ln. Decatur, GA 30033-4097 (404) 679-4500 Inquiries about the institution itself, such as admission requirements, financial aid, educational programs, etc., should be addressed directly to Liberty University.

What Will You Study in Our Doctor of Nursing Practice Online Degree Program?

Liberty University’s DNP online degree is based on the curriculum guidelines set forth by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s ( AACN ) “Essentials for Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice.” Throughout the program, you can learn to apply theoretical, clinical, and administrative knowledge as well as best practices and policy to design and implement inter-collaborative innovative solutions to improve healthcare.

Additionally, you will engage in cutting-edge research that can help prepare you to address real-world problems in the nursing industry so you can become an expert in the field. With hands-on work in your practicums and your scholarly project, you will have the opportunity to apply what you learn.

Potential Career Opportunities

• Clinical researcher
• Healthcare manager
• Nursing administrator
• University professor

Featured Courses

• NURS 700 – Advanced Nursing Research
• NURS 716 – Applications of Evidence-Based Care
• NURS 832 – Clinical Prevention and Biostatistics
• NURS 834 – Healthcare Operations and Financial Management

Course guides available upon request

Degree Information

• This DNP program falls under the School of Nursing .
• View the Graduate Nursing Course Guides (login required) .
• The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and the postgraduate APRN certificate program at Liberty University School of Nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

Additional Information

Disclosures, rn licensure.

Students must hold a current and active RN license within the United States.

Non-Discrimination Statement

View the School of Nursing Non-Discrimination Statement .

For advising, please contact [email protected].

Disclosure Statement

Enrollment in one of Liberty University’s licensure programs does not guarantee a degree from Liberty or qualification for licensure. Students are responsible for meeting all academic and professional requirements for graduation. Further information regarding these academic and professional requirements is outlined on this program page and the admission requirements page linked on the Admission Requirements tab. Students enrolled in a licensure program are responsible for knowing the material outlined for their program. Further, it is the sole responsibility of the student, not the institution, to obtain information regarding prerequisites for licensure as outlined by their particular state Board of Nursing.

Licensure requirements for any state are subject to change without notice. Liberty University is not responsible for knowing when changes occur. Additionally, there might be other states with unique licensure requirements. Please reference our State Requirements for NP and APRN Licensure page and contact your State Board of Nursing for further information.

Liberty University Online State Approval Disclosure

Licensure requirements for any state are subject to change without notice. View the licensure/certification requirements for your state .

Practicum Sites

For additional questions related to practicums, please reach out to the School of Nursing at [email protected] .

Degree Completion Plan (PDF)

Not sure what to choose?

Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.

• Tuition & Aid

Your success is our success, which is why we are committed to providing quality academics at an affordable tuition rate. While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have frozen tuition rates for the majority of our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for the past 9 years – and counting.

Eligible current and former military service members and their spouses may qualify for a special rate of $300/credit hour ( learn more ) .

All Tuition & Fees

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Financial Aid Forms & Eligibility

Scholarship Opportunities

Admission Information for Our Online DNP Degree Program

Admission requirements.

At this time, our DNP degree is limited in certain states. Please view the licensure/certification requirements for your state. International students can contact the School of Nursing related to their degree interest.

Enrollment in one of Liberty University’s licensure programs does not guarantee a degree from Liberty or qualification for licensure. Students are responsible for meeting all academic and professional requirements for graduation. Further information regarding these academic and professional requirements are outlined on the program page and here on the admission requirements page. Students enrolled in a licensure program are responsible for knowing the material outlined for their program. Further, it is the sole responsibility of the student, not Liberty University, to obtain information regarding prerequisites for licensure as outlined by their particular state Board of Nursing.

Licensure requirements for any state are subject to change without notice. Liberty University is not responsible for knowing when changes occur. Additionally, there might be other states with unique licensure requirements. Please reference our State Requirements for NP and APRN Licensure page for further information.

• A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required) .
• Send official college transcripts (sealed, unopened copies or via a direct electronic transcript system). Admission requires that you have transcripts showing a regionally or nationally accredited MSN degree accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). A master’s degree in nursing with at least a 3.0 GPA is required for admission in good standing.
• Current and active RN license issued in one of the fifty United States. (If a past sanction or disciplinary action exists on a professional license, the applicant may be contacted by the Nursing Admissions Review Committee for further explanation.)
• If applicable: Advanced practice nurses will need to submit a current and active APRN license and professional certification. Nurse leaders are not required to provide a license/certification (if applicable). (If a past sanction or disciplinary action exists on a professional license, the applicant may be contacted by the Nursing Admissions Review Committee for further explanation.)
• If applicable: Clinical APRN Education: Advanced practice nurses must demonstrate required advanced practice core courses. Graduate transcripts must reflect that the applicants have successfully passed a graduate-level health assessment, graduate-level pathophysiology, and a graduate-level pharmacology.
• Answer the following prompts using APA rules of grammar. First person is permitted; APA formatting (i.e. title page, headers) is not needed. Return the completed writing sample to [email protected].
• Part I: In 1,000 words or fewer, please describe your professional nursing career. In addition, please include how you incorporate your worldview in your current profession.
• Part II: Please describe your vision for your scholarly project and post-doctoral practice in 1,000 words or fewer.
• Practicum Hour Verification Form
• Name of present or most recent employment and position
• Length of Employment (Indicate in MM/DD/YY to MM/DD/YY. If still employed, write ‘current’ as the end date)
• American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Providers with AED.
• Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy .

Supplemental Acceptance Steps

If an acceptance offer is extended to an applicant, there will be additional application steps needed before attending courses. Included in these steps is the purchase of a standardized background check and submission of immunization records. More information will be provided to selected applicants.

Preliminary Acceptance

If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:

• Be in your final term and planning to start your doctoral degree after the last day of class for your master’s degree.
• Complete a Master’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
• Submit an official transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show that you are within 6 credit hours of completion for a 30-48 credit hour master’s degree or within 9 credit hours of completion for a 49+ credit hour master’s degree.
• Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new doctoral degree.

Transcript Policies

Official college transcript policy.

An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to [email protected] .

Admissions Office Contact Information

(800) 424-9596

(888) 301-3577

Email for Questions

[email protected]

Email for Documents

[email protected]

Liberty University Online Admissions Verification

1971 University Blvd.

Lynchburg, VA 24515

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Submit your application online or over the phone.

Apply by phone: (800) 424-9595

Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.

Who May Qualify?

• Active Duty
• Reserve/National Guard
• Veterans/Retirees
• Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees

Military Tuition Discount

We want to help you find the doctoral degree you want – at a price you’ve earned. As a thank-you for your military service, Liberty University offers eligible current and former service members like you or your spouse multiple pathways to earn a doctoral degree for only $300/credit hour . Find out how you can take advantage of this unique opportunity as you work toward your goal of reaching the pinnacle of your profession – for less.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a doctor of nursing practice (dnp).

A Doctor of Nursing Practice or DNP is a terminal nursing degree that focuses on applying the latest health sciences research and technology to clinical nursing practice. The DNP helps build on nurses’ experience in practice and administrative roles to use advanced strategies and techniques to improve healthcare outcomes for hospitals and healthcare practices.

By examining hands-on nursing practice through the lens of large-scale studies and important advancements in health sciences, DNP graduates can help their hospitals and healthcare practices grow and provide better care. For a doctoral degree in nursing with a greater emphasis on scholarly research, you may be interested in the PhD in Nursing – Nursing Education .

What is the difference between nurse practitioner and Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees?

DNP and nurse practitioner programs offer many similar career options and content. However, there are important differences in how each program approaches the nursing field. Nurse practitioner programs focus on the clinical aspects of improving nursing practice, often with specialized studies in departmental or healthcare areas. These programs are generally designed to help meet certification requirements and may be the best option if you want to become a family nurse practitioner or psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice is a doctoral degree that pursues a balanced approach of practice and theory to solve problems in the nursing field. This program contains fewer credit hours than a typical nurse practitioner program and may be a great fit if you’re not looking to pursue additional licensure or certification.

Liberty University’s online DNP program guides you through cutting-edge research and studies that can help equip you to use advanced health assessment techniques to improve health outcomes in your practice. You could also gain the ability to teach and administrate nursing programs that help train the next generation of qualified healthcare professionals. If you want to be a nurse leader who can make a positive impact on healthcare, Liberty’s DNP may be the best next step for you.

What can you do with a DNP?

A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) can help open up many career paths for registered nursing professionals who have advanced nursing graduate degrees. With our DNP program, you can learn how to engage in ground-breaking scholarship, including clinical research, that can help many healthcare organizations improve how they approach patient care.

You can also gain a foundation of management and administration skills that can help you succeed in leadership roles or in the role of program director. By providing in-depth exposure to nursing practice at every level, your DNP degree can help open the door to university teaching where you can help prepare nursing students for the profession. You can pursue all of these options and more with a DNP degree from Liberty University.

Are online nursing programs respected?

Accredited online DNP programs meet the same requirements for academic quality, training, and content as residential degrees with the same credential. Liberty University’s online Doctor of Nursing Practice holds accreditation through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education ( CCNE ), so you can be confident in your degree. With state-of-the-art online training, you can gain new skills and build on your nursing practice to meet the unique challenges of your career.

What resources will be available to me in this program?

You will have access to state-of-the-art digital resources and full-time research staff to help you engage in top-tier research.

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Thomas Jefferson University apologizes for viral mispronunciations of nursing graduates' names at graduation

Thomas Jefferson University is apologizing after the names of some graduates from the nursing program were unrecognizably pronounced at their commencement, as seen in videos from the ceremony that have since gone viral.

The mispronunciations at the Jefferson College of Nursing commencement ceremony, which occurred May 9, according to the university's website , were attributed to the phonetic spellings written on the speaker's cards, the school said in a statement on X Friday.

For example, graduate Sarah Virginia Brennan's name was pronounced "Sayer Oo-voon Geen-goo Bree-none," according to a video from the ceremony. Maeve Elizabeth was pronounced "May-vee Lee Zu-beth." A Stephanie's first name was pronounced "Eff-uni," and a Jessica, "Jay-sic-u."

At one point, the speaker mispronounced “Thomas” as “Tom-mu-may” — before the graduate can be heard correcting the pronunciation.

"The leadership and faculty of Thomas Jefferson University extend our sincerest apologies for the mispronunciations of the names of several of our graduating nursing students during our recent commencement ceremony," the university said in the statement. "This ceremony is a celebration of the significant achievements of our students, and each graduate deserves to have their name honored correctly on this pivotal day."

Graduates seemingly walked across the stage in alphabetical order. A nearly five-minute video of the speaker announcing graduates with last names that start with "B" or "C" had more than 370,000 views by Friday afternoon. Another video, seemingly taken from the crowd at the ceremony, has received more than 2.4 million views, 230,000 likes and 2,000 comments.

"I can honestly say ... The Grads will never forget this moment ...," one commenter said.

"This can’t be real. If so SNL needs to re-create this," another added.

"Sarah was like … do you mean me?" a TikTok user wrote, with several crying-laughing emoji.

The ceremony saw a change in speaker once the last names reached "L," and the original announcer apologized to the crowd, as seen in another video of the ceremony shared to TikTok.

"And my apologies for the phonetic spelling or pronunciation of the names that was on the cards. I would have been better just reading from the book. My apologies, graduates," they said.

The university reiterated the cause of the errors, stating, "the mispronunciations occurred due to the way phonetic spellings were presented on the speaker's cards, which was noted when the presenter apologized during the ceremony."

"This unfortunate error does not reflect the immense respect we have for our graduates and the value we place on their hard-earned accomplishments," the statement concluded.

Thomas Jefferson University, located in Philadelphia, has three more commencement ceremonies scheduled, set for May 21 and 22.

Maddie Ellis is a weekend editor at TODAY Digital.

Augusta University nursing graduate looks to encourage others into the field

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - A nursing shortage is hitting everywhere across the United States.

By 2035, Georgia is expected to have a 21% shortage of registered nurses.

Right now, only 10% of registered nurses identify as Black, and 9% of the total nursing population identify as male.

Now, one Augusta University graduate is looking to become a role model to get more Black males into the field.

MORE | After 30 years, Augusta University graduate finishes college

“I’m here to be the light to other guys looking to go into the healthcare system because I noticed not a lot of us going into the nursing but I want to be inspiring to other males that look like me,” said Luke Anderson.

Anderson was the student speaker for the AU’s afternoon commencement ceremony, sharing how he couldn’t have been here today without the support of his two parents.

His mom says she is grateful to see her son graduate.

“My heart is so full of joy,” said Daphanie Harper, Anderson’s mom.

MORE | Gift ideas for graduation season part 2

She battled breast cancer twice.

“(The doctor said) Daphanie you can beat it or you can die, and I chose to live. So I’m standing here,” said Harper.

Through her treatment and battle, Anderson says one thing that stuck out to him was how caring the nurses were and how they were able to remain positive while saving his mom’s life. He says seeing that is what started his journey to have a cap and gown.

“Being a blessing to somebody else because you never know what somebody else is going through,” said Anderson. “So, having the capacity to do that for other people that are in need is just truly heartwarming to know because, at the end of the day, nursing is we’re here to serve and be the light to other people.”

Anderson will begin his nursing career working in the emergency ICU at the Piedmont Hospital System.

Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.

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VUSN faculty honored with advocacy award, fellowships

Ruth Kleinpell

Three Vanderbilt School of Nursing faculty members were recently recognized for excellence across various nursing disciplines with fellow designations and major awards. Independence Foundation Professor of Nursing Education Ruth Kleinpell, PhD, FAAN, FAANP, FNAP, MCCM, was honored for nurse practitioner advocacy. Assistant Professor Michael Gooch, DNP, MSN’05, and Assistant Professor Mulubrhan Mogos, PhD, FAHA, were awarded fellowships that exemplify excellence in the nursing profession.

Kleinpell received the prestigious 2024 American Association of Nurse Practitioners Tennessee State Advocate Award for Excellence. The State Advocate Award recognizes those who advance the nurse practitioner’s role, particularly in policy and advocacy.

Kleinpell has a long history of advocating for nursing and nurse practitioners, including advocacy for removing barriers to full practice authority for nurse practitioners. Her recent research assessed the impact temporary COVID-19 policies had on advanced practice nursing. Kleinpell serves as VUSN’s associate dean for clinical scholarship.

Michael Gooch

Gooch was named a 2024 Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and joins a group of just over 900 nurse practitioners who have made substantial contributions to NP education, policy, clinical practice and research. He will be inducted into the academy during the AANP National Conference in Nashville on June 27.

Gooch was also inducted recently as a Fellow of the Academy of Air & Surface Transport Nurses at the Critical Care Transport Medicine Conference in Orange Beach, AL. He joins a group of inductees who have made enduring and substantial contributions to advance the critical care transport nursing profession. He is a board-certified acute care, family and emergency nurse practitioner and primarily works with the Emergency NP program at Vanderbilt.

Mulubrhan Mogos

Mogos was elected a Fellow of the American Heart Association, one of the world’s most renowned organizations of cardiovascular, stroke and brain health professionals. The FAHA designation recognizes professional and scientific accomplishments, volunteer leadership and service in support of the AHA mission. Mogos researches cardiovascular health with an emphasis on maternal health.

He will be inducted at the Scientific Sessions in Chicago in November.

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