phd in nursing florida

• Patient Care

College of Nursing

Quick links, graduate program, phd program in nursing science.

The PhD in Nursing Science program prepares scientists to contribute to empirical knowledge and scholarship in nursing science. We prepare graduate students to perform in a range of health-related professional roles and function in interdisciplinary teams. Our graduates move on to provide leadership to community, professional, and scientific organizations. 

Learn more about our program

The USF College of Nursing highly values the support and development of a unique and diverse community of scholars and is committed to recruiting a diverse pool of applicants who are highly motivated to achieve the PhD in Nursing Science objectives. Admission to the program is based on a number of factors that measure a student's potential for academic success at the doctoral level in alignment with our research pillars. Explore our research pillars and meet our team of researchers .

• Apply directly to the Fall semester you plan to begin classes at the university.
• Select the PhD in Nursing Science as your degree level and Tampa as the campus.
• International students must submit the university application no later than February 15th.
• Wait until you receive your U Number from USF Admissions before starting the NursingCAS application.
• All supplementary materials must be complete prior to submitting your application.
• Applicants with a bachelor’s degree in other fields may also be considered.
• Applicants with a master’s degree in other fields may also be considered.
• Applicants must have the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree completed to enter this pathway.
• Applicants are required to write a 3-part essay outlining professional research goals and interests for the PhD in Nursing Science. View the guideline document here .
• Students will be required to identify 1-2 faculty mentors and how your scholarly interests would be facilitated by working with them specifically. To learn more about our researchers' expertise, view our Nursing Science Without Limits video playlist and find faculty members whose research and scholarly expertise match your area of research interest. Be sure to contact them prior to including them in your statement of goals and research interests.
• Please use the personal statement to emphasize how you will contribute to the community of scholars at USF. View the guideline document here .
• Curriculum Vitae
• Licensure as a registered nurse in the state of Florida is only required if research involves clinical work.
• We highly recommend seeking letters of recommendation from the following individuals: academic nursing faculty or instructor, nursing or clinical supervisor, and PhD-prepared nurse or researcher.
• Competitive letters will be formatted on letter head and physically signed by the professional submitting a recommendation on your behalf.

Important Information:

All admitted nursing students are required to complete a background check, immunization verification, and drug screening. Additionally, students will be required to provide proof of current health insurance. Admitted students will be provided with the steps to complete this process.

To learn more, please consult the Graduate Catalog.

There are three entry points to the PhD program:

• BS-PhD (4-5 years of full-time study) 80 credit hours
• MS-PhD (3-4 years of full-time study) 64 credit hours
• DNP-PhD (2-3 years of full-time study) 52 credit hours

Specific requirements are determined on an individual basis by the student’s supervisory committee. Students are to meet with faculty mentor for individual program planning after being selected for admission.

Curriculum Overview

• Core – 40 Credit hours Required for all PhD pathways
• Content area and additional coursework – 25 credit hours Post-bachelor’s requirement only
• Advanced Directed Research – 3 credit hours Post-bachelor’s and post-master’s requirement only
• Cognate – 9 credit hours Post-master’s requirement only
• Dissertation – 12 credit hours Required for all PhD pathways

Format: We offer live classes on the Tampa campus each semester in conjunction with Canvas for online learning. Please see our PhD Program Plans for more information.

Teaching Certification: PhD students who take the 13 credit hour Nursing Certificate Program are eligible to sit for the certification exam offered by the National League for Nursing (NLN) Certification for Nurse Educators (CNE) program. Students who have master’s degrees in nursing would be eligible to sit for the certification exam after completing 9 nursing education credit hours. Students who hold bachelor’s degrees would sit for the exam after being awarded their PhD degree.

Please review the USF College of Nursing Student Handbook for more details about the PhD in Nursing Science academic policies, procedures, and standards.

Applicants who meet the admission requirements should complete the steps below to successfully apply:

1. Submit a Graduate Admissions Application

• USF Graduate Admissions Application
• For all questions, contact the USF Admissions Office at (813) 974-3350 or email [email protected] .
• Applicants will receive an eight digit university ID number ( U Number) upon submission of the university application. This will be required to complete the NursingCAS application for the PhD program.
• Note: Do not upload supplemental documentation; please bypass these sections of the application (e.g., test scores, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and personal statements). All supplementary materials, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and supporting documents should only be sent and uploaded to the NursingCAS application.

2. Submit a NursingCAS Application

• NursingCAS Application
• All documentation (e.g., transcripts, resume, letters of recommendation, certifications, etc.) must be uploaded to NursingCAS and applications must reach the verified status by the deadline for applications to be considered.
• For technical questions regarding your NursingCAS account, please contact NursingCAS at 617-612-2880 or [email protected] . Please refer to the Application Deadlines tab for reference if you do not see your desired term of entry in NursingCAS.

Interview Requirement: In addition to fulfilling the application requirements, a personal interview with faculty members of the PhD Admissions, Curriculum, and Academic Affairs Committee will be required.

Learn more by viewing the graduate information session and application workshop .

International Applicants

• Foreign Transcripts: All coursework and degrees completed outside the United States require a course-by-course evaluation from an approved evaluating agency. Please note this process could take three to six months. A list of foreign transcript evaluation services is provided by the USF Office of International Admissions . The Florida Board of Nursing maintains its own list of approved evaluating agencies . Transcripts from foreign institutions that have gone through an official transcript evaluation service must be received by NursingCAS electronically or in their original sealed envelopes by the application deadline. Click here for a detailed guide on how to submit these transcripts directly to NursingCAS. Note: NursingCAS will not accept foreign transcripts that have not gone through an official evaluation process with an approved vendor. Please complete the evaluation process before sending transcripts from a foreign institution.
• English Language: Applicants from countries where English is not the official language must demonstrate English proficiency. Please visit the USF Office of International Admissions for completion details.
• Scholarships/Funding: Students that require university funds and/or scholarships to attend the PhD in Nursing Science program must identify and qualify for funding sources offered by the College of Nursing. Additional screening steps may be required for students coming from a country of concern. Please visit the USF HR website for more information on the screening process. Students who do not clear HR screening will not be eligible for university funding.

USF Tampa Campus – Fall Entry Only

• NursingCAS application opens: August 15th
• NursingCAS priority deadline for university funding: December 15th
• NursingCAS and USF Admissions final deadline for international applicants: February 15th
• NursingCAS final deadline for domestic (US citizen or permanent resident) applicants: July 1st

Priority admission and consideration for financial support will be limited to those meeting the priority deadline of December 15th

What is the difference between the PhD in Nursing Science and the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)?

Click here for the comparison details.

Meet our program staff

Florida State University

FSU | College of Nursing

College of Nursing

Doctor of philosophy in nursing (ph.d.).

We appreciate your looking at the FSU College of Nursing’s Ph.D. program. We established the program to address the profound shortages of nurse scientists and nursing faculty. Our program is heavily focused on health disparities and efforts to address them through thoughtful interventions tailored to the needs of the vulnerable. We will open our admission window this fall. We will be doing rolling admissions. This means that once your materials are complete, we will provide an admissions decision within two weeks. We have limited places in the program, so please apply as early as possible.

If you would like more information, please contact me. I am happy to answer e-mails or even schedule individual or group Zoom calls.

Jim Whyte, Ph.D., ND, FNAP, FAAN Professor Director of PhD in Nursing Science

The Florida State University College of Nursing, Ph.D. program is a research-intensive doctoral program that prepares nurses for careers as nurse scientists to conduct research; contribute to disciplinary and interdisciplinary knowledge in nursing and healthcare; and disseminate research findings through scholarly publications and presentations. 

Why Choose a Ph.D. in Nursing from Florida State University?

The Florida State University is a Carnegie Very High Research Activity Tier 1 University. Our faculty are world-renowned experts in evidence-based research practices and dissemination of scholarly works. Our aim is to develop the next generation of nurse scientists within research, practice, and education settings. Our students are provided access to cutting-edge facilities and opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration with noted researchers throughout Florida State University. With a Ph.D. in Nursing from FSU, you'll build the skills to develop and implement a scientific research program and launch your career.

Degree Requirements

Standard admissions.

1)    A Bachelor of Science degree in nursing with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.5.   2)    MSN/ DNP with a minimum graduate GPA of 3.0. All transfer courses require a grade of B or greater. Students will complete, in collaboration with their Major Professor, a plan of study. As the Ph.D. in Nursing exceeds the 32-credit threshold, courses may be applied to the study plan as appropriate (e.g. courses are either duplicated in the required courses delineated in the curricular plan, or directly support the area of study selected for the Ph.D.). These courses may not have been used to meet the requirements for another FSU degree. Students must complete the majority of course work at FSU (51%). The Ph.D. committee will approve each student’s plan of study including transfer credit. Further, all changes to the study plan will be approved in a similar manner. 3)    There will be no GRE/GMAT requirement. A GRE waiver application is pending with the Graduate School/GPC. 4)    Eligibility for licensure in Florida. Unencumbered RN licensure prior to candidacy. 5)    Evidence of writing skill based on the applicant’s admission essay reflecting on the student’s reasons for seeking a Ph.D. in Nursing and their associated aspirations related to contributions to nursing science. 6)    Evidence of skill in oral communication based on interview by the potential Major Professor and Ph.D. committee. 7)    Three professional letters of reference which reflect on the applicant’s potential for a career as a Nurse Scientist..

* GRE/MAT Waiver Criteria

The GRE requirement will be waived for outstanding applicants meeting ONE of the following criteria:

-A completed master’s degree with a 3.0 or better GPA from an accredited institution.

-A completed BSN (60 hours of nursing or RN to BSN courses) with a 3.5 GPA from an accredited institution.

GRE/MAT waiver request form

Applicants must provide evidence to satisfy the criteria being applied.  

Applicants with a competitive GRE or MAT score will still be able to apply to the program and will not be held to these additional criteria.

For those accredited institutions that are competency-based (no GPA assigned) the applicant must submit a GRE/MAT score.

International Students (F-1 Visa Holders)

While this is an online program, international students may enroll with the following additional requirements to meet the statutory requirements of their visa:   1)    International students from non-English speaking countries require an Internet based Test of English as a Foreign Language (IBTOEFL): 100. Paper based TOEFL: 550. International English Language Testing (IELTS) with a score of 7 is acceptable as well. 2)    While this is an on-line program, international students must meet the following face-to-face requirements for immigration purposes (F-1 Visa). For fall and spring semesters students must enroll in a minimum of 6 hours of face-to-face course work. There is no summer requirement, However, all students must enroll in a minimum of 2 credits during the final semester. 3)    J-1 Visa holders are not eligible for on-line classes.

 Apply Today!

  Deadline to apply for fall consideration is July 1st

Learning Outcomes

Research and Knowledge

⦁    Integrate nursing and other healthcare theories into the student’s program of research. ⦁    Conduct original research ⦁    Critique and integrate different scientific perspectives in the conduct of original research ⦁    Lead research teams and participate in team science in collaboration with other disciplines.

Health Policy

⦁    Generate and disseminate knowledge and theory relevant to health policy ⦁    State the influence of politics and policy on knowledge generation

⦁    Apply the history and philosophy of science during the development of research deliverables. ⦁    Structure research deliverables that include the evolving nature of the nursing discipline ⦁    Utilize professional and research ethics and judgment in the conduct of research

Dissemination and Grantsmanship

• Communicate research through publications and presentations for professional, interdisciplinary, and lay audience

Summer Intensives 

Summer intensive sessions require in-person visits to Florida State University College of Nursing main campus located in Tallahassee, Florida. Each will span 5 days and will include extensive class work, presentations and opportunities for direct faculty and student contact.   1)    Year-1: This session will center around the course entitled “Literature Synthesis for Nursing Science”. The goal will be that students will receive classroom sessions and direct interactions with faculty to facilitate their compilation of the beginning stages of the literature review that will eventually support the dissertation. 2)    Year-2: This session will focus on the course entitled “Preliminary Exam Preparation”. During this intensive session students will receive classroom sessions and guided faculty support as they prepare for their preliminary examination. 3)    Year-3: This session will be centered around a minimum of two dissertation hours. During this session, students will present their prospectus for the dissertation to their committee and student colleagues. This is meant to be a formal presentation but will be attended by all of the students to build a sense of academic community and facilitate academic engagement.

Ph.D. in Nursing Plan of Study

James Whyte IV, ND, Ph.D., FNAP, FAAN PhD Program Coordinator Email: [email protected] Phone: (850) 644-5359

College of Nursing Vivian M. Duxbury Hall 98 Varsity Way Tallahassee, FL 32306-4310   Map

  (850) 644-3296 Undergraduate:  [email protected]  

Graduate: [email protected]  

Link #1 Link #2 Link #3

Nursing (PhD) – BSN to PhD

Program at a glance.

• In State Tuition
• Out of State Tuition

Learn more about the cost to attend UCF.

The Doctor of Philosophy program in Nursing is designed to prepare students for positions as nursing faculty members, leaders in the application of innovative technologies to nursing education and clinical care, executive leaders in healthcare systems, and scientists who contribute to the body of nursing knowledge through their research. The BSN to PhD track is designed to support students in completing the PhD in a timely fashion to provide for a longer research career.

The PhD in Nursing program prepares nurse scholars to possess a body of knowledge about theory, processes, and methods of inquiry in the discipline of nursing. The program allows students to contribute to disciplinary and interdisciplinary knowledge in nursing and healthcare on the basis of sound conceptual, methodological, and ethical decision-making. Students in the BSN to PhD track will have focused support in grant writing for programs such as the National Research Service Award (NRSA). Although courses will be offered online, students are expected to actively engage in research activities with faculty, which may require on-campus time.

Program Outcomes

At the completion of the PhD in Nursing Program, graduates will be able to:

• Conduct research to generate a body of knowledge and test theories that advance nursing science.
• Develop a program of scholarship that integrates research, teaching, leadership, and service to the profession.
• Contribute to interdisciplinary solutions that advance health care in a global society.

International students (F or J visa) are required to enroll in a full-time course load of 9 credit hours during the fall and spring semesters. Only 3 of the 9 credit hours may be taken in a completely online format. For a detailed listing of enrollment requirements for international students, please visit http://global.ucf.edu/ . If you have questions, please consult UCF Global at 407-823-2337.

UCF is not authorized to provide online courses or instruction to students in some states. Refer to State Restrictions for current information.

Application Deadlines

• International

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Enter your information below to receive more information about the Nursing (PhD) – BSN to PhD program offered at UCF.

Track Prerequisites

• A Bachelor's Degree in nursing from an accredited institution or the equivalent.
• Licensure as a Registered Nurse in the state of Florida. (Does not apply to international applicants).

Degree Requirements

Foundation areas.

• NGR7115 - Philosophical and Ethical Foundations of Nursing Science (3)
• NGR7123 - Theory in Nursing Science (3)
• NGR7952 - Scientific Writing for Nurses and Healthcare Professionals (3)

Research Methods

• NGR7807 - Research Approaches and Designs for Nursing and Healthcare (3)
• NGR7815 - Qualitative Methods in Nursing Research and Healthcare I (3)
• NGR7817 - Quantitative Methods for Nursing and Healthcare I (3)
• NGR7818 - Quantitative Methods for Nursing and Healthcare II (3)
• NGR7812 - Advanced Study Design and Methods (3)
• NGR7823 - Psychometrics and Measurement for Nursing Research (3)
• NGR7916 - Research Grants Process and Proposal Writing (3)
• NGR7932 - Nursing Research Grants Process and Proposal Writing (3)
• NGR7919 - Doctoral Research (1 - 99)

Elective Courses

• Earn at least 15 credits from the following types of courses: Students must take three courses (9 credit hours) of supporting course work. The supporting course work is designed to permit students to gain additional expertise and knowledge in the area chosen for the dissertation. These courses may vary from student to student depending upon individual needs or objectives. Course selection should be influenced by the following criteria: Increase in understanding of the phenomenon of interest. Increase in understanding of specific methodologies or analytical techniques relevant to the student's dissertation. Exposure to experiences relevant to the phenomenon of interest or methodological elements relevant to the student's dissertation. The UCF College of Nursing strongly encourages all PhD students to actively seek out interdisciplinary supporting courses including those offered by other disciplines. In addition to supporting courses, students will select two elective courses (6 credits) to broaden their knowledge in a general topical area. All elective and supporting courses must be approved by the student's faculty adviser or dissertation committee chairperson.

Dissertation Research

• Earn at least 15 credits from the following types of courses: NGR 7980 - Dissertation Research The dissertation research addresses the design and conduct of research that advances nursing science. Students conduct the dissertation in areas of faculty interest and expertise. Students are required to complete at least 15 credit hours of dissertation and are required to register for 3 credit hours of dissertation each semester until they complete the degree requirements.

Doctoral Research

• The course NGR 7919 Doctoral Research is designed for students to gain research experience with a faculty researcher. Students must obtain permission from the faculty member before registering for this course and complete the College of Nursing doctoral research form. The purpose of this course is for students to have an experience with research in addition to that of the dissertation.

Admission to Candidacy and Examinations

• The process for candidacy will start with the appointment of the dissertation advisory committee. The Candidacy Examination has both written and oral components. When these are completed successfully, the student becomes a doctoral candidate and is eligible to enroll in dissertation credits. When candidacy status is obtained, the student must enroll in at least three-semester credits of dissertation credit each semester until successful oral defense of the dissertation is made and all graduation requirements are completed. The university requires a minimum of 15 dissertation credits. Post-candidacy status is subject to the rules and regulations of the University of Central Florida Graduate Catalog. Students are required to complete the following prior to scheduling their candidacy examination: Submittal of an approved program of study (should be finalized by the student's third semester). Completion of all coursework, except for dissertation hours. The dissertation advisory committee is formed, consisting of approved graduate faculty and graduate faculty scholars. Following successful completion of the candidacy examination, the student may enroll in dissertation hours. Evidence that items have been completed must be received by the Graduate College on the Friday before the first day of classes for those who wish to enroll in dissertation hours in that semester.

Grand Total Credits: 72

Application requirements, financial information.

Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see the College of Graduate Studies Funding website, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.

Fellowship Information

Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students. They are paid to students through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on instructions provided by the College of Graduate Studies. Fellowships are given to support a student's graduate study and do not have a work obligation. For more information, see UCF Graduate Fellowships, which includes descriptions of university fellowships and what you should do to be considered for a fellowship.

Students in the Nursing BSN to PhD program must complete all course work with GPA of 3.0 ("B") or better, a satisfactory dissertation and defense of dissertation.

Full-time students in the Nursing PhD program pay a $90 equipment fee each semester that they are enrolled. Part-time students pay $45 each semester.

The dissertation satisfies the independent learning experience.

Florida State University

FSU | Distance@FSU

Distance@FSU

Nursing, phd.

The nursing doctoral program is designed to prepare you for a career as a nurse scientist. The research-intensive program aims to develop the next generation of nurse scientists in research, practice, and education settings. In this career, you can conduct research, contribute to disciplinary and interdisciplinary knowledge in nursing and healthcare, and disseminate research findings through scholarly publications and presentations. The program provides you with access to cutting-edge facilities and opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration with noted FSU researchers. College of Nursing faculty are world-renowned experts in evidence-based research practices and the distribution of scholarly works. As part of the program, you’ll visit the Tallahassee campus for summer intensive sessions that include extensive class work, presentations, and occasions for faculty and student contact.

Program Website

University Accreditation:  Florida State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, masters, educational specialist, and doctoral degrees. Florida State University also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels.

Questions about the accreditation of Florida State University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website ( www.sacscoc.org ).

OFFICE OF DIGITAL LEARNING Florida State University Suite C-3500 University Center 296 Champions Way P.O. Box 3062550 Tallahassee, Florida 32306-2550

MAIN: 850-644-4635

ODL TECHNICAL SUPPORT  (CANVAS): 850-644-8004

ASSESSMENT & TESTING: 850-644-3017

MORE LINKS: State Authorization & Licensure Complaint Resolution Accessibility

WEBSITE ADMINISTRATOR: [email protected]

BSN to PhD in Nursing Program

A Faster, Affordable Path to a Research Career

Post-BSN Nursing PhD

Online courses. hands-on research with experts..

UCF’s innovative BSN to PhD in Nursing degree track allows nurses to go straight from a bachelor’s degree to a nurse scientist doctorate without a master’s degree. This means fewer classes, lower cost and a faster time to degree. As a result, you get to spend more time in a research career to positively impact nursing and patient care.

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program in nursing is designed to prepare nurse scientists for a variety of roles. These include faculty member in a research-focused university, leader for nursing research in a healthcare system, or an executive leader with a research focus.

The doctoral program in nursing prepares scholars to possess a body of knowledge about theory, processes and methods of inquiry in the discipline of nursing. The program allows students to contribute to disciplinary and interdisciplinary knowledge in nursing and healthcare from the basis of sound conceptual, methodological, and ethical decision-making.

In addition, students will receive focused support in grant writing for programs, such as the National Research Service Award (NRSA).

Exclusive PhD Funding Opportunities

In addition to UCF graduate fellowship opportunities for full-time students, there is exclusive funding available for students planning to obtain a nursing faculty position after graduation and help address the nationwide shortage of doctorally prepared nursing faculty.

• UCF Graduate Fellowships  – More than $2M in fellowship funding awarded annually
• Nurse Faculty Loan Program  – Federal loan forgiveness program for nursing PhD students
• Nurse Faculty  PIPELINE Funding  – $150K awarded annually to cover tuition and fees

* If interested in university Fellowships , apply by December 1.

To apply to this program, you will need to meet the following:

• You fulfill the general UCF graduate admissions requirements ( see Admissions section of the UCF Graduate Catalog ).
• You are a licensed RN in Florida.
• You have a BSN degree from a regionally accredited institution or equivalent.
• Your research interests match faculty expertise .

Please note:  Online programs may not meet immigration requirements for students holding an F1 or J1 Visa to maintain status. If you have questions, please contact UCF Global at  global.ucf.edu   or call 407-823-2337.

The UCF Nursing BSN to PhD curriculum is delivered online with two multiple-day onsite intensives per year.

The program requires a minimum of 72-credit hours beyond a bachelor’s degree in nursing. This includes:

• 42 credit hours of required courses that focus on foundational knowledge development, and research methods and experiences;
• 15 dissertation credit hours; and
• 15 credit hours of supporting courses and electives that develop student expertise in the area chosen for their dissertation. PhD students are encouraged to seek out interdisciplinary supporting courses.

While coursework is conducted completely online, students are expected to participate extensively in research with faculty on campus or through immersion in a project with a nurse scientist approved by the student’s advisor.

View Sample Plans of Study

Yes, you may pursue the Nursing PhD program at UCF from any location, both within or outside of Florida.

Note the Nurse Licensure Compact does not apply to PhD programs.

Visit our Doctoral Admissions page for details on the application process and requirements.

Please note: The College of Nursing accepts the most qualified students based on evaluations of the applicant’s abilities, past performance, recommendations and match of UCF research areas with applicant’s career goals.

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From oncology nurse to researcher, PhD student researches cancer patient care

• May 28, 2024

Awards & Accolades , Research , Student Success

Cancer patients across the globe endure severe side effects from treatments that can drastically affect their quality of life. Kailei Yan, a third-year PhD student at the USF Health College of Nursing, is trailblazing research on the role of self-efficacy in mediating the relationship between symptoms and quality of life in cancer patients.

Yan was inspired to pursue research after Dr. Theresa Beckie, a researcher and faculty member at the college, presented in one of Yan’s undergraduate courses.

“That was the moment I became motivated to become a scientist,” says Yan. “And now, Dr. Beckie is my advisor!”

After earning her BSN from the college, Yan worked as an oncology nurse at the Moffitt Cancer Center. Watching patients endure the side effects of cancer and its treatment influenced her decision to pursue cancer research.

“I saw a lot of suffering,” says Yan. “I feel there should be some ways to relieve that. That’s my motivation.”

Yan says she is grateful for all the support she has received as a PhD student at the college. She was recently selected for the Southern Nursing Research Society Dissertation Research Award. With the continued support of the college and this grant, Yan will be able to delve deeper into her research and further contribute to the field of study.

The application for the USF Health College of Nursing’s PhD program opens on August 15.

Learn more about our PhD program

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• Student Success

About Department News

USF Health College of Nursing News highlights the great work of our trailblazing faculty, staff, and students! The College of Nursing is an integral part of USF Health and the University of South Florida. USF Health College of Nursing -- Where Nursing Trailblazers Belong!  

New dean of University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies named

Hudson santos is an internationally renowned nurse investigator and educator who studies the impact of the social determinants of health on mothers and their children and has significantly increased the school’s research footprint..

Researcher and educator Hudson Santos has been named dean of the School of Nursing and Health Studies at the University of Miami.

Newswise — Amid a setting of sutures and stethoscopes, bandages and blood pressure cuffs, medical successes and sometimes setbacks, Hudson Santos found his calling at the tender age of 9: nursing. 

His mother, unable at times to arrange childcare for her young son, would sometimes bring him along to the hospital in northeastern Brazil where she cared for patients on her rounds as a licensed practical nurse. “Her professionalism was imprinted on me at a very early stage of my life,” Santos recalled. “She inspired me, and nursing became our shared passion.” 

So he followed in his mother’s footsteps, becoming a nurse and caring for marginalized groups at clinics in Brazil and in the United States before conducting nursing-related education and research as an internationally renowned academician. 

Now, Santos, vice dean for research at the  University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies , has earned what he says is “the greatest honor of my professional career.” He has been named the next dean of the University’s School of Nursing and Health Studies. 

“In Dean Santos, we have a proven leader whose prolific portfolio is matched only by his passion for guiding colleagues and students to excellence in research,” said University President Julio Frenk. “His is precisely the type of vision our School of Nursing and Health Studies needs to continue its ascent to the top echelon of nursing programs nationally.”

Santos joined the University of Miami faculty two years ago as a tenured professor and the inaugural Dolores J. Chambreau Endowed Chair in Nursing. He was formerly the Beerstecher-Blackwell Distinguished Term Scholar and a tenured associate professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Nursing, where he led the Biobehavioral Laboratory and was the founder and director of the Health Resilience and Omics Science Hub for identifying genetic risk factors affecting the neurodevelopment of children. He was also the Director of Training and Mentorship Division for the Institute for Environmental Health Solutions at the Gillings School of Global Public Health. 

Over the past 15 years, he has conducted extensive research on families, studying how early life stressors affect perinatal health and child developmental outcomes in high-risk populations as well as across socioeconomic status levels and racially and ethnically diverse communities. 

For Santos, it is an area of investigation that began when he was a nurse working in a clinical setting in northeastern Brazil and noticed that mothers with psychological issues and their developmentally delayed children were being treated at separate outpatient facilities. “I saw children who were struggling developmentally, and I wanted to know what was affecting their mothers. But the health care system was fragmented; they were being seen separately and at different locations,” he recalled. 

And that sparked his desire to learn more about maternal-child health and to raise awareness that the health of children begins before they are even born. 

Santos also has examined how environmental factors such as climate change can influence the health outcomes of mothers and their children. “Heat can negatively affect health, especially the health of families who lack basic necessities and are facing other adversities. So, we want to understand that and be able to use that information for prevention,” he said. “The whole idea is to foster a healthier family ecosystem early on instead of having to treat families for serious conditions later in life.” 

Santos is spearheading an ambitious $23.57 million National Institutes of Health (NIH) study examining how social and economic inequities as well as other stressors experienced by parents can biologically and psychologically impact their children. As part of that seven-year grant, the largest ever awarded to the Coral Gables Campus, the School of Nursing and Health Studies joins the NIH’s Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program and will enroll a racially and ethnically diverse group of some 1,250 pregnant mothers from Miami-Dade County, following their offspring from birth to age 7. 

Miami-ECHO is recruiting participants through UHealth—the University of Miami Health System, and Jackson Heath System, and will join several other cohorts across the nation to create a group of over 50,000 children and their parents. “While the big picture is to understand how early environmental factors impact child health and development, we’ll also be able to answer questions that are specific to Miami,” Santos said.  

Through his leadership, the School of Nursing and Health Studies has risen dramatically in national rankings—from 24th to 16th in NIH funding—nearly doubling its research footprint from $3,396,294 in FY 2022 to $6,061,945 in FY 2023. 

And over the course of his career, he has authored more than 110 scientific publications, securing upwards of $47 million in research funding as a principal investigator or co-investigator. 

“Dean Santos is an internationally known nurse leader and scientist who has transformed research at the School of Nursing and Health Studies in his short two years at the school,” said Guillermo “Willy” Prado, interim executive vice president and provost. “I am confident that his leadership and his vision for the school’s academic programs and research will elevate the school as a premier destination for both nursing students and faculty across the country.” 

Beyond his significant research portfolio, Santos has also demonstrated effective leadership, serving as acting director of the Ph.D. in Nursing Science program and interim associate dean of the Graduate School, Frenk and Prado pointed out in their message on Santos’ appointment to the University community emailed on Wednesday. 

Santos is passionate about diversity and inclusion, a philosophy deeply rooted in his own background as a Latino male nurse, a first-generation college student, and an immigrant to the United States. Born into poverty in Brazil, he and his siblings were confronted with severe adversity. “Survival was an achievement for us and thriving seemed beyond reach,” he said. “Yet, I discovered the transformative power of education in lifting individuals out of poverty.” 

As dean he will lead a nursing school that is home to the five-story Simulation Hospital Advancing Research and Education (S.H.A.R.E.) with on-site virtual and extended-reality simulation opportunities in a variety of clinical, research, and educational settings. 

Among his goals are to enhance the relationship of the nursing school with UHealth and Jackson Health System, expand the school’s strong national and international presence, and amplify its visibility by promoting innovative education, research and scholarship, he said. 

Santos currently serves as president of the International Society of Nurses in Genetics and is also a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, where serves as chair-elect of the Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science National Advisory Council. 

He begins his deanship on June 1, succeeding Cindy Munro, who last year announced she was stepping down as dean at the end of the academic year after leading the school for nearly seven years.

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Bsn-to-phd in nursing.

The post-baccalaureate BSN-to-PhD in Nursing program at FIU Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Sciences is a comprehensive, advanced education tracks that builds on the foundational knowledge and skills you acquired during your baccalaureate nursing education. The 2 Tracks offered are MSN-Nurse Practitioner and PhD in Nursing or the Master’s in Nursing Education and the PhD in Nursing degree.

The curriculum includes master’s level courses to prepare students for advanced practice roles and provides the foundation for students to engage in a program of intellectual inquiry at the doctoral level.

The program can be completed in 4½ to 5 years of full time study.

Program Requirements

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

Family Nurse Practitioner

Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Nurse Educator

• Three to nine (3‐9) hours of credit for Candidacy;
• 18 hours of Dissertation credits.
• Complete curriculum components as outlined by the individual plan of study and the Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing and Health Sciences. Please see here for more: https://cnhs.fiu.edu/_assets/docs/resources/nursing‐phd‐handbook‐may2019.pdf
• 36-39 credit hours toward the MSN degree ( see Plan of Study )
• Minimum three (3) credit hours of Candidacy Examination (3-9 credits)
• Minimum 18 credit hours of Dissertation
• Core Knowledge (12 credits)
• Research Methods and Design (9 credits)
• Statistics (6 credits)
• Grantsmanship (6 credits)
• Cognate Electives by advisement (6 credits)
• Students with a cumulative GPA of less than 3.0 will be placed on academic probation for one (1) semester and are subject to dismissal if the 3.0 GPA requirement is not met upon completion of the probationary period.
• Removal of all conditions, deficiencies and incomplete grades. Students are expected to register for courses with letter grades. Credit hours for courses in which the grade is “B-” or below will not count toward satisfying graduate degree requirements.
• Stage I – Qualifying Examination (written)
• Stage II – Proposal Defense
• Stage III – Dissertation Defense
• Complete a dissertation five (5) years from the date of advancement to candidacy (i.e., successful completion of written and oral examinations, favorable recommendation of the supervisory/guidance committee, and an approved dissertation proposal).

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Online FNP Programs for Florida Residents

CLASSES START Jul 8th

Waived Enrollment Fee

Advance your practice to Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) in Florida

Ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best online graduate nursing programs in 2024

Current RNs in Florida : make your impact with patients across the lifespan as a family nurse practitioner

Students in Florida are eligible to enroll in our Master of Science in Nursing or Post Master’s Certificate programs in the FNP specialty. Our programs are designed to fit smoothly into your working life as a nurse, with flexible online study to help you achieve the ideal work/school/life balance.

Becoming an FNP represents an opportunity to advance your knowledge and skills, earn more autonomy, and expand your ability to impact the lives of your patients . You can make it possible with Herzing University.

Career-focused curriculum

Discover the crucial knowledge and skills required to succeed in your work and build a foundation for continued career growth.

Flexible schedule

We work hard to help you maintain school-life balance, striving to be as flexible as possible for busy non-traditional students.

Virtual services

Access to extensive virtual services, including academic advising, tutoring, support services, technical support and library services.

Lifelong support

We support your ongoing career advancement by providing comprehensive, personalized student services with lifelong career coaching.

Rolling admissions

No application deadlines to worry about. Apply when you’re ready and prepare to get started soon.

Classes Start July 8th

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Find your educational pathway to FNP

No matter where you are in your nursing career, Herzing University offers students unique online educational pathways for you to advance towards becoming a family nurse practitioner.

• Program length : 20 months
• Classes : View the curriculum
• Credential earned : Master of Science in Nursing in Family Nurse Practitioner

• Program length : 24 months

• Program length : 16-20 months
• Credential earned : Post Master’s Certificate in Family Nurse Practitioner

Recognition

Ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the best online graduate nursing degree programs in 2024.

✝ The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Herzing University Madison is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education ( http://www.ccneaccreditation.org ). Herzing University is approved to offer programs in an online learning modality through association with the main campus in Madison, Wisconsin.

Herzing University is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

View all Herzing University Accreditations and Approvals .

Accreditation & Recognition

Our accredited & recognized online school

We strive to earn rank as one of the top private, nonprofit universities in the United States. Just as you work every day to become the best version of yourself, so do we as a university .

We are proud to have attained institutional and programmatic accreditation in addition to industry recognition for our accomplishments helping students earn a college education and find career success.

Clinical pledge

Your clinical placement is our pledge.

We understand securing clinical placement as part of an FNP program in Florida is one of the biggest concerns students face. At Herzing, we offer guidance and support through our step-by-step Clinical Guidance Process to ensure you can get the clinical practice experiences you need.

As a Herzing student, we’ll encourage you to find your own preceptor and clinical sites as there are many benefits to doing so. However, we provide extensive support should you find difficulty along the way. With Herzing, you are never on your own.

Because of our strong relationships with healthcare providers across the U.S. and our comprehensive Clinical Guidance Process, we are confident in our ability to help you find clinical placement. So much so that if you are unable to find a clinical site on your own, we pledge to step in and help you secure clinical placement.*

* Subject to terms and conditions outlined in the enrollment documents.

Career outlook

RN career info

Average salary.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , nurse practitioners in the state of Florida earn an average annual salary of $119,710 per year ($57.55 per hour).*

Employment outlook

Projections Central projects employment of nurse practitioners in the state of Florida to increase 70.8% from 2020-2030, translating to an additional 9,540 jobs.**

Become an indispensable caregiver as a nurse practitioner in the state of Florida

U.S. News and World Report identifies nurse practitioner as the #1 best health care job in 2024 – as well as the #1 best overall job across all categories – due primarily to high marks in potential salary and future growth.

You may also appreciate the potential improvement in work-life balance going from RN to FNP. Working hours for RNs can be highly variable, while FNPs tend to work a more conventional M-F schedule over normal 9-5 business hours.

Now is an excellent time to begin working towards becoming a family nurse practitioner in Florida. Your first step is earning the FNP education you need to succeed from the start and build a foundation to continue advancing in the future .

Related Programs

MSN Direct Entry - Florida

WHNP Program - Florida

Online ASN/BSN - Florida

Disclosures.

* Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics 2023 / Occupational Outlook Handbook 2022. BLS estimates do not represent entry-level wages and/or salaries. Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geography market in which you want to work and degree field, will affect career outcomes and earnings. Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the average salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, salary increase or other career growth.

** Projections Central, Long-Term Projections (2020-2030). Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geography market in which you want to work, and degree field will affect career outcomes. Herzing does not guarantee that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, or other career growth.

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Professional identity in nursing: Why it is important in graduate education

Affiliations.

• 1 Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, 525 N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States of America. Electronic address: [email protected].
• 2 Salve Regina University, 100 Ochre Point Ave., Newport, RI 02840, United States of America. Electronic address: [email protected].
• 3 University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, College of Nursing, 13120 E. 19th Ave.|Education 2 North|Office 4211, Aurora, CO 80045, United States of America. Electronic address: [email protected].
• 4 Pittsburg State University, Irene Ransom Bradley School of Nursing, United States of America. Electronic address: [email protected].
• 5 Drexel University, College of Nursing and Health Professions, Division of Nursing, Graduate Nursing Programs, 60 N.36th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States of America. Electronic address: [email protected].
• 6 University of Iowa, College of Nursing, CNB 32850 Newton Rd., Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1121, United States of America. Electronic address: [email protected].
• 7 University of Utah College of Nursing, 10 South 2000 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, United States of America. Electronic address: [email protected].
• PMID: 38777525
• DOI: 10.1016/j.profnurs.2024.03.004

Possessing a clear identity in nursing is a guiding principle to professional comportment. In graduate nursing education, transitioning and expanding one's professional identity requires role evolution. Nurses transitioning into the advanced professional nursing role shifts their thinking to a new level. The Conceptual Model of Professional Identity in Nursing constitutes how values and ethics, knowledge, nurse as a leader, and professional comportment are intertwined. Competency-based education requires curricular redesign. The Essentials Tool Kit aligns The Essentials with learning activities to support competency-based curriculum and assessment. The Douglass and Stager Toolkit intertwines these resources for graduate nursing educators to inform professional identity in nursing for curriculum revisions. This article aims to illustrate how faculty educate graduate nursing students in the development of professional identity using a conceptual framework to achieve competencies outlined in The Essentials (AACN, 2021).

Keywords: Advanced nursing roles; Competency-based education; Graduate nursing education; Professional identity.

Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

• Competency-Based Education
• Curriculum*
• Education, Nursing, Graduate*
• Nurse's Role
• Social Identification
• Students, Nursing / psychology

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