Educating a New Generation of Nurse Scientists

Newswise — With faculty and scientists in short supply in nursing schools across the nation, the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing and the Rita and Alex Hillman Foundation have partnered for an innovative program to launch more nurse scholars faster.

With the average age of nurses graduating with a PhD now hovering near 45 years old, this program seeks to collapse the time from entering nursing school to earning a doctorate to about seven years.

Known as the Hillman Scholars Program in Nursing Innovation, this program “will prepare young scholars as premier researchers and integrate them into a broad community of researchers at Penn Nursing, throughout the University, and in the world,” said Terry Richmond, PhD, CRNP, who directs the program at Penn Nursing. “The goal is for these students to become innovative nurse leaders who will have a significant impact on nursing, healthcare, and the health of society.”

The first students began the program this fall. The scholars are academically talented traditional and second degree BSN students planning careers as nurse leaders and researchers, and who can commit to a seamless BSN-to-PhD pathway without the traditional breaks for clinical practice.

The program’s diverse and demanding educational experience incorporates interdisciplinary education with research career development and guidance starting at the undergraduate level. Students work closely with faculty mentors and collaborate with established research teams in Penn Nursing’s research centers.

“Close mentorship and integration with active research teams is essential, particularly while our scholars are completing their undergraduate degree work,” said Dr. Richmond. “This is a cornerstone of the program. Our scholars will be immersed in relevant research, meet regularly with their mentors, and participate in research colloquia, meetings, and research activities as guided by their mentors.”

Penn graduates of the Hillman Scholars Program in Nursing Innovation are expected to integrate nursing knowledge within broad social, economic, and political contexts to influence scientific research and healthcare policy and practice, said Dr. Richmond.

The University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing is one of the premier research institutions in nursing, producing new knowledge in geriatrics, pediatrics, oncology, quality-of-life choices, and other areas. Penn Nursing researchers consistently receive more research funding from the National Institutes of Health than any other private nursing school, and many master’s programs are ranked first in the country. This year, faculty, students, alumni, and staff celebrate 125 years of nursing at Penn.

The Rita and Alex Hillman Foundation is a New York-based philanthropy dedicated to improving the lives of patients and their families through nurse-led innovation.