University of Arizona College of Nursing

“AI has the potential to revolutionize teaching, research and problem-solving by enhancing education, advancing research capabilities and improving patient care outcomes,” said Brian Ahn, PhD, dean of the University of Arizona College of Nursing. “Embracing AI responsibly and ethically can lead to significant advancements in nursing practice and health care as a whole.”

Ahn is uniquely positioned to understand this impact. In addition to his extensive nursing research, he has a Bachelor of Engineering degree in electrical engineering from the University of Seoul College of Engineering and a Master of Science degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Florida College of Engineering. Ahn currently leads an NIH R01 study that integrates brain AI digital technology into pain and symptom management in older adults.

READ MORE: https://bit.ly/4dINpuH

Elise Erickson, PhD, CNM, an assistant professor at the U of A College of Nursing, will serve three years as chair for the Division of Research at the American College of Nurse-Midwives.

“Dr. Erickson’s work to improve maternal health will be amplified in this role,” said Brian Ahn, PhD, dean of the College of Nursing. “Her experience both academically and in the community caring for maternity patients will benefit everyone.”

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Erickson named research chair at nurse-midwife association Erickson named research chair at nurse-midwife association

Indigenous students pursuing nursing careers at the University of Arizona College of Nursing will benefit from additional financial support thanks to a $1.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Indian Health Service.

“This additional funding from the Indian Health Service is a vote of confidence in our program and, more importantly, our Native American students,” said Brian Ahn, PhD, dean of the College of Nursing. “The INCATS program has a successful record of increasing the number of Indigenous nurses in Arizona, and we look forward to expanding that impact over the next five years.”

READ MORE: https://bit.ly/3AInox4

"It was a great pleasure to welcome our new students to the University of Arizona’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Integrated Health, Doctor of Nursing Practice, and Master of Science in Nursing programs this morning. As Arizona's flagship university, we play a vital role in developing a highly skilled nursing workforce. In FY24, we expanded our student enrollment to 2,386, including 1,050 in the pre-nursing program, 493 in the bachelor’s program, 315 in the master’s program, 455 in the DNP program, 50 in the PhD program, and 23 in certificate programs. We are committed to sustaining this growth, with plans to increase nursing student enrollment by at least 10% annually. Our dedication to educational excellence is evident, with our doctoral program ranked #19 nationally ( #10 among public institutions) by U.S. News & World Report. As a leading nursing research institution, we are currently ranked #19 nationally ( #13 among public institutions) for NIH research funding. Our mission is to prepare the next generation of compassionate and highly skilled nurses, positively impact healthcare outcomes, and enhance the well-being of individuals, families, and communities. I am thrilled to have these new students with us and look forward to witnessing their growth and achievements in the future." – Dr. Ahn, PhD, APRN, ANP-BC, FAAN, Dean and Professor, University of Arizona College of Nursing.

We are thrilled to announce that Lisa Grisham, MSN, NNP, has been awarded the 2024 Margaret Comerford Freda March of Dimes Graduate Nursing Scholarship! This honor recognizes Lisa's dedication to improving care for infants with NAS/NOWS.

“We are extremely proud and excited for Lisa to receive this award,” said Brian Ahn, PhD, dean of the College of Nursing. “The college, just like the March of Dimes, is committed to ensuring that the health equity gap closes, and this award signifies the quality of the work our students undertake.”

“Lisa’s expertise working with infants with NAS/NOWS and their mothers with substance use disorders is rare and revolutionary,” said her advisor, Sheila M. Gephart, PhD, RN, FAAN, professor and interim chair of the Advanced Nursing Practice and Science Division at the College of Nursing.

Learn More: https://bit.ly/3yytpMg

Join us in congratulating Rina Fox, PhD, MPH, for being selected for the prestigious National Institutes of Health Summer Institute for Randomized Trials of Behavioral Interventions! Out of 160 applicants, Fox is one of only 30 fellows chosen for this competitive program.

“Dr. Fox is truly an ideal candidate for the NIH Summer Institute for Randomized Trials of Behavioral Interventions, and I am confident she will leverage the opportunities provided by this prestigious program to accelerate the development of her research and career,” said Brian Ahn, PhD, professor and dean of the College of Nursing, in his letter of recommendation. “I give my strongest recommendation that she be selected for this training.”

"Dr. Fox continues to expand her expertise in research, and this summer institute will strengthen her expertise in randomized trials of behavioral interventions for cancer survivors and their caregivers," said Terry Badger, PhD, RN, professor, interim associate dean for research, and Fox’s mentor.

We are incredibly proud of Fox's accomplishments and look forward to the advancements her research will bring to the field of health behavior interventions.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/3YDgCCy

Nursing’s Fox selected for NIH randomized trials institute Rina Fox, PhD, MPH, an assistant professor at the University of Arizona College of Nursing, has been selected for the National Institutes of Health Summer Institute for Randomized Trials of Behavioral Interventions. Fox is one of 30 fellows selected from about 160 applicants for the highly competiti...

We are proud to announce that Jessica Rainbow, PhD, RN, associate professor at the University of Arizona College of Nursing, has received the prestigious Mentoring Future Scholars Award as part of the 2024 University of Arizona Distinguished Faculty Awards!

The award recognizes early career faculty “whose dedication to graduate students through mentorship has been transformative.”
Learn more: https://bit.ly/4cfGyaI

Rainbow receives U of A Distinguished Faculty Award Congrats to Jessica Rainbow, PhD, RN, on receiving the Mentoring Future Scholars Award as part of the 2024 UArizona Distinguished Faculty Awards! Her dedication to mentoring has empowered future scholars.

We are thrilled that Jonas Philanthropies has selected three of our PhD students - Stefanie Boyles, Jacquelyn “Jackie” Martin and Stephanie Lapsley, as three of 63 leaders from around the country for the Scholars Program. The University of Arizona College of Nursing students will receive grant funding, awarded to the College through the Jonas Philanthropies, worth $36,000. The College will match the grant funds as the students pursue their doctoral degrees.

These Scholars will come together to learn from national leaders, build a network of forward-thinking peers, and apply grounded and innovative strategies to become successful nursing faculty members. We look forward to cheering them on!

Learn More: https://www.nursing.arizona.edu/news/three-wildcat-nursing-doctoral-students-named-jonas-scholars

We are excited to announce that Chen X. Chen, PhD, RN, MBBS, FAAN, will join us as the Sorensen Endowed Professor, focusing on improving the health, well-being, and health care of individuals, families, and communities. Chen begins her role on August 5.

Chen comes to us from the Indiana University School of Nursing, where she serves as an associate professor. With a dedicated career studying dysmenorrhea, commonly known as menstrual pain, she highlights that this condition affects more than half of females of reproductive age and can increase the risk for other chronic pain conditions.

“We are thrilled to have Dr. Chen join the faculty of the College of Nursing,” said Brian Ahn, PhD, the College’s dean. “Her research directly impacts so many women who have often suffered in silence. Her ability to inspire students to follow how dysmenorrhea can have long-lasting and widespread impact on patient health means our graduates will be better prepared to advance a healthier Arizona.”

Read more about Chen and her move to Tucson. https://www.nursing.arizona.edu/news/chen-x-chen-phd-rn-joins-nursing-sorensen-endowed-professor

We are thrilled to announce that the University of Arizona College of Nursing has been ranked as the best nursing school in the state by RNCareers.org.

According to the site, our exceptional NCLEX pass rates, diverse degree offerings and successful alumni employment status were key factors in this prestigious recognition. This ranking highlights the quality of research and education we provide every day at the College.

Thank you to our incredible faculty, staff and students for making this achievement possible. Let's continue our journey of excellence in nursing education.

2024 Guide To The Best Nursing Schools: RN, NP, RN To BSN, ABSN. 2024 Guide to the Best Nursing Schools for Registered Nursing (RN), RN to BSN, Nurse Practitioners (NPs), ABSN, MSN, DNP. Get nursing careers, salary, and licensing reports.

We are proud to announce that Kara Wantling, a junior in the University of Arizona College of Nursing Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, has been awarded the highly competitive 2024 Sanford Health Nursing Scholarship.

Kara’s journey is truly inspiring. After the loss of her father, she was deeply moved by the compassionate care from nurses, which fueled her determination to pursue a career in nursing. The scholarship committee commended her remarkable strength and her commitment to self-financing her education.
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Kara Wantling receives Sanford Health Nursing Scholarship “Receiving the Sanford Health Nursing Scholarship is an honor,” said Wantling. “I am beyond grateful for the generosity and support as I persevere through this exciting chapter of my life. I have had a passion to become a nurse for a while, and this scholarship serves as a reminder to continue...

This summer, we had the pleasure of hosting eight nursing students from CHA University in South Korea, for a 5-day adventure of learning and exploration. They received hands-on experience with our simulation labs, toured Banner University Medical Center, Tucson Medical Center, El Rio Health and Sandstone Nursing Home, and connected with our incredible faculty. From using high-tech equipment to shadowing ICU teams, they truly immersed themselves in the U.S. healthcare system and learned of its diversity.
“I am proud that our partnership with CHA University College of Nursing strengthens Arizona Nursing as a global leader in nursing research and education,” said dean of the University of Arizona College of Nursing, Brian Ahn, PhD. “This collaboration enhances our global visibility and aligns with our mission to cultivate nurse leaders and advance nursing research worldwide.”
The students expressed heartfelt gratitude for the warm welcome and the chance to broaden their horizons.

Link in our bio to learn more:

South Korean nursing students spend week learning in Tucson Eight students from CHA University in South Korea, along with their professor, spent the last week of June learning about the intricacies of nursing in the United States as guests of Brian Ahn, PhD, dean of the University of Arizona College of Nursing.

Experience the future of nursing education at the University of Arizona College of Nursing in Gilbert. Our simulation center offers an immersive 360-degree virtual reality setup tailored for student learning.
The driving force behind the nurse education innovation is Janine Hinton, PhD Janine Hinton, PhD, an associate clinical professor and director of the Steele Innovative Learning Center, she oversees the simulation-based education for the college in Gilbert and Tucson.

Discover how we’re preparing the next generation of nurses for the workforce. Learn more:

Gilbert simulation center gets student nurses ready for real world Using simulation, augmented and extended reality, the center designed strictly for nursing students builds confidence as graduates enter the workforce. By Kathy Kudravi, UArizona Health Sciences Office of Communications

Elevate your nursing career with a Doctor of Nursing Practice Executive Health Systems Leadership degree from the University of Arizona College of Nursing.

In as little as 2.5 years, you can obtain a doctorate that prepares you for leadership roles such as Chief Nursing Officer, Associate Chief Nursing Officer or Clinical Nursing Director. The hybrid program will give you the skills to generate and disseminate nursing practice knowledge to stimulate research and improve clinical outcomes, engage in and lead collaborative practice teams, improve health outcomes through scientifically based advanced practice within a specialty, and influence clinical practice transformation and policy initiatives.

Achieve the highest level of clinical nursing expertise and take your career in exciting new directions! Learn more: https://bit.ly/3zJ5GJu

Executive Health Systems Leadership (EHSL) DNP Specialty The Executive Health Systems Leadership (EHSL) DNP specialty prepares nurses to be management leaders in the healthcare industry. Students learn advanced competencies essential to leadership roles: Chief Nursing Officer (CNO), Associate Chief Nursing Officer (ACNO), Clinical Nursing Director, Direct...

We are proud to announce that the U.S. Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing at Baylor University has named an award in honor of James “Jim” R. Reed, DNP, CRNA, an associate clinical professor in the University of Arizona College of Nursing’s DNP-Nurse Anesthesia Program.

“Jim Reed is the perfect person to name this award for,” said Brian Ahn, PhD, dean of the College of Nursing. “His dedication to country, service, the college and his students exemplifies not only the award but also the mission of educating students. We are extremely proud of him and his work.”
More: https://bit.ly/3W373LJ

Request for 3rd Party Comment:

The University of Arizona College of Nursing (UACON) Nurse-Midwifery Specialty in the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program is scheduled for an accreditation site visit by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME) Board of Review on August 14-16, 2024.

Program constituents, stakeholders, and other interested parties are invited to submit third-party comments relevant to the program's qualifications for accreditation (published May 2019, Rev 2020).

Comments should be made in writing using either the ACME 3rd party comment form, submitted by email to [email protected], or mailed to:
Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME)
Attn: Angela Smith
2000 Duke Street, Suite 300
Alexandria, Virginia 22314

Congratulations to Jessica Rainbow, PhD, RN, assistant professor for the University of Arizona College of Nursing on being named 2024-25 Udall Center Fellow.

Rainbow was named fellow with Leslie Farland, ScD, associate professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health to study the safety of work environments for potential childbearing female nurses and how job settings impact their postpartum return to work.

More: https://bit.ly/4e6VUQX

We're thrilled to announce that Rina Fox, PhD, MPH, an assistant professor at the University of Arizona College of Nursing, has been honored with the Early-Stage Investigator Award for Outstanding Contributions to Cancer Prevention and Control by the Cancer Special Interest Group of the Society of Behavioral Medicine!
More: https://bit.ly/3RjQCaX

We are proud to announce that, Sarah J. Locke, DNP, assistant clinical professor at the University of Arizona College of Nursing, has been accepted into the prestigious American Association of Nurse Practitioners Executive Leadership Program's 2024 cohort! Join us in congratulating her on this achievement! More: https://bit.ly/44TzA9k

We are proud to announce that three faculty members from the University of Arizona College of Nursing will be honored during the upcoming 2024 Nurses Week gala hosted by the Tucson Nurses Week Foundation.

Join us in celebrating the achievements of Maria Kenneally, DNP, and Sarah J. Locke, DNP, both assistant clinical professors within our college, who have been selected as Fabulous 50 nurses. Additionally, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to Melissa Goldsmith, PhD, an associate clinical professor who will receive the prestigious Most Inspirational Mentor Award.

These outstanding individuals were chosen by their peers for their dedication to the nursing profession, serving as role models and mentors, and demonstrating unwavering commitment to humanity. More: https://bit.ly/4aMODTH

At this year's Western Institute of Nursing Conference, our College of Nursing shone brightly, with 24 students presenting their outstanding work. Ruth Taylor-Piliae, PhD, RN, and Timian Godfrey, DNP, APRN, were honored with induction into the Western Academy of Nurses, celebrating their excellence in nursing. Deidre Chase, a PhD student, also received the prestigious Ann M. Voda Conference Award. Congratulations to all for their dedication and contributions to advancing nursing science and practice! More: https://bit.ly/4dSRBZi

We are proud to celebrate the University of Arizona College of Nursing’s Spring 2024 graduating class! A total of 135 graduates celebrated their achievements at Centennial Hall on May 9. The event honored 50 Bachelor of Science in Nursing conventional pathway graduates, 61 Bachelor of Science in Nursing Integrative Health Pathway graduates, 22 Doctor of Nursing Practice graduates, and two Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing graduates. Congratulations, Wildcat Nurses! More: https://bit.ly/3KdLEZA

Meet Brayton Amidon, a University of Arizona College of Nursing doctoral candidate. For his dissertation, he researched and analyzed state-level data to compare outcomes and evaluate a proposed federal policy that would mandate nurse-to-patient staffing ratios. Hailing from Corpus Christi, Brayton's academic journey is marked by resilience and determination. Join us in celebrating Brayton's achievements as he prepares for his hooding ceremony on May 9th! More: https://bit.ly/3UzjCMS

Join us in celebrating Clarissa Padilla, a future nurse from the University of Arizona College of Nursing – Integrative Health program in Gilbert.
Learn how Clarissa found a supportive community and a second home in Gilbert, where she spent countless hours studying, socializing, and honing her skills in the simulation lab. The BSN-IH program not only prepared her for a nursing career but also fostered an environment where she could thrive personally and professionally.
Learn more: https://bit.ly/3UzjCMS

We're proud to share that the University of Arizona College of Nursing has nearly doubled its pre-licensure student enrollment in just four years! This impressive growth is a response to the critical nursing shortage in our state and nation. Learn how we're preparing the next-generation of nurses to make an impact.
Learn more: https://bit.ly/44m1cn5

We're proud to share that the University of Arizona College of Nursing has made major leaps in the U.S. News & World Report’s latest rankings for Best Graduate Schools! Our Doctor of Nursing Practice program rose to No. 10 among public universities and No. 19 overall, while our Master of Science – Entry to the Profession of Nursing program surged 11 spots to No. 30 overall and No. 19 among public universities! Join us in celebrating this incredible achievement made possible by our faculty, staff and students’ dedication to excellence in nursing education! More: https://bit.ly/3xwM7mm

The Doctor of Nursing Practice program offers a hybrid format blending online learning, on-campus intensives and clinical placements. Led by expert clinicians and researchers, the program prepares graduates to excel as nursing professionals, leaders and valuable members of faculty teams. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3TIFFAc

The Master of Science – Entry to the Profession of Nursing program can be completed in just 15 months, providing students a fast-track to a career in nursing. At locations in Gilbert and Tucson, Arizona, students gain the skills to provide, coordinate and manage health care for patients as registered nurses. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3J7BZTM

Meet Dr. Aleeca Bell, Associate Professor at the University of Arizona College of Nursing, whose personal journey into midwifery is shaping the future of maternal and infant well-being. From her transformative childbirth experience to leading groundbreaking research on mother-baby synchrony and the epigenetic influences of childbirth, Dr. Bell is not just a pioneer but a beacon of hope and inspiration. Her upcoming induction as a Fellow at the American College of Nurse-Midwives marks a significant milestone in her career and midwifery in the U.S. Discover more about her passionate journey and profound impact on healthcare:

https://www.nursing.arizona.edu/news/aleeca-bell-phd-rn-cnm-pioneering-midwifery-and-research-maternal-and-infant-well-being

Does health care pique your interest? Don't wait, learn more today.

The University of Arizona College of Nursing is ready to help prepare you to make an impact in health care whether you want to become a nurse or make an impact with research. We want to make your dreams come true.

To find more information, click here: https://bit.ly/uaznursingacademics

UA College of Nursing’s Assistant Professor Rina S Fox, PhD, MPH was awarded the Early Stage Investigator Award for Outstanding Contributions to Cancer Prevention and Control by the Cancer Special Interest Group of the Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM). SBM is a nonprofit organization comprising researchers, clinicians, educators, industry professionals, and policymakers from over 20 healthcare disciplines. With a focus on behavioral, psychosocial, environmental, and biomedical factors, SBM members conduct research on various conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, obesity, diabetes, chronic pain, and cancer.

Read more about Dr. Rina S Fox’s work here: https://www.nursing.arizona.edu/rsfox

Pursue your passion!

Today is the last day to apply to our accelerated Summer 2024 Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Integrative Health program.

Apply here: https://bit.ly/uaznursingBSNIHsummer2024