Category: Nursing

Evans Appiah Osei overcame major obstacles before thriving in the Purdue University School of Nursing. Studying by lantern light as a child, Osei is now a PhD student that led a session on “Palliative and End of Life Care for Gynecologic Malignancies” at the 2025 Ghanaian Diaspora Nursing Alliance and World Continuing Education Alliance conferences this summer. He spoke in front of about 500 nurse practitioners from all over Africa about his Purdue research experience working with cervical cancer patients toward the end of their lives.

Purdue University School of Nursing students place their hands into a large, beating human heart, immersing themselves into anatomy rather than simply studying it.

As part of the Envision Center’s CollabXR program, which offers a collaborative, multi-user virtual and augmented reality platform that expands the classroom using 3D visualizations, Nursing clinical associate professor Amy Nagle invited a group of first-year students to take a deeper dive into their anatomy and physiology education through this active learning opportunity.

As steel beams rise from the ground and the building’s structure takes shape, the Nursing and Pharmacy Education Building moves closer and closer to welcoming students through its doors for the spring 2027 semester. Currently scattered throughout buildings across campus, nursing and pharmacy students and faculty will find a home in the new four-story building located at the corner of Mitch Daniels Boulevard and Russell Street.

Marian Liu’s recent time in Taiwan planted the seeds of a Purdue College of Health and Human Sciences study abroad opportunity. The proposed summer program would allow students interested in health care to earn credits by taking summer classes at National Cheng Kung University in southern Taiwan as well as exploring Taipei in northern Taiwan, the capital with a population of about 2.5 million people.

Tesha Hardy’s passion for brightening people’s days — either through health care or a Powerpuff Girls ice cream bar from her family’s ice cream truck — has motivated her throughout her career.

From early spring through late fall, Jennifer Burchett, a 2012 Purdue University School of Nursing alumna and a nurse at IU Health Methodist Hospital, can be found near the track watching professional IndyCar drivers race at extremely high speeds. With these high speeds comes the potential for crashes and significant injuries and health risks, which is where Burchett and the rest of the IndyCar medical team spring into action.  

Cervical cancer is deadliest among lower-income countries and is the leading cause of cancer deaths in Kenya, according to 2024 data from the World Economic Forum. This is a public health issue six Purdue University students were ready to tackle at last month’s Emory Morningside Global Health Case Competition. 

From providing financial advice to engaging in impactful research and beyond, graduates of the Purdue University College of Health and Human Sciences are taking giant leaps in making lives better. Senior Amira Garwood and PhD student Yitong Wang are no exception as they each prepare to embark on their next big adventure after walking across the stage at the May 18 commencement ceremony. 

The connection Ashley Woltman feels with sick children or those who are cancer survivors stems from her own childhood. The Purdue Nursing senior was only 11 when she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a type of blood cancer that causes bone marrow to produce too many white blood cells known as lymphocytes.

Service-learning is deeply integrated across the Purdue University School of Nursing, extending beyond the classroom to engage students with the community. In many public health and other courses, students engage in clinical rotations at locations such as the Lafayette Transitional Housing Center’s LTHC Homeless Services, the Indiana Veterans’ Home, Tippecanoe Villa and local schools within Greater Lafayette. The experience and hands-on care the students provide serves as a crucial element for both character development and career preparation. 

Nancy Edwards, professor and head of the Purdue University School of Nursing, has always been interested in the ways people interact with animals and nature, having been surrounded by animals all her life. Combining her love of animals with her expertise in care for older adults and those with dementia, she has led countless studies as part of the College of Health and Human Sciences to investigate how animals and nature can influence older individuals’ health.  

The joint program between the School of Nursing and the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences encourages kids to interact with seniors in both programs during activities and presentations geared toward health education at the Nursing Center for Family Health in Lyles-Porter Hall. The main goals of the Curiosity Clinic are to give the Purdue students experience interacting with healthy children, something many internships do not provide because they often focus on adult patients or sick children, and to teach the College of Health and Human Sciences students how to adapt health education topics to the pediatric population — sometimes changing those messages on the fly as the kids ask questions.

With centuries of clinical, intensive care unit and emergency room experience between them, Purdue University School of Nursing faculty find the holidays to especially hectic times of the year in these facilities.The causes for increased patient loads are tenfold: Colder weather, flu season, festive alcohol related injuries, more traveling, holiday mental stress and primary care physicians on vacation are just some of the reasons for spikes in cases during the holidays.

Through extraordinary contributions that are advancing local and global health, American Academy of Nursing (AAN) Fellows are some of the most accomplished leaders in the nursing field.

Purdue University College of Health and Human Sciences faculty members Libby Richards and Vicki Simpson are the latest to join the elite group of School of Nursing faculty members to be inducted into the rigorous and competitive society. The two will be honored at the AAN’s 2024 Health Policy Conference Induction Ceremony and Soiree on Nov. 2 in Washington, D.C.

Breastfeeding is an influential factor on public health, providing dynamic nutrition and immune protection for infants and physiologic benefits for mothers. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization recommend infants be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of their lives, with breastfeeding continuing alongside complementary foods until 2 years of age or as long as the parent and child desire.

In a significant step toward promoting men’s health across Indiana, Governor Eric Holcomb signed a proclamation requested by Julian L. Gallegos, clinical associate professor in the Purdue University School of Nursing and principal advisor for the Central Indiana Chapter of the American Association of Men in Nursing, to declare June 2024 as Men’s Health Month in Indiana. The initiative underscores the critical need to address men’s health issues throughout their life span, recognizing the unique challenges men face in maintaining their health and well-being.

From health insurance to public health initiatives to nutrition regulations, health policy plays an important role in Americans’ lives every day. Marian Liu, associate professor in the Purdue University School of Nursing, has gotten firsthand experience in shaping policy through the 2023-24 Health and Aging Policy Fellows Program, which she began in fall 2023.

Purdue University College of Health and Human Sciences faculty and staff were asked to give their top tips for healthy bodies, minds and bank accounts. These new habits will ensure a good year and beyond.

Rainey Michael always knew she wanted to pursue her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree to make a difference in preventative care for vulnerable populations. With her plans to advance her leadership in patient care and shape health policy, Michael’s decision to attend Purdue University’s DNP program, which ranks among the top 10% in the country, was an easy one.

An interdisciplinary team comprised of Alice Wilcoxson, clinical associate professor in the Department of Health and Kinesiology; Jillian Hubertz, clinical assistant professor in the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences; and Janelle Tipton, clinical assistant professor in the School of Nursing is the 2023 recipient of the Patsy J. Mellott Teaching Innovation Award. Established by College of Health and Human Sciences (HHS) alumna Patsy Mellott, the award supports HHS faculty who demonstrate their excellence and leadership as teachers by proposing significant innovations to enhance the quality of HHS education programs.

Already a licensed nursing assistant, Itzel Santos recently completed a 10-week immersive internship at the famed Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. She was among nursing student interns from all over the world at the facility, which is considered one of the top hospitals in the nation.

Beeping medical equipment, ringing phones, rushing feet — the sounds of a hospital surround a Purdue University School of Nursing (NUR) student as they tend to their patient and are paged to care for another. The health care decisions are theirs alone to make as they look at the clock to manage their time. Forty minutes have passed. They remove the Oculus headset from their eyes and prepare to debrief their experiences with their faculty instructor.

Students in the School of Nursing navigate low frequency high-risk scenarios such as this in the Center for Nursing Education and Simulation (CNES) on a routine basis. Although the patient is a high-fidelity simulator mannequin and not a live human, for the nursing students, the stakes feel just as high.  

Faculty members from the Purdue University College of Education and the School of Nursing in the College of Health and Human Sciences have received a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) grant to help educate graduate nurses about opioid use disorder (OUD). The program will use a massive open online course (MOOC) platform to deliver the training.

Purdue University’s colleges of Health and Human Sciences (HHS) and Pharmacy are taking giant leaps in advancing collaborative, innovative learning for health care professionals in Indiana through a new facility at the corner of Mitch Daniels Boulevard and Russell Street.

In the rapidly evolving healthcare field, nurse practitioners (NPs) are indispensable in providing quality patient care across various settings. As advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), NPs possess the expertise to diagnose and treat illnesses, prescribe medications, and promote health and wellness. However, with the growing complexity of healthcare systems and the increasing demand for evidence-based practice, the importance of doctoral degrees for nurse practitioners cannot be overstated. This article will explore how obtaining a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) can accelerate NP careers, enhance patient safety, drive research in the advanced practice role and ensure the translation of research findings into practice.

Purdue University School of Nursing PhD student Evans Appiah Osei has seen firsthand the challenges women with cervical cancer face in his home country of Ghana, where palliative care and regular screening is uncommon.

Qinglan “Priscilla” Ding, assistant professor in the School of Nursing, is the 2023 recipient of the Barbara H. and Ben R. Edmondson HHS Faculty Development Award.

This analysis of drug theft in long-term health facilities is believed to be a first in the field.

Talking about death and dying can seem scary and full of unknowns, no matter the person’s stage in life. However, for patients with Parkinson’s disease, who have an unpredictable illness trajectory, the timing of these discussions can be critical to ensure the best possible end-of-life care.

Shannon McPeek and her many Operation Happy Nurse volunteers scattered across the country have led programs, such as Fitness for the Caregivers, in all 50 states and six Canadian provinces. She received interest from Australia and some European countries as well. This growth and dedication earned McPeek multiple awards: a 2022 L’Oreal Paris Women of Worth honor and an Early Career Achievement Award from Purdue’s College of Health and Human Sciences.

Purdue University College of Health and Human Sciences researchers Heather Eicher-Miller, associate professor in the Department of Nutrition Science, and Libby Richards, associate professor in the School of Nursing, published findings from cluster analyses on temporal nutrition intake as well as when and how hard to exercise in a 24-hour span.

Purdue University College of Health and Human Sciences researchers uncovered new details that add to the demographics of older adults most likely to fall.

I chose to come to Purdue because of the opportunities available for students within the College of Health and Human Sciences (HHS) and the university.

Collaboration across health professions happens multiple times a day in the healthcare field. Research has shown patient outcomes are better when these collaborations work well, whether they occur in a hospital, clinic or other setting. When these collaborations are weak or nonexistent, the consequences can be significant, both for the patient and the healthcare team.

Starting in fall 2023, Purdue Nursing will offer a new track to students with bachelor’s degrees to earn a PhD in four years, three if they already have a master’s degree. Times may vary depending on the student’s performance and workload.

By 2044, more than half of the United States population will be comprised of minority groups, according to projections by the U.S. Census Bureau. However, the demographics of the nursing profession continue to skew primarily white and female. This raises a need to diversify the healthcare field to improve health outcomes for minority populations and reduce health disparities.

Clinical Associate Professor Gallegos earned a place on the Indiana State Board of Nursing, making him the first Hispanic member of the board in its history, and he is the board’s first advanced practice nurse.

When Purdue University College of Health and Human Sciences (HHS) alumnae Helen (Huser) Nill and Maria (Swiezy) Krach graduated with their respective degrees in nursing in 1983 and nutrition and dietetics in 1985, they never anticipated connecting years later to start their own business with three other women in Fort Wayne, Indiana. They didn’t even realize they’d encountered each other previously at Purdue when Nill had been Krach’s sorority rush counselor in Alpha Phi until weeks after they had officially met at a Fort Wayne Medical Society Alliance gathering.

After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, HHS study abroad returned in May. Dozens of students took advantage of the opportunity to learn more about their program while immersing themselves in new cultures.

Jessica Mahecha, a 2020 Purdue University School of Nursing alumna, jumped into a pandemic and found a niche in travel nursing.

The prospect of graduate school can seem daunting for any undergraduate student, but for students from underrepresented backgrounds, the stakes can be even higher. To help these students gain momentum toward graduate school in STEM fields and get involved in research, the Purdue University Louis Strokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program supports a variety of research and professional development opportunities during the fall, spring and summer semesters. The program also offers funding to support students’ research activities.

Low-income families have been especially affected by the formula shortage. Purdue Health and Human Sciences faculty want mothers to know there is support, whether they are new or experienced moms.

As the Purdue University College of Health and Human Sciences welcomes Chris Coleman as the new head of the School of Nursing, Pam Karagory, clinical professor of nursing, will finish her four-year stint as head of the school. Loved by students, staff, faculty and alumni in the school and beyond, Karagory has left her mark during her leadership.

To further advance student learning in the Purdue University School of Nursing, Purdue alumni Mark and Maureen Miller recently gifted $14 million to endow the headship, contribute toward equipment for the planned Nursing and Pharmacy Education Building, create a new endowed scholarship for the accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, and add substantially to their existing scholarship endowments.

Purdue University’s College of Health and Human Sciences (HHS) is pleased to announce Christopher (Chris) L. Coleman will serve as the head of the School of Nursing and the inaugural associate dean for clinical education, effective July 1, 2022. Dr. Coleman will be preceded by Pam Karagory, who will remain on faculty in the School of Nursing.

Becky Good, clinical associate professor of nursing and director of the family nurse practitioner program, and Janelle Potetz, clinical assistant professor of nursing, are the 2021 recipients of the Patsy J. Mellott Teaching Innovation Award. Established by College of Health and Human Sciences (HHS) alumna Patsy Mellott, the award supports HHS faculty who demonstrate their excellence and leadership as teachers by proposing significant innovations to enhance the quality of HHS educational programs.

Dark and dreary days that are prominent throughout Indiana winters can leave anyone feeling a bit more sluggish than normal, but when it starts interfering with day-to-day activities, that lack of energy could be a sign of something more serious, such as seasonal affective disorder.

Qinglan Ding, assistant professor in the School of Nursing, has instructed cohorts of young Data Mine researchers, many of whom live together in Hillenbrand Hall and work together on projects that have a public health focus.

Brad Lincks’ interest in treating patients with mental illness while a Purdue University School of Nursing student in the early 1990s was somewhat ahead of the times.

Service learning can benefit the student’s character and career path.
Several programs in the Purdue University College of Health and Human Sciences urge their students to use what they learn in the classroom to benefit off-campus communities.

iversity College of Health and Human Sciences (HHS) alumna Mallori Walker knows she was born to be a pediatric nurse practitioner — a statement that has been echoed by her former professors in the School of Nursing. Now a pediatric nurse practitioner at IU Health Arnett; chair of IU Health’s system-wide diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) council; a lecturer in the Purdue School of Nursing; and a doctoral student at Rush University, Walker hopes to continue to lead the nursing profession to new heights.

Like Jamie Lee Curtis in the “Halloween” movies, Indiana residents should safeguard their trick-or-treating experience on Oct. 31.

Purdue University’s School of Nursing (NUR) started with a call to action and a drive to meet the challenge. In the 1950s, there was a dire need for nurses in Indiana, leading to a demand for more university nursing programs.

A new study reveals the stress, psychological trauma and, at times, system failures, that occurred in healthcare facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic as reported by the frontline critical-care nurses. themselves.

Purdue Nursing alumna Shannon McPeek (BS ’16) is the founder of Operation Happy Nurse, an online non-profit organization dedicated to helping nurses improve their mental health.

According to The Washington Post, deaths from drug overdoses climbed almost 30% nationwide in 2020 compared to 2019. Deaths from opioids — primarily from illegal fentanyl — increased by 37% in the same time period.

For Kendall Landorf (NUR ’21), the 12 hours she spent working as a Purdue University School of Nursing student in two Purdue-affiliated rural health clinics where among her most memorable.

Years before the coronavirus upended the nation, about 1 in 10 older Americans were victims of physical, emotional, sexual and financial abuses and/or neglect. According to an April 2020 survey, elder abuse in the United States rose sharply early in the COVID-19 pandemic.

As COVID-19 vaccination rates rise and case numbers fall, many Hoosiers are experiencing high levels of optimism — one full year after Indiana’s initial shutdown. However, that optimism must come with caution, according to Purdue University associate professor of nursing Libby Richards.

By 2030, Indiana alone will need 75,300 regis­tered nurses. Three siblings, all Boilermakers, are doing their part to answer the call.

When individuals think of nursing history, they typically envision nursing leaders such as Florence Nightingale, Clara Barton and Dorothea Dix. Reverence to these founding mothers of modern nursing is important; however, we must also not forget the contributions of our African American mothers of nursing who greatly influenced the profession.

Monon Family Health Clinic, in partnership with Purdue School of Nursing, is celebrating one year of serving this rural Indiana community in its new facility.

Here are some great tips for parents to make the transition from summer to the school year easy for them and their children.

Caroline Mullen Gerughty, a Purdue School of Nursing alumna, took small steps during her career that led to a giant leap to NASA Ames Research Center.

Purdue School of Nursing has 800 undergraduate nursing students. The school has responded to increased demand for nurses by doubling the number of graduates since last year.

Four students from the College of Health and Human Sciences are among the highest achieving students recognized during Spring 2019 commencement.

Pamela Karagory, associate professor in Purdue School of Nursing, wins Murphy Award for excellence in teaching

Purdue Nursing assistant professor Priscilla Ding, who has a clinical background focusing on gerontology – or the study and care of aging and older adults – provides several winter safety tips for older adults.