Black PhD Nurse Scientists
We need more Black nurse scientists.
Of the four million professionals in the field of nursing, fewer than 10% are Black. In higher education, less than 1% of nurse scientists are Black. We plan to change that.
Of the four million professionals in the field of nursing, fewer than 10% are Black. In higher education, less than 1% of nurse scientists are Black. In response to this shortage, four Black PhD Nurse Scientists- Drs. Schenita Davis Randolph, Kamila Alexander, Dawn Aycock, and Fawn Cothran – launched Black PhD Nurse Scientists (formerly named the Black Nurse Scientists Mentoring Program).
As Fellows in the Betty Irene Moore Fellowship for Nurse Leaders and Innovators, the four Nurse Scientists realized that they shared a key commonality that was significant to their success- they all attended a Historically Black College and University (HBCU). With a one-year grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, the four nurse scientists developed BPNS with input from Nurse leaders, Black PhD-prepared Nurses, Administrators and those aspiring to obtain a PhD in nursing or a related field. As a result of this formative data, BPNS was formed with three key components: HBCU tours, writing and wellness retreats, and social networking and support.
PhD Program Diversity
Types of Graduates, 2010-2022
Generic Baccalaureate Programs:
264,835 (60.96%)
Master’s Programs
146,658 (33.76%)
DNP Programs:
20,715 (%4.77)
Research Focused Doctoral Programs:
2,222 (0.51%)
Our Vision
To eliminate health inequities through leadership, scientific innovations, strategic networking, and mentorship of Black Nurse Scientists.
More Black Nurse Scientists
Our goal is to increase the number of Black Nurse Scientists in the workforce.
Support for Success
To support the success of Black Nurse Scientists in their career trajectories.
Our Mission
To inspire, guide, and support future and present Black Nurse Scientists by increasing visibility and awareness of the Nurse Scientist role, supporting and elevating Nurse Scientists, and amplifying our scholarly impact.
Our Core Values
- Leadership
- Equity
- Authenticity
- Excellence
- Respect
- Innovation
- Collaboration
- Wellness
- Justice
HBCU Tours
The role of historically Black colleges and universities in training the next generation of Black nurse scientists in undeniable. We partner with HBCUs to bring awareness to the role of a PhD prepared Nurse Scientists as a career option. Of the 33 schools of nursing at HBCUs, currently only three have PhD programs. We aim to advocate for more graduate programs at HBCUs.
Social Networking and Support
One of the major themes we heard from current and future PhD prepared Nurse Scientists was the need to have support with those who can understand their journey. We aim to provide platforms for networking and building a critical mass where Nurse Scientists can provide peer mentoring and support to one another with one common goal of eliminating inequities in health care delivery and systems.
Annual Writing and Wellness Retreat
The Black PhD Nurse Scientist Writing & Wellness Retreat is designed to provide a supportive and immersive environment where current and future nurse scientists can focus on their writing, engage in self-care, and connect with like-minded scholars.
Meet the Founders
Black PhD Nurse Scientists is a collaboration between four nurse scientists and HBCU alumnae, Drs. Kamila Alexander, Dawn Aycock, Fawn Cothran, and Schenita Davis Randolph. Their alma maters include North Carolina A&T State University, Howard University, and Prairie View A&M University.
Kamila A. Alexander, PhD, RN
Johns Hopkins School of Nursing
Dawn M. Aycock, PhD, RN,
Georgia State School of Nursing
Fawn A. Cothran, PhD, RN
Indpedent Nurse Scientists
Schenita D. Randolph, PhD, RN
Duke School of Nursing
BPNS has received funding from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation through the Betty Irene Moore Fellowship for Nurse Leaders and Innovators to support formative data to inform the program’s development.
Are you a future Black Nurse Scientist?
Get in touch to learn more about the program.