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, HEEAT Lab’s Founding Director and Principal Investigator, Dr. Schenita Randolph, partnered with fellow nurse scientists, Drs. Kamila Alexander, Dawn Aycock, and Fawn Cothran to launch the Black Nurse Scientists Mentoring Program.
With a one-year grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, the four nurse scientists will lay the groundwork for the program. They will gather data using focus groups and individual interviews with Black PhD-prepared nurses, HBCU schools of nursing administrators, and Black nurses contemplating nurse scientist careers.
The longer-term goal of Black PhD Nurse Scientists. is to mentor Black nurses looking to obtain a PhD, preparing them for successful admissions to PhD programs and productive career trajectories as nurse scientists. Ultimately, with better representation in the field of nursing, the program founders aim to address racial disparities and inequities in health research, services, and outcomes.
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 create a world where PhD-prepared Black nurse scientists are recognized as leaders and innovators in research, policy, and practice.
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…
Social Networking
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Annual Retreat
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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 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
National Alliance for Caregiving
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.