Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Doctoral Program in Nursing with a Concentration in Health Policy Fellowships

The role of nursing professionals in the area of health policy continues to grow, as they offer an informed perspective based on their direct delivery of health care to diverse populations. They are confronted daily with health disparities that impact Hispanic, Native American and other underrepresented populations as they seek care from a health care system that is increasingly complex and costly for all Americans.

Making health systems work better for patients requires more than clinical skill, yet few nurses have the education or background to teach, research or implement health policy initiatives. Recognizing the need to increase the number of nurses who are educated specifically to develop and influence health policy, the University of New Mexico College of Nursing has established the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Doctor of Philosophy with a concentration in Health Policy.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The UNM College of Nursing's RWJF Ph.D. in Nursing with a concentration in Health Policy aims to prepare nurses to become leaders in health policy at the local, state and national levels through their research and advocacy. It particularly targets those from underserved populations in the Southwest, including Hispanics and Native Americans. The program's philosophy is that effective health policy must reflect the experiences, needs and cultural context of the population groups the policy intends to serve.

The RWJF Ph.D. in Nursing works in partnership with the RobertWoodJohnsonFoundationCenter for Health Policy at the University of New Mexico (the Center). Students in the RWJF Nursing Ph.D. program participate in interdisciplinary activities with doctoral students from the social science disciplines at the Center.

Students who enter the program nursing will complete most of their coursework online with short summer session residencies on campus and attendance at the annual meeting of the Western Institute of Nursing each spring. They are expected to earn their doctorates in three years. In addition to the required coursework, students will participate in seminars and other informal learning experiences and undertake research in their areas of interest working with faculty associated with the program.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

The program offers generous financial support for fulltime study to three doctoral students each year. The support provided includes tuition, health insurance, living expenses, resources for computers, books, and travel.

ELIGIBILITY

In addition to the requirements set forth by UNM, the College of Nursing specifies the following requirements for its doctoral program: an M.S.N. from an accredited nursing program; a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (preference is given to students with a GPA of 3.5 or higher); a graduate-level statistics course completed within three years is desirable although not required; computer literacy skills in word processing, e-mail communications, and Web searching; an interview; evidence of scholarly ability such as a scholarly paper; a one-page statement reflecting experience in the nursing discipline; a letter of intent addressing professional and personal goals; a resume; three letters of recommendation ; a valid R.N. license; and the ability to meet the health requirements.

A detailed listing of eligibility requirements can be found on the CON website at http://hsc.unm.edu/consg/future/phd_admin.shtml

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Admissions are annually, with new classes beginning each summer term.

January 15 is the deadline for full consideration for admission and graduate assistantships. Applications will be accepted through March 15 and consideration will be contingent on available space.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Visit http://www.nursinghealthpolicy.org/ or write to us at CON-RWJF@salud.unm.edu for additional information on the program.

CONTACT US

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Doctor of Philosophy with a Concentration in Health Policy
Program Office

MSC 09 5350
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM87131-0001
CON - 356
505-272-4578

Meet the Scholars

Nancy López, PhD
Associate Professor - Sociology
Nancy López is associate professor and graduate advisor in the sociology department at the University of New Mexico Albuquerque.Her current work includes research on the achievement gap, discipline gap and indigenous education in New Mexico. Dr. López is a member of the Board of Directors of New Mexico Voices for Children and co-directs the Institute for the Study of “Race” and Social Justice, housed at the Robert Wood Johnson Center for Health Policy at UNM.
Marita Luz Campos-Melady
RWJF Center for Health Policy Fellow
Ms. Campos-Melady is a doctoral student in Psychology. She is a native of Santa Fe, New Mexico and received her BA from Williams College, Massachusetts, and MS from UNM. She is interested in how individuals and communities can interact to overcome substance abuse disorders, and is currently pursuing research concerning alcoholism and homeless women in NM.