Nursing Research Transforms Healthcare

School of Nursing Faculty's publications and current research in the news.

Older adult studying while using a laptop

Preventing Dementia with Later-Life Learning

June 16, 2025

A study led by Associate Professor Hanzhang Xu yields promising results: continued learning later in life can reduce dementia risk for the entire population, regardless of race/ethnicity or prior education.

Dr. Schenita Randolph and Dr. Ragan Johnson

Randolph and Johnson in New England Journal

March 1, 2024

The New England Journal of Medicine has published a study by Duke University School of Nursing professors Dr. Schenita Randolph, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN and Dr. Ragan Johnson, DNP, MSN, APRN-BC in which the two studied the feasibility of integrating salon stylists, edutainment videos, and PrEP navigators to help educate Black women on the benefits of PrEP (preexposure prophylaxis) in preventing HIV infections. This innovative new approach to HIV/AIDS prevention can be found in the Journal’s February 29th issue.

Bonnie Hepler and Kristin Tully stand beside a poster for Trinity College Dublin's Centre for Maternity Care Research

Advancing Inpatient Sleep after Childbirth

August 27, 2025

Duke Nursing faculty Bonnie Hepler and her colleagues emphasize the need for better postpartum sleep, starting in the hospital, for the wellbeing of caregivers and their infants.

Tracey Yap

Preventing Nursing Home Pressure Ulcers

February 12, 2024

In 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 1.3 million people were living in nursing homes, and that number is expected to double by 2050. The CDC also reports that one in 10 nursing home residents will develop pressure injuries, or bedsores, a medical condition where skin and tissue breaks down because of prolonged pressure from sitting or lying long periods of time, introducing the risk of serious infection and even death.

Brandon Knettel, PhD

Opioid Use and Mental Health in HIV Care

November 29, 2024

Examining the challenges and benefits of integrating opioid use disorder and mental health treatment within HIV care, Duke researcher emphasizes the need for additional resources and training to improve patient outcomes.

Associate Clinical Professor Blanca Iris Padilla

Inequities in Hispanic/Latino Diabetes Care

December 18, 2024

Hispanic and Latino patients with diabetes face higher rates of complications and readmission after moving from hospital care back home.

Rosa Gonzalez-Guarda

Professor Participates in a NASEM Study

January 26, 2024

Duke University School of Nursing Associate Professor Rosa Gonzalez-Guarda, Ph.D., MPH, RN, FAAN was recently a part of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) Consensus Study on Essential Services for Intimate Partner Violence during Public Health Emergencies.

Karin Reuter-Rice

Professor Concussion Research Recognized

February 1, 2024

Karin Reuter-Rice, PhD, CPNP-AC, FCCM, FAAN, is working to improve diagnosis and treatment of children with traumatic brain injuries.

AnnMarie Walton

AnnMarie Walton Co-Edits Book

April 2, 2024

Duke School of Nursing faculty, AnnMarie Walton, PhD, MPH, RN, OCN©, CHES, FAAN has co-edited the recently launched fourth edition of Safe Handling of Hazardous Drugs with MiKaela M. Olsen, D.N.P., APRN-CNS, AOCNS©, FAAN of Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Schenita Randolph

Focus on Health Inequities in Black Community

January 22, 2024

Schenita Randolph, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN, is an associate professor at DUSON and the founding director and principal investigator of the HEEAT Lab, which addresses health disparities. 

Mariam Kayle

Health Surveillance to Improve Outcomes

January 3, 2024

Duke University School of Nursing (DUSON) Assistant Professor Mariam Kayle, Ph.D., RN, CCNS, FAAN, and her team have been working to implement the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funded North Carolina Sickle Cell Data Collection Program (NC SCDC, https://sites.duke.edu/ncscdc/ ).

A nurse goes over a form with a patient

Gap Study On Patient Experiences

July 9, 2024

Dr. Amie Koch explores a unique challenge facing LGBTQ+ patients in healthcare settings – whether to disclosure their sexual identity.

Associate Professor Hanzhang Xu

Cognitive Health for Aging Chinese Americans

September 11, 2024

The study aims to improve cognitive health in aging Chinese Americans by developing a culturally relevant mobile health app and collaborating with local communities.

Associate Professor Mitch Knisely

Chronic pain study for underserved

August 21, 2024

The GAIN Study explores the use of community acupuncture to address chronic pain in rural and medically underserved areas, aiming to provide a cost-effective and sustainable options for non-pharmacological treatment.

Button batteries and a watch

Button Batteries Pose Risk to Kids

August 6, 2024

A review of studies on the pediatric risks around button batteries finds both cause for concern and tips to reduce the chance of an emergency.

Associate Professor Hanzhang Xu

Xu Awarded Bass Connections Projects

January 12, 2024

School of Nursing Assistant Professor Hanzhang Xu, Ph.D., RN, was recently awarded two Bass Connection Projects by the Global Health Theme of Bass Connections for her proposed 2024-25 Bass Connections projects, “Empowering Family Caregiving Research in the Philippines,” and “Long-Term Care in China and Worldwide.”

X-Ray images of a brain

School Faculty Support Brain Injury Awareness

March 25, 2024

The Duke School of Nursing (DUSON) works tirelessly to research and study brain-related issues, achieve healthcare breakthroughs, and highlight brain-related injuries. This was especially significant in March during Brain Injury (BI) Awareness.

Duke Nursing Students working in Pamlico County

Working Across Duke to Support Rural Health

August 27, 2025

Dr. Devon Noonan shares the approach and priorities of Duke’s Interdisciplinary Hub for Rural Health Equity.

Sickle Cell MMWR

Multi-State Study on Sickle Cell Disease

March 29, 2024

The Multi-State Study shows that almost two-thirds of babies born with sickle cell disease live in disadvantaged areas.

Rosa Gonzalez-Guarda and Jay Pearson

Erosion of the Latino Health Advantage

October 8, 2024

Dr. Rosa Gonzalez-Guarda and Dr. Jay Pearson examined the decline in health outcomes among the Latino population in the US post-COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the need for systemic policy changes.

Stephanie Ibemere

Professor works to combat Sickle Cell Disease

January 4, 2024

Stephanie Ibemere, Ph.D., RN, Duke School of Nursing (DUSON) assistant professor, is working to combat sickle cell barriers globally through research, dissemination, and education.

A nurse attaches a sensor to the foot of an infant in the NICU

The Harmful Impact of Racial Bias in the NICU

October 23, 2024

Desi Newberry, DNP, NNP-BC and colleagues are researching how racialized labels are harmful to health outcomes.

Sickle Cell Disease

Fight Continues Against Sickle Cell Disease

June 18, 2024

June 19 is World Sickle Cell Day. A number of Duke faculty continue to publish important research in the effort to mitigate the effects of the disease.

Four nursing faculty pose together in the school's atrium

Nursing Pilot Projects Address Rural Health

September 23, 2025

The Center for Nursing Science and Innovation at Duke University School of Nursing has granted funding for three faculty-led pilot projects that will support health equity in rural settings, from substance use care to surgery.

Professional headshots of Dr. Marissa Abram and Dr. Sophia Smith

Pilot Projects for Cancer Survivors and HIV

November 18, 2024

Dr. Marissa Abram and Dr. Sophia Smith earned pilot funding for studies aimed at improving health outcomes for young cancer survivors and people living with HIV who use illicit substances.