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NPD Forecast Podcast: Ohio State University's DNE NPD Track
February 21, 2025 — Tara Spalla King, PhD, RN
Tara O'Brien, PhD, RN, CNE
Nursing professional development practitioners hold a wide range of degrees at the doctoral level, from EdD to PhD to DNP, but until now, none have specialized in NPD. The Ohio State University’s new Doctor of Nursing Education program now offers an NPD track, the first of its kind in the U.S.
In today’s episode of the NPD Forecast Podcast, learn the details of how this program was developed and what it can offer NPD practitioners. Tara Spalla King, PhD, RN, and Tara O’Brien, PhD, RN, CNE, directors of the program, talk with podcast hosts Dr. Stephanie Zidek and Dr. Naomi Fox about:
- The creation of the DNE program to address gaps in existing doctoral programs and prepare nurse educators for both academic and clinical settings.
- The structure of the DNE program, including its two tracks: Academic Nurse Educator and Nursing Professional Development.
- Examples of student projects that demonstrate the practical application of the DNE program in various healthcare settings.
- Advice for prospective students on the flexibility and benefits of the DNE program, including online delivery and part-time/full-time options.
Listen to the episode in this article or through your favorite podcast app.
Tara Spalla King, PhD, RN
Director, Doctor of Nursing Education Program, OSU College of Nursing
Dr. Tara Spalla King has experience in acute care nursing practice and nursing education. Dr. King is an experienced onsite evaluator for the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, a team leader, and an accreditation review committee member. She is a peer reviewer and member of the editorial board for the Journal of Nursing Education, a national publication, and is a peer reviewer for Nurse Education in Practice, a publication based in the U.K.
Dr. King’s prior research activity focused on utilizing web conferencing technology to connect disparate groups of college students and their faculty. Currently, she mentors faculty in global education projects utilizing collaborative online international learning (COIL). Dr. King was the principal investigator for a national needs assessment for terminal degrees for nurse educators and led curriculum development for a novel terminal degree, Doctor of Nursing Education (DNE). She is currently the director of the DNE program.
Tara O'Brien, PhD, RN, CNE
Assistant Director, Doctor of Nursing Education Program, OSU College of Nursing
Dr. Tara O’Brien is a nurse educator and researcher dedicated to enhancing patient care and transforming nursing education. She has over 30 years of experience in nursing. Her journey began in rural healthcare settings, where she witnessed the profound impact of social determinants of health on patients' lives. This fueled her lifelong commitment to advancing equitable healthcare and education.
Dr. O’Brien serves as an assistant professor of clinical practice and codirector of the Doctor of Nursing Education program at The Ohio State University College of Nursing. She empowers the next generation of nurses and educators by equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and compassion to succeed in today’s healthcare setting.
Her scholarly work focuses on self-management education for kidney transplant recipients and fostering innovation in teaching and learning within nursing education. As a dedicated mentor and advocate, Dr. O’Brien’s mission is to inspire and prepare future nurse leaders.