Creating a Pathway for Nurse Scientists

Three nurse scientists have distinct areas of scholarship but one key goal

A photo of three Duke nursing faculty members
Associate professors Michael Cary, Tolu Oyesanya and Schenita Randolph of the Duke School of Nursing

This is a summary of a story that originally appeared on the Duke School of Nursing website.

The first three Black nurse scientists to earn tenure at the Duke School of Nursing have distinct areas of scholarship but one key goal in common.

Associate professors Michael Cary, Tolu Oyesanya and Schenita Randolph are each committed to advancing health equity in their field – in particular through the mentoring of the next generation of nurses.

Nursing Ph.D. programs have seen an enrollment decrease in the last 10-15 years, and data suggests that trend will continue. With many seasoned faculty aging out in coming years, the recruitment and retention of a new generation is key. And that new generation must reflect the populations they serve, Randolph says.

“Patients benefit when they see clinicians and scientists who look like them, and communities are better served when those designing research and interventions understand their contexts,” she says.

All three faculty members have important mentoring experience. Randoph is co-founder of Black Ph.D. Nurse Scientists, which supports current and future Ph.D.  nurse scientists. Oyesanya has developed multiple mentoring initiatives, including the inaugural organization-wide mentoring program for the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine Career Development Networking Group, matching 92 mentoring pairs since 2022. And Cary has led the AcademyHealth Interdisciplinary Research Group on Nursing Issues Emerging Diversity Leaders, as well as the Network for Black Male Nurse Leaders.

“Over time, I’ve learned that mentorship isn’t only about guidance,” Cary says. “It’s also about sponsorship — opening doors, creating access to networks, and helping people step into opportunities that accelerate their professional growth.”

Dr. Randolph agrees, saying mentoring work “is about capacity building, not just inspiration. [...] My goal is to make the nurse scientist pathway visible, tangible, and attainable, particularly for students who may not otherwise know this career option exists.”

Read more on the Duke School of Nursing website.