Robin Chard, Ph.D., RN, CNOR, has been named coordinator of the doctoral program in Wilkes University’s Passan School of Nursing. The online program, launching in the fall 2017 semester, is the University’s first program leading to the doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) degree.
Prior to joining Wilkes, Chard was a professor of nursing at Nova Southeastern University, where she has held positions as adjunct or full-time nursing faculty since 2008. Her academic experience includes teaching in the classroom and online in both undergraduate and graduate nursing programs.
Deborah Zbegner, dean of the Passan School of Nursing, said Chard’s experience will benefit students entering the doctoral program.
“Dr. Chard’s experience as a nursing educator, combined with her clinical and research experience in the field, makes her the ideal person to lead the nursing Ph.D. program in the Passan School of Nursing,” Zbegner said. “The breadth of her knowledge will greatly enhance and complement the program.”
Chard’s primary clinical experience is in operating room nursing and she holds certification in the specialty. Chard’s research interests are in the areas of patient safety, communication, and perioperative nursing errors. She has published more than 30 journal articles and book chapters on these topics, as well as delivering presentations and workshops at professional conferences.
Chard holds a doctorate in nursing from Duquesne University, the Master of Science in Nursing degree from Barry University School of Nursing and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Florida International University.
About the Wilkes University Ph.D. in nursing
Wilkes University’s Ph.D. program in nursing is fully online—except for one on-site, three-day weekend seminar at the start of the program—and can be completed in as little as three years. Students in the program will learn how to synthesize empirical and theoretical literature from nursing and other disciplines regarding nursing education and clinical practice, as well as design a comprehensive nursing research study, critically evaluate research findings, and contribute to the field of nursing science through the dissemination of research findings. Course sequences are arranged to allow the most motivated nurses to choose a pathway that can take them seamlessly from the post master’s level of entry with options available for D.N.P to the Ph.D. – or Ph.D. to the D.N.P.
To apply to the program at the post master’s level, nurses must have a master’s level nursing degree or the appropriate doctoral degree and a grade-point average of 3.0 or higher from the master’s or doctoral level degree granting institution and a nursing license. Transcripts and letters of recommendation also are required. For detailed information about applying to the Ph.D. program in Wilkes University’s Passan School of nursing visit www.wilkes.edu/phd-in-nursing
