Feature Stories 2025: Kayla Alvares '19, MSN '22, PhD '25: A decade at UMassD

A lot can happen over the course of a decade, and nursing alumna Kayla Alvares ‘19, MSN ‘22, PhD ‘25 is proof of just how much can be accomplished. After ten years as a Corsair, Alvares has earned her bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD, all while working at South Shore Hospital. Now she’s ready to share her knowledge and pass on her skills through her roles as nurse, professor, researcher, and preceptor.

Why study nursing at UMassD?

Alvares grew up in a healthcare setting, often visiting Boston Children’s Hospital as a child. She recalls the comforting environment and wanting to be a part of such a welcoming community. She decided to study nursing, and as an Attleboro native with family in Fall River, she knew that UMassD was the place to go.

“I heard great things about the nursing program, so it was easy to put my faith into it,” she said.

From BSN to MSN to PhD

Alvares began her decade-long journey in 2015 when she arrived as a first-year nursing student. Then, after earning her BS in nursing, she decided to join the BS-PhD nursing program with some encouragement from Professor Kristen Sethares.

Alvares had always planned on getting her master’s, but Sethares motivated her to take the leap into the PhD program. “I mentioned wanting to become a clinical instructor, and Dr. Sethares encouraged me to join the program. If it weren't for her, I wouldn't have gone for it.”

CNHS faculty support

Support from faculty, including Sethares’ encouragement, is what motivated Alvares to spend a decade working and studying at UMassD.

“I felt so comfortable and had so many great experiences with my professors, and I knew that the PhD program was going to be rewarding. I felt very ingrained in the community,” Alvares said.

“Having that rapport with professors is great because I can reach out to them on a personal level. They’ve followed me and watched me as I’ve grown. Some of my professors had me as a BSN student, then again as a PhD student. And now, I work as an adjunct professor, so they’re my peers! It’s nice because they’re always thinking of me and extending opportunities to me.”

Experience in research

Alvares’ professional and personal connections with her professors helped her enter the field of research.

"Right now, Professor Jean Horowitz and I are developing an app to help Black and African American moms with postpartum depression. Its goal is to help with their treatments while supporting mother/baby interactions. So, not only are we treating their psychological needs, but we’re also making sure that they’re bonding with their infant,” said Alvares.

“Conducting that research helped with my own PhD work. It led me to realize how important infant interactions are. For my dissertation, I worked with families in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). I studied how parents bond with their babies, how nurses bond with the babies, and how parents and the nurses bond together.”

“Researching and understanding relationships and trauma-informed care is important. Sometimes admissions can seem like nothing to the care team because it’s our daily job. But to the family, it’s the most traumatic thing in their lives. It’s important to teach nurses to be cognizant of what families are going through, to sit down with them and say ‘I’m here with you.’”

Pushing through to PhD

Earning a doctorate is no small feat, and Alvares accomplished it as a first-generation student. “I’m most proud of how I’ve pushed myself. I’m a first-gen college student, so not only was going to college a big deal, but I didn’t stop. I went to more college, then more college. I didn’t let my family’s barriers become my barriers."

"My advice for students is to not limit yourself. When I looked at the requirements to get a PhD, I thought that I could never meet them. But students are so much more than their GPA. I wasn’t an Honors student, I didn’t get straight A’s, but I did it. And you can do it, too.”

Making a difference in the nursing field

“The best part of practicing and teaching nursing is having an impact on families. One time, during my nursing practicum, I watched an organ donation in the intensive care unit (ICU). The mother of the patient was hugging and thanking me, even though I was a student and had barely touched the patient. Just being present in the room can make a big impact, and that feeling is incredible.”

“During my 10 years at UMassD, I’ve gained so much knowledge and so many skills. I’ve learned a lot about professionalism and mentorship. I’ll do preceptorships when I can, and I’m glad students can learn from me and feel comfortable knowing that I was in their shoes 3 years ago,” Alvares said.

“I can’t get enough of UMassD. Whenever I have an opportunity to teach, I take it. It's great to be able to give back.” 

"I can't get enough of UMassD!"