Doctoral nursing student Brianna Babineau chosen for national program supporting the next generation of nursing faculty and leaders
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Jonas Nursing, a leading supporter of doctoral nursing education in the U.S., and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) announced that Brianna Babineau, a BS-to-PhD student at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, has been selected as a Jonas Scholar for the program's 2026-2028 cohort. The program aims to improve health care by expanding the pool of PhD- and DNP-prepared nurses needed to educate the next generation of nurse leaders.
Babineau joins a select group of 80 doctoral nursing students from across the country chosen for their commitment to teaching, academic excellence, and research abilities. As a Jonas Scholar, she will receive financial support, mentorship, and specialized professional development designed to prepare doctoral nursing students for successful careers as nursing faculty.
"Being accepted as a Jonas Scholar is an incredible honor. I decided to pursue my doctoral degree in nursing education with the goal of conducting research that would support future generations of nurses. Being a Jonas Scholar will provide me with national resources and opportunities to make that goal a reality," said Babineau.
Babineau began her nursing career in pediatric acute care before transitioning to pediatric critical care. She currently works at Fitchburg State University, where she is beginning her lifelong career in nursing education. She also continues to practice clinical inpatient care in the ICU at Boston Children's Hospital. As a nurse educator, Babineau aims to create an inclusive, positive learning environment that fosters professional growth and confidence. As a nurse researcher, she aims to develop a deeper understanding of the lived experience of early-career new graduate nurses. Understanding how this transition into practice affects a new graduate nurse's mental well-being and intent to stay at the bedside can help promote longevity and improve quality of life.
"Brianna's selection as a Jonas Scholar reflects both her tremendous promise as a nurse scholar and UMass Dartmouth's commitment to preparing the next generation of nursing educators and leaders," said Kimberly A. Christopher, PhD, RN, Dean of the UMass Dartmouth College of Nursing and Health Sciences. "We are grateful to Jonas Nursing for investing in Brianna's development and supporting work that will strengthen the nursing profession and help address critical health care needs in our communities."
Through the two-year program, Babineau will participate in a faculty development curriculum, receive guidance from a faculty advisor, and attend the 2027 Jonas Scholar Conference in Washington, D.C. Her research and practice focus is psychiatric and mental health nursing, an area represented among the pressing health challenges being addressed by members of the 2026-2028 Jonas Scholars cohort.