NP Week 2025: Thank you to all our nurse practitioners!

Nov. 9-15 is National Nurse Practitioner Week, and the Michigan State University College of Nursing is proud to honor our faculty, students and alumni who are providing care to our communities.

With adult gerontology primary care, family and psychiatric mental health tracks in its NP program, the college is committed to ensuring our neighbors have access to the care they need through the education of future generations of providers.

“I am proud of all our Nurse Practitioner students, faculty and alumni who tirelessly work to improve the health of our communities through their advanced training,” said Dean Leigh Small. “Recent research shows we will have a shortfall of 33,800 NPs in the country through 2032, which makes it all the more imperative to support this important and highly skilled group of advanced practice nurses.”

As part of NP Week, we encourage you to read some of our recent stories on our amazing faculty, students and alumni:

Spartan Nurse Nation: Bethany Ashworth
Bethany is living her dream at Boston Children’s Hospital as an NP.

Educating others on the importance of inclusive care

Justin Hooks is not just a provider, but an advocate for those in need, especially in the LGBTQIA+ community.

Checking back in with Marcella and Miracle:

Faculty member — and NP — Rhonda Conner-Warren has been leading a small group of tenacious BSN students in working with little Miracle and her family to help ensure the toddler is getting the healthy food she needs to battle her diabetes.

Critiquing the depiction of nurses in pop culture:

Ever watch a show and wonder if that’s really what healthcare is like? Our clinical faculty also wondered and agreed to share their thoughts.

DNP graduate has big plans for Big Ten:

Ryan Gennette, DNP ’23, felt called to become a nurse after witnessing a family member battle cancer. The compassion he witnessed from nurses caring for his grandmother opened a career path he had not previously considered.

Published Nov. 10, 2025