College ranks #12 overall and #1 among Big Ten and Ohio colleges of nursing
New rankings measuring National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant funding among colleges of nursing nationwide show that The Ohio State University College of Nursing maintained its strong national standing and leadership in nursing research.
According to numbers released by the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research (BRIMR), the college ranks #12 overall (#8 among public institutions) and secured nearly $8 million in NIH grant support in 2024, more than $150,000 higher than its 2023 total. The College of Nursing also ranked first among colleges of nursing both in the state of Ohio and the Big Ten Conference.
BRIMR is an independent nonprofit organization that compiles research funding data for nursing colleges across the United States.
"Securing this level of NIH funding is a testament to the dedication of our faculty, nurse scientists, research partners and students, whose efforts demonstrate a deep commitment to developing solutions that improve health outcomes across the lifespan," said Karen Rose, PhD, RN, FGSA, FNAP, FAAN, dean and professor of the College of Nursing. "I am incredibly proud of their commitment to answering their calling to care and making an impact that benefits all people."
Researchers who received funding in 2024 are conducting studies that address a wide range of healthcare needs. Two examples include:
- Marliese Nist, PhD, RNC-NIC, and Rita Pickler, PhD, RN, FAAN, were awarded a $3.2 million grant from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NIH/NICHD) to study parental involvement in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) caregiving. Their research aims to improve care and outcomes for preterm infants and to identify the barriers that prevent parents from spending uninterrupted time with their newborns.
- Shannon Gillespie, PhD, RN, FAAN, was awarded a $2.3 million grant from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NIH/NICHD) to develop a tool to be used in prenatal clinics to prevent pregnancy complications. Using early pregnancy blood samples, Gillespie and her team will determine the likelihood of an individual experiencing a preterm birth during their pregnancy.
"Our researchers’ ability to secure this critical funding is a testament to their passion and purpose and affirms our college’s commitment to using science to improve the life and health of others," said Susie Breitenstein, PhD, RN, FAAN, professor and senior associate dean for research.. "I am proud to work alongside such brilliant and dedicated scientists.”
