Funded

Two PhD students with GRAs tell their stories

by Victoria Ellwood

Two College of Nursing graduate research associates (GRAs) in The Ohio State University College of Nursing's PhD program may hail from opposite sides of America, but they have a few things in common.

Both were drawn to Ohio State because of the college’s research reputation. Both strive to temper health disparities in minority populations. And both say a little funding assist from the college didn’t hurt, either.

Jessica Sherman grew up in Virginia, and is working on her PhD with a research interest in healthcare inequities among racial, gender and sexual minorities. Melissa Wong – a lifelong Californian – is pursuing her degree with a focus on breast and cervical cancer prevention in the Asian-American community.

Both were granted GRA positions and funding – including tuition and stipends – from the College of Nursing. That’s a critical component, and benefits not only the students but the faculty and college too, according to Rita Pickler, PhD, RN, FAAN, the director of the PhD and MS in Nursing Science programs.

“There are only 135 PhD programs in nursing in the country, and unlike many clinical programs, there often isn’t a lot of funding available,” Pickler said. “We need nurse scientists. The funding is critical so students can pursue their program full-time and launch their research career. Helping them get to the business of their research is valuable for them, for the profession and ultimately for the public.”

The College of Nursing funds two GRA positions every two years. They are funded by and assigned to the college’s centers. Sherman’s GRA is with the Martha S. Pitzer Center for Women, Children and Youth. Wong’s is with the Center for Healthy Aging, Self-Management and Complex Care.

“While completing their degrees, the students work under the auspices of the center directors,” Pickler explained. “They are directly assigned to various faculty throughout the year to help with that faculty’s research work, in addition to pursuing their own. It’s a plus for the faculty, but the students really benefit by working with a broad group of researchers. They get involved in many different research projects and topics and many different research methods. It’s a win-win for everyone.”