Rutgers Nursing Leader Recognized for National Contributions to DNP Education, Nursing Policy, and Health Care Practice

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Tracy R. Vitale (DNP, RNC-OB, C-EFM, NE-BC, CNE), associate professor and interim associate dean of clinical affairs at Rutgers University School of Nursing, has been named a 2025 Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (AAN)—one of the profession’s highest honors.

She joins a cohort of distinguished nurse leaders who will be formally inducted at the Academy’s annual Health Policy Conference, October 16–18, in Washington, D.C.

The newest AAN fellows represent 42 states, the District of Columbia, and 12 countries. Their extensive expertise will enrich the thought leadership of the over 3,200 Academy fellows who together advance the Academy’s mission of improving health and achieving health equity by impacting policy through nursing leadership, innovation, and science. “Earning the FAAN credential is a prestigious recognition of one’s accomplishments,” said AAN President Linda D. Scott (PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FADLN, FNAP, FAAN).

A respected national voice in Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) education, Vitale is well known for leading efforts to enhance the model widely used for the requisite “DNP project” that each student must complete to earn the degree. She has been largely instrumental in transitioning the DNP project from a traditional research style model to a practice-focused initiative that drives sustainable clinical improvements.

“Dr. Vitale is an extraordinary educator whose work is taking the DNP degree to its next level at our school and nationally,” said Angela Starkweather (PhD, ACNP-BC, CNRN, FAAN), dean and professor at Rutgers School of Nursing. “Her vision for advanced practice education, her mentorship of emerging nurse leaders, and her commitment to furthering evidence-based health care have made a lasting impact on our profession.”

Vitale was appointed as the school’s interim associate dean for clinical affairs in January 2025. In this role, she guides the strategic development, maintenance, and evaluation of formal academic-practice agreements with clinical and community partners to support student clinical education, as well as opportunities for faculty practice and community-based research.

Passionate about ensuring that DNP graduates are well-prepared for leadership roles in the nation’s increasingly complex health care system, Vitale also continues in her position of specialty director for the DNP projects and DNP project courses at Rutgers School of Nursing, where her innovations have included launching an annual online DNP Projects Poster Day. As both a faculty member and alumna of Rutgers School of Nursing’s DNP program, she is proud of its current U.S. News & World Report ranking as the 4th highest in the nation.

As co-chair of the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties DNP Project Taskforce, Vitale has helped shape national guidance on DNP project expectations. She also co-founded the DNP Think Tank, a national faculty collaboration, and co-founded and co-hosted the DNP Project Podcast, which has been downloaded by more than 10,000 listeners.

Her co-authored textbook, “The DNP Project Workbook,” is used by more than 100 nursing programs nationwide to guide students and faculty. Her scholarship appears in leading peer-reviewed journals including Nursing Research, JONA, JDNP, and JBI Evidence Synthesis. Her work was cited in the National Academies of Medicine’s Future of Nursing 2021 report, which called for transformation in nursing education and leadership.

Susan W. Salmond (EdD, RN, ANEF, FAAN), professor and executive director of accreditation and special projects, nominated Vitale for fellowship in the Academy of Nursing. “Dr. Vitale has been a driving force in redefining DNP education, particularly in reshaping the DNP project and its value to better prepare practice leaders to effectuate clinical change,” Salmond said. “Her steadfast commitment to focusing projects on evidence-based care, quality improvement, policy, and implementation science exemplifies true leadership.”

Beyond academia, Vitale has held leadership roles with the New Jersey State Nurses Association and the Organization of Nurse Leaders of New Jersey, and she serves as a subject matter expert for Wolters Kluwer Lippincott Professional Development. She is also a regular peer reviewer for scholarly nursing journals.

Vitale earned her BSN from The College of New Jersey and her MSN from the University of Phoenix. She is a proud alumna of Rutgers School of Nursing, where she earned her DNP degree.

Her honors and awards include the 2024 Rising Star Alumni Award from the Rutgers School of Nursing Alumni Association, the 2023 Nurse Recognition Award from the New Jersey League for Nursing, and the 2020 Nurse of the Year Award, Educator Category, from the March of Dimes-New Jersey.

Upon her induction into the academy, Vitale will join an outstanding cadre of full-time Rutgers School of Nursing faculty members who have achieved the coveted FAAN designation:

• Julie Blumenfeld, DNP, CNM, IBCLC, FACNM, FAAN
• Wendy Budin, PhD, RN-BC, FAAN
• Edna Cadmus, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN
• Jill Cox, PhD, RN, APN-c, CWOCN, FAAN
• Karen D’Alonzo, PhD, RN, APN-c, FAAN
• Emilia Iwu, PhD, RN, APNC, FWACN
• Lucille Joel, EdD, RN, APN, FAAN
• Mary Johansen, PhD, RN, NE-BC, FAAN
• Olga Jarrín Montaner, PhD, RN, FAAN
• John Nelson, PhD, CNS, CPNP, FAAN
• Keesha Roach, PhD, RN, FAAN
• Susan Salmond, EdD, RN, ANEF, FAAN
• Angela Starkweather, PhD, ACNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN
• Charlotte Thomas-Hawkins, PhD, RN, FAAN