Michelle Michel DNP, APRN- CNP-BC, CVNP-BC, earned her MSN from Kent State University in 1999 and has since built a distinguished career as an Adult Health Nurse Practitioner specializing in cardiology. In her current role, she serves as Lead Nurse Practitioner and Structural Heart Program Coordinator, where she has played a pivotal role in the development of the valvular heart disease program, the Transcatheter Valve Certification, and the evidence-based minimalist Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) procedures.
Michelle is deeply committed to quality improvement, co-chairing the Structural Heart Quality Improvement Committee and Vice Chair of the Advanced Practice Provider Council. She is also passionate about advancing nursing practice by advocating for nurse residency programs for newly licensed registered nurses and supporting the structural empowerment of advanced practice providers.
Michelle completed her Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP) in August 2024, further solidifying her leadership in the field.
Q: Michelle, why did you return for your DNP?
As a nurse practitioner with more than 20 years of experience, I returned to pursue my DNP to deepen my understanding of how to influence healthcare policy and improve patient care as a nurse leader. I wanted to learn how to effectively translate research into practice on a larger scale, to impact populations as a whole. Additionally, I recognize that as the advanced practice workforce continues to expand, DNPs like myself will play a key role in shaping the future of healthcare and guiding the evolution of nursing practice.
Q: Why did you return to Kent State University?
I chose to return to Kent State for my DNP because it is a trusted institution with which I already had a positive experience. As a former student and adjunct faculty member, I was familiar with and respected the expertise of the faculty and staff. After comparing Kent’s DNP program to others, I found it best suited my needs. The admissions process was clear and straightforward, the cost was reasonable, and the program’s flexibility allowed me to balance my studies with my work as a practicing clinician.
Q: What did you learn from completing your DNP project?
From completing my DNP scholarly project, I learned that being a doctorally prepared nurse is a journey of continuous learning that begins with clinical inquiry. I also gained a deeper understanding of the systematic process of applying evidence to practice and how translational science can sustainably impact not only patients but also organizations and populations.
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