Linda D. Scott, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FNAP, FAAN

PhD, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; Nursing
MSN, Grand Valley State University; Nursing Administration
BSN, Michigan State University, East Lansing; Nursing

Dr. Linda Scott is the dean of the University of Wisconsin—Madison School of Nursing. She was appointed the eighth dean of the School in July 2016 where she provides direction and leadership in educating nurses for the future of care, strengthening the school’s research enterprise, and forging partnerships to improve health outcomes. As a leading scholar in sleep and health services research, her research on workforce issues has influenced the direction of health policy formation as the nation struggles to provide patient-centered, quality health care amidst a significant nursing workforce shortage.  Dr. Scott has also led diversity efforts across academic degrees and curricula such as the implementation of holistic admissions review; a strategy to enhance the diversity of the nursing workforce and improve patient outcomes by having a nursing profession that mirrors the populations in which it serves.

Dr. Scott assumed the role of president-elect of the American Academy of Nursing in October 2021. In addition, she is a fellow of the National Academies of Practice and a member of Sigma Theta Tau honor society for nursing. Through December 2022, Dr. Scott serves as an associate editor for Nursing Outlook, the official journal of the American Academy of Nursing. In June 2022, she accepted a nomination to become a member of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s Board of Health Care Services.

Dr. Scott earned her PhD in nursing from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, her master’s degree from Grand Valley State in Allendale, Michigan, and her undergraduate degree from Michigan State University in East Lansing.

Research focus areas

Health Systems and Public Health

• Dean Scott studies the impact of fatigue and sleep deprivation on both nurses and their patients.
• Dean Scott has developed and implemented programs focused on economically disadvantaged students, including racial and ethnic minorities.
• Dean Scott has led diversity efforts across academic degrees, curricula, and universities, including holistic approaches to admission review and student success. These initiatives contribute to the development of the future nursing research, education, and practice workforce to meet the complex health needs of all populations.

Health Systems & Public Health

Learn more about Dean Scott’s research

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