A thought leader in nursing innovation and nursing education, Dr. Godfrey writes often on new care delivery models that can be influenced by a stronger emphasis on the nurse within—researching and developing strategies to create the whole person experience in nursing practice going forward. Her work with the International Society for Professional Identity in Nursing is transforming the way nurses, health care professionals and society understanding what it means to “think, act and feel like a nurse.” This work offers new language and new knowledge for the journey—helping nurses heal, flourish and expertly care for others.
Dr. Godfrey received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Missouri, her Masters in Nursing and credential as a Clinical Nurse Specialist from the University of Kansas Medical Center, and her PhD in Nursing from the University of Missouri. Scholarly accomplishments include seminal work in professional identity in nursing and implementing the AACN Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education. Programmatic achievements include helping create the KU Community College Nursing Program (KUCCNP) in which community college students dually enroll in their community college and KU simultaneously, allowing them to graduate with an associate degree in nursing and a bachelor of science in nursing at the same time. Dr. Godfrey serves on the American Nurses Association Ethics and Human Rights Advisory Board and is formerly one of two co-leads for the Missouri Action Coalition supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Landis, T., Ferris, J., Godfrey, N. & Klein, T. (2025). Godfrey: Co-Investigator. The relationship between substance use, disciplinary action, and professional identity in nursing. Submitted to the National Council of State Boards of Nur
Godfrey, N. & Mudaranthakam, D. P. (2024). Biostatistical analysis and scoring mechanisms for the PINS 3.0 instrument. BERD (Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Research & Design) Voucher funds, University of Kansas Medical Center. The aim was to fund the next steps in developing PINS 3.0 instrument resources and to develop a recommended scoring mechanism for the instrument that can be used with individual or aggregate data. $5000.
Godfrey, N. (2012). State Implementation Grant for the Missouri Action Coalition, Robert Wood Johnson/AARP Center to Champion Nursing in America, $150,000. Chief grant writer and co-administrator.
Manos, L., Johnston, K., Godfrey, N., & others. (2012). HRSA Implementation Grant: Interprofessional Collaborative Acute Care Practice. (ICAP) to help at risk children and their families transition smoothly from home to follow up care. Served as the Student Education Coordinator and was 15% on the grant 2012-13. Total grant: $1,000,000.
Godfrey, N.S. (2009-16). Clinical Faculty and Clinical Sites through the Kansas Department of Corrections, 2009-2016. $40,000 per year x 9 years. Total: $360,000
Godfrey, N. & Luparell, S. (in press.) Professionalism and Professional Identity. In Halstead & Roux, The Essence of Nursing: Developing a Nursing Identity. Cogella Publishers.
Godfrey, N. (2025). Legal and ethical issues. In Joseph, M.L. and Huber, D. eds. Leadership and Nursing Care Management, 8th edition. Elsevier. 101-119,
Godfrey, N. & Young, E. (2025). Professional Identity. In Giddens, J. Concepts of Nursing Practice, 4th edition. St. Louis: Elsevier Publishing. pp. 409-417.
Godfrey, N. (2024). Introduction to curriculum development. In Billings, D & Halstead, J., eds. Teaching in Nursing. 7th edition. Wolters Kluwer. pp. 124-154. AJN Book of the Year 2024
Shank, L. & Godfrey, N. (2024). Developing a Professional Identity. In Ulrich, B., Ed. Mastering precepting. 3rd. edition. pp. 119-134.
Godfrey, N. & Young, E. (2021). Professional Identity. In Giddens, J. Concepts of Nursing Practice, 3rd edition. St. Louis: Elsevier Publishing. 363-370.
Buchanan, L. & Godfrey, N. (2021). Communication. In Giddens, J. Concepts of Nursing Practice, 3rd edition. St. Louis: Elsevier Publishing.
Godfrey, N. (2019). Professional identity, image, and insights in career planning. In Payne, J.K. & Murphy-Ende, K., eds. Current Trends in Oncology Nursing, 2nd edition. Pittsburgh: Oncology Nursing Society.
Godfrey, N. & Crigger, N. (2017). Professional Identity. In Giddens, J. Concepts of Nursing Practice, 2nd edition. St. Louis: Elsevier Publishing. 379-386.
Kumm, S. & Godfrey, N. (2017). Managing organizational change effectively. In Oermann, M., ed., A Systematic Approach to Assessment and Evaluation of Nursing Programs. Washington, DC: NLN Publications. 138-147.
10/25 Godfrey, N. & Owens, R. (2025). Professionalism and Professional Identity. International Society for Professional Identity in Nursing. October 7, 2025. Virtual.
9/25 Godfrey, N. (2025). Professional Identity in Nursing: Why Does it Matter? Japanese Nurse Educator Conference. September 27, 2025. Virtual.
1/25 Godfrey, N. International Society for Professional Identity in Nursing Organizational Update. ISPIN Mini-Symposium, January 10,2025. Virtual.
3/24 Godfrey, N., Howard, M., Embree, J. & Phillips, B. (2024). Special Session: Transforming Nursing: The Power of Professional Identity, Comportment, and Leadership. Sigma Theta Tau Creating Healthy Work Environments conference, Washington, DC, March 10, 2024. (peer reviewed)
11/23 Godfrey, N., Embree, J., Howard, M. (2023). Special Session: Integrating Professional Identity Into Your Nursing Practice. Podium presentation. Sigma Theta Tau Biennial Convention, November 6, 2023. San Antonio: (invited)
9/23 Godfrey, N. (2023). State of the Science for Professional Identity. Podium presentation, September 12, 2023. Kansas City, KS. (invited)
9/22 Godfrey, N. Professional identity in nursing: State of the science. Symposium 2022: Professional Identity in Nursing. Virtual and in person. Kansas City, KS. September 13, 2022. (peer reviewed)
3/22 Godfrey, N. Global Ethics in Nursing—Challenges in Health Care. Finnish Doctoral Education Network in Nursing Science, University of Turku, Finland. Course title: Nursing Science: Ethics in health care and nursing research, March 2022. (invited)
11/21 Godfrey, N., Landis, T., Owens, R. & Priddy, K. (2021). Symposium: Professional identity—New knowledge for the journey. Sigma Theta Tau 46th Biennial Convention, Indianapolis, IN. November 9, 2021. (peer reviewed)
11/21 Godfrey, N. & Fitzgerald, A. (2021). Forming and fostering a professional identity in nursing. International Council of Nurses. (ICN) Congress. Poster presentation. Geneva/Virtual. November 6, 2021. (peer reviewed)
7/21 Godfrey, N & Cornwell, K. (2021). Special session: Professional identity in nursing. Sigma Theta Tau International Research Congress, July 21-23, 2021. Virtual/Singapore. July 21, 2021. (peer reviewed)
12/20 Godfrey, N., Brewington, J., Robinson, M., Godsey, J. & Hayes, T. (2020). Bridging the Gap between Nursing’s Professional Identity and the Inconsistent Brand Image of Nursing. Sigma Webinar. December 15, 2020. (invited)
10/20 Godfrey, N. Global Ethics in Nursing and Challenges for Professional Ethics. At the Finnish Doctoral Education Network in Nursing Science conference, Nursing Science: Ethics in Health Care and Nursing. University of Turku, Finland. October 2020. (invited)
10/20 Godfrey, N., Young, E. & Linares, B. Understanding Interprofessional Professional Identity: Commonalities and Connections among Nursing, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy. NEXUS: National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education Virtual Conference, October 2020. (peer reviewed)
9/20 Godfrey, N. Professional Identity in Nursing: State of the Science and Next Steps. VF2020, Professional Identity in Nursing Virtual Forum. September 2020.
Godfrey, N. & Phillips, B. (2025). Professional Identity in Nursing. ATI Education Webinar, May 21, 2025. Why Professional Identity Matters in Nursing Education.
Godfrey, N. (2025). Professional Identity in Nursing with Dr. Nelda Godfrey. Podcast, February 2, 2025. Link to article Beyond Nurse Residency.
Godfrey, N. (2025). Professional Identity in Healthcare Education. Disruptor Diaries: Health Care Education Innovation Unleashed. June 25, 2025. Link to Podcast.
Godfrey, N. (2022). International Society for Professional Identity in Nursing (ISPIN) Introduction and orientation. March 2022. Kansas City, KS.
Stokes, L., Rushton, C.H., Godfrey, N. & Cruz-Maxwell, E. (December 6, 2021). COVID-19 Vaccines: Ethical Considerations for Nurses. American Nurses Association.
Godfrey, N. (2021). Drawing blood: Phlebotomy in the adult outpatient setting. Knowledge Services Division, University of Kansas School of Nursing, Kansas City, Kansas. Blackboard course.
Godfrey, N. (2021). Cardio vascular nursing certification review course. (CVNCRC 100). Knowledge Services Division, University of Kansas School of Nursing, Kansas City, KS. Blackboard course.
Upvall, M., Godfrey, N., Olson, L. & Chernot, T. (2020). Leading Ethically from Where You Are. Webinar for Nursing NOW and co-sponsored by the American Nurses Association.
