Jean Bernhardt, PhD, RN, FNP-BC, NEA-BC, is an Associate Professor at the MGH Institute of Health Professions, where she teaches in doctoral and advanced nursing practice programs. Her teaching focuses on executive nursing practice, nursing theory, and health policy. Dr. Bernhardt is certified as a family nurse practitioner and nurse executive and is also licensed as a nursing home administrator.
Her scholarly work centers on nursing leadership in practice, the application of theoretical frameworks to climate change and health, and the development and use of nurse-sensitive indicators in ambulatory care settings. Dr. Bernhardt has held leadership and clinical roles across diverse ambulatory care environments, including community health, home health, adult day health, primary care, occupational health, and student health. She has authored multiple peer-reviewed publications and regularly presents her work at national conferences.
- BSN, Nursing, Fitchburg State College, Fitchburg, MA
- MSN, Primary Care Nursing in Society, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
- MSHA, Health Services Administration, St. Joseph’s College, Windham, ME
- PhD, Nursing and Health Policy, University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA
Leadership, management, nursing theory, heat-related illnesses, climate change
Dr. Bernhardt has published numerous papers - some titles are highlighted below. These works are unified by a focus on nursing leadership and management as drivers of quality, equity, and system-level impact across diverse clinical and population health contexts. In combination, they emphasize the development and application of nurse-sensitive indicators to evaluate care processes and outcomes, particularly in ambulatory and high-risk populations. The climate-focused scholarship advances this framework by integrating social determinants of health and the socioecological model to address heat-related illness, demonstrating how nurse-led screening tools and population-based interventions can mitigate emerging climate risks. Together, these contributions position nursing leadership as central to advancing measurement science, improving care delivery, and responding to complex public health challenges, including climate change.
You can view a complete listing of Dr. Bernhardt's publications on ResearchGate or in her CV.
Influence of social determinants of health on heat-related illnesses in context of climate change and excess heat: A scoping review.
The heat-related illness tool: A case study for populations at risk.
Application of the socioecological model to mitigate risks of heat illness.
Development of a screening tool for assessment of climate change-related heat illness in the clinical setting.
Transferable nursing skills that support nurse leader development.
Perceptions of clinical leaders’ abilities to lead COVID-19 clinics.
The Future of Nursing 2020-2030: The critical role of nurses and nurse leaders in addressing the health impacts of climate change.
Understanding the office-based addiction treatment nurse’s contribution to the recovery of interprofessional team patients: A quality improvement project.
ACEs and social risk factors in patients with opioid use disorder.
Ambulatory indicators in the care of patients with opioid use disorder.
In addition, Dr. Bernhardt regularly presents at conferences and industry events. Please see her CV for a complete list of presentations.
Development of the heat-related illness screening tool in the context of the socioecological model. Nashville, TN
Educating Future Leaders on Their Role in Climate Change. Bonita Springs, FL
Leading Remotely Requires Technology Competencies to Maintain Visibility. New Orleans, LA
Exploring a Theoretical Lens for Leadership Development of a Millennial Workforce. Virtual
Evidence of the Contribution of the Nurse in Addictions Care. Orlando, FL
