Melissa Nee, BSN ’20, MS-NU ’22, DNP ’26 keeps returning to the place that shaped her. After earning her BSN and master's in nursing at the IHP, she returned for her Doctor of Nursing Practice—and now works as a nurse practitioner in primary care with Mass General Brigham Medical Group in Lynn while joining the NP faculty here. It’s a full-circle journey from student to educator. “The IHP has always felt like home,” Melissa says. But it was the DNP program's quality-improvement coursework she found especially transformative, giving her practical tools to turn ideas into measurable change. Today, those skills shape both how she cares for patients and how she teaches the next generation of providers.

Tell us a little bit about your current role.

I’m a nurse practitioner in primary care with Mass General Brigham Medical Group in Lynn, MA. I also serve as new faculty in the NP program here at the IHP. Alongside clinical practice and teaching, I’m continuing my scholarly work in APP postgraduate education and will be completing my post-master’s certificate in nursing education this summer.

What was the catalyst for you to pursue an additional degree?

I wanted to expand my ability to influence both clinical practice and NP education. Advancing my training felt essential to shaping how future providers learn and how patients experience care.

You graduated from the IHP with your BSN and MS-NU degrees in 2020 and 2022, respectively, What was the most positive aspect of returning to the IHP for your DNP degree?

The IHP has always felt like home. Coming back for my DNP meant reconnecting with a familiar, supportive community that encourages growth while honoring the relationships and values that shaped my earlier training.

What do you think you brought with you from your first degrees into your DNP program?

A strong clinical foundation, a learner-centered mindset, and a commitment to evidence-based practice. Those experiences helped me approach the DNP with clarity, purpose, and curiosity.

What are you hoping to achieve with your DNP degree?

I hope to drive system-level improvements in primary care, strengthen APP postgraduate education, and continue building pathways that support both patient access and provider development.

Which class or learning experience was most impactful for you? Why?

The quality improvement coursework was transformative. It gave me practical tools to turn ideas into measurable change with skills that directly influence both my clinical work and my teaching.

What advice do you have for other alumni who are thinking of furthering their education at the IHP?

If you’re ready to grow, the IHP will stretch you in all the right ways. Lean into the challenge, stay connected to mentors, and trust that the investment will elevate your practice and your impact.