TTUHSC School of Nursing Appoints New Director of the Post Master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice Program

• By Kate Gollahon
• January 11, 2024
• Education

Jeff Watson, DNP, RN, NEA-BC has been appointed as the new Director of the Post Master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (PM DNP) program at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC). Watson graduated from the School of Nursing’s PM DNP program in 2016, and will continue to develop and expand the program as director. 

With experience in nursing administration, leadership development, leading and managing, Watson is board certified in four areas of practice, most recently becoming a certified professional in patient safety and healthcare quality. 

Since 2019, Watson has been awarded the Outstanding Faculty of the Year award by the TTUHSC student government six times in multiple areas of teaching. He was also awarded the University Distinguished Faculty designation.

Watson is a past president of the Texas Nurses Association (TNA) and was awarded the Texas Nurse of the Year District 18 Award in 2019. Outside his commitment to teaching, he serves on the Lubbock Hospice Board and on TNA committees, and was previously on the board of directors for the American Nurses Association (ANA). Having presented regionally, nationally and internationally, Watson is widely published in areas of advocacy, leadership skills and transformation. 

The Post Master's Doctor of Nursing Practice program is nationally ranked by the US News and World Report as 22nd out of 648 evaluated programs for the 2023-24 academic year. The School of Nursing welcomes Watson’s new leadership of this flourishing program.