Ruth
Cangialosi
May 2026
Ruth
Cangialosi
,
DNP, MSN, PMH‑BC, RN
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights
,
KY
United States
Every interaction radiates genuine enthusiasm, and that energy is contagious; at one point, she even inspired me to consider becoming a faculty member myself.
Dr. Cangialosi has served as my DNP faculty advisor from Spring 2025 through the present, and her support has meant more to my DNP journey than I can fully put into words. From the beginning, she has consistently gone above and beyond to support her students, offering encouragement, thoughtful guidance, and a genuine investment in our success. I began my DNP program with a clear project in mind, something I had been planning for since the start of the program.
At the beginning of my clinical practicum, I learned that my clinical site had already begun the very project I intended to use for my DNP work. At that point, I felt overwhelmed and honestly unsure how I was supposed to move forward. Dr. Cangialosi took the time to meet with me during what felt like a major turning point in my program. She slowed the conversation down and truly listened, allowing space for my frustration and uncertainty without judgment. Instead of immediately jumping to a solution, she asked thoughtful questions about my interests, goals, and strengths. With her guidance and encouragement, I was able to regroup and develop a new DNP project that felt just as meaningful and aligned with my professional values.
Throughout the practicum, Dr. Cangialosi consistently went above and beyond for her students. She maintained regular touchpoints that helped keep me grounded during stressful moments and pushed me to think at a deeper level. Her feedback was always supportive but honest, challenging me to grow without feeling overwhelmed.
One of her greatest strengths is her ability to connect the coursework to a purpose. By sharing stories from her own experience as a nurse leader and lessons from previous students, she helped me understand the "why" behind the work, making complex concepts feel real and applicable. Dr. Cangialosi is a strong role model for professional nursing leadership. She treats students with compassion, fairness, and respect. She genuinely cares about helping students succeed. She views DNP students not just as learners but as developing leaders within the profession, and that belief has had a lasting impact on my confidence and growth. Dr. Cangialosi has played a huge role in my DNP journey.
***
I want to recognize Dr. Ruth Cangialosi for her exceptional dedication to graduate nursing education and her profound impact on Doctor of Nursing Practice students. Dr. Cangialosi exemplifies the compassion, clinical excellence, and mentorship that the DAISY Award celebrates. As my cohort’s DNP clinical faculty member, she consistently goes above and beyond to support her students’ growth in both advanced practice nursing and nursing scholarship. She has a unique ability to recognize each graduate student’s individual strengths and help them realize their full potential while instilling confidence and a strong sense of purpose in their professional development.
One personal experience that highlights her impact occurred when I unexpectedly lost my clinical site for my DNP scholarly project. I felt overwhelmed and uncertain about how to move forward, but Dr. Cangialosi met me with reassurance and clear guidance. She helped me reframe the situation as an opportunity rather than a setback and encouraged me to explore a new direction. With her support and encouragement, I transitioned into a DNP scholarly project in mental health nursing—an area I had not originally considered, but that ultimately aligned closely with my academic and professional goals. She provided steady encouragement, practical direction, and confidence when I needed it most. Because of her mentorship, what initially felt like a potential derailment of my education became one of the most meaningful turning points in my DNP journey.
Through her leadership and dedication, Dr. Cangialosi has made a lasting impact on her students. I am deeply grateful for her mentorship and can confidently say that my path in mental health nursing would not have been realized without her guidance. Her passion for nursing is evident and inspires those around her to strive for the highest standards. Dr. Cangialosi truly embodies what it means to be an extraordinary nurse educator and is highly deserving of the DAISY Award.
***
Dr. Ruth has been a guiding light throughout my DNP project, and her extraordinary mentorship and dedication to student success make her an ideal candidate for The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Graduate Faculty. I had the privilege of working closely with her during my DNP journey, and it became clear from the outset that she is not only deeply knowledgeable but also passionate about the success of her students.
One particular instance stands out where Dr. Ruth’s commitment to fostering a supportive, student-centered learning environment had a profound impact on my project. While navigating a particularly challenging aspect of my research, I was struggling to conceptualize the data analysis. Dr. Ruth took the time to meet with me multiple times outside of scheduled office hours, patiently walking me through complex statistical methods and helping me understand how to apply them to my project. Her willingness to go above and beyond, her openness to my concerns, and her ability to provide constructive feedback in a way that built my confidence were invaluable.
What truly sets Dr. Ruth apart is her deep understanding of the complexities of both the academic and clinical worlds, which she shares with her students. She is not only a highly skilled educator but also an empathetic mentor who is always available to offer guidance and support. Her passion for the field of nursing and her genuine care for her students’ professional growth are evident in every interaction. Dr. Ruth’s dedication to advancing nursing education, her encouragement to always strive for excellence, and her personal investment in each student’s success exemplify the qualities celebrated by The DAISY Award. Her commitment to supporting students both academically and personally has made a lasting impact on my professional journey, and I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this recognition than her.
***
During one of our most demanding semesters, I witnessed a moment that truly reflects why this faculty member embodies the spirit of the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Graduate Faculty. She consistently checks in with her students, ensuring we are progressing without becoming overwhelmed. Her passion for teaching, for learning, and for her students is unmistakable.
Every interaction radiates genuine enthusiasm, and that energy is contagious; at one point, she even inspired me to consider becoming a faculty member myself. She continually goes above and beyond to support our success, making it clear that our growth and well-being are her top priorities.
At the beginning of my clinical practicum, I learned that my clinical site had already begun the very project I intended to use for my DNP work. At that point, I felt overwhelmed and honestly unsure how I was supposed to move forward. Dr. Cangialosi took the time to meet with me during what felt like a major turning point in my program. She slowed the conversation down and truly listened, allowing space for my frustration and uncertainty without judgment. Instead of immediately jumping to a solution, she asked thoughtful questions about my interests, goals, and strengths. With her guidance and encouragement, I was able to regroup and develop a new DNP project that felt just as meaningful and aligned with my professional values.
Throughout the practicum, Dr. Cangialosi consistently went above and beyond for her students. She maintained regular touchpoints that helped keep me grounded during stressful moments and pushed me to think at a deeper level. Her feedback was always supportive but honest, challenging me to grow without feeling overwhelmed.
One of her greatest strengths is her ability to connect the coursework to a purpose. By sharing stories from her own experience as a nurse leader and lessons from previous students, she helped me understand the "why" behind the work, making complex concepts feel real and applicable. Dr. Cangialosi is a strong role model for professional nursing leadership. She treats students with compassion, fairness, and respect. She genuinely cares about helping students succeed. She views DNP students not just as learners but as developing leaders within the profession, and that belief has had a lasting impact on my confidence and growth. Dr. Cangialosi has played a huge role in my DNP journey.
***
I want to recognize Dr. Ruth Cangialosi for her exceptional dedication to graduate nursing education and her profound impact on Doctor of Nursing Practice students. Dr. Cangialosi exemplifies the compassion, clinical excellence, and mentorship that the DAISY Award celebrates. As my cohort’s DNP clinical faculty member, she consistently goes above and beyond to support her students’ growth in both advanced practice nursing and nursing scholarship. She has a unique ability to recognize each graduate student’s individual strengths and help them realize their full potential while instilling confidence and a strong sense of purpose in their professional development.
One personal experience that highlights her impact occurred when I unexpectedly lost my clinical site for my DNP scholarly project. I felt overwhelmed and uncertain about how to move forward, but Dr. Cangialosi met me with reassurance and clear guidance. She helped me reframe the situation as an opportunity rather than a setback and encouraged me to explore a new direction. With her support and encouragement, I transitioned into a DNP scholarly project in mental health nursing—an area I had not originally considered, but that ultimately aligned closely with my academic and professional goals. She provided steady encouragement, practical direction, and confidence when I needed it most. Because of her mentorship, what initially felt like a potential derailment of my education became one of the most meaningful turning points in my DNP journey.
Through her leadership and dedication, Dr. Cangialosi has made a lasting impact on her students. I am deeply grateful for her mentorship and can confidently say that my path in mental health nursing would not have been realized without her guidance. Her passion for nursing is evident and inspires those around her to strive for the highest standards. Dr. Cangialosi truly embodies what it means to be an extraordinary nurse educator and is highly deserving of the DAISY Award.
***
Dr. Ruth has been a guiding light throughout my DNP project, and her extraordinary mentorship and dedication to student success make her an ideal candidate for The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Graduate Faculty. I had the privilege of working closely with her during my DNP journey, and it became clear from the outset that she is not only deeply knowledgeable but also passionate about the success of her students.
One particular instance stands out where Dr. Ruth’s commitment to fostering a supportive, student-centered learning environment had a profound impact on my project. While navigating a particularly challenging aspect of my research, I was struggling to conceptualize the data analysis. Dr. Ruth took the time to meet with me multiple times outside of scheduled office hours, patiently walking me through complex statistical methods and helping me understand how to apply them to my project. Her willingness to go above and beyond, her openness to my concerns, and her ability to provide constructive feedback in a way that built my confidence were invaluable.
What truly sets Dr. Ruth apart is her deep understanding of the complexities of both the academic and clinical worlds, which she shares with her students. She is not only a highly skilled educator but also an empathetic mentor who is always available to offer guidance and support. Her passion for the field of nursing and her genuine care for her students’ professional growth are evident in every interaction. Dr. Ruth’s dedication to advancing nursing education, her encouragement to always strive for excellence, and her personal investment in each student’s success exemplify the qualities celebrated by The DAISY Award. Her commitment to supporting students both academically and personally has made a lasting impact on my professional journey, and I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this recognition than her.
***
During one of our most demanding semesters, I witnessed a moment that truly reflects why this faculty member embodies the spirit of the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Graduate Faculty. She consistently checks in with her students, ensuring we are progressing without becoming overwhelmed. Her passion for teaching, for learning, and for her students is unmistakable.
Every interaction radiates genuine enthusiasm, and that energy is contagious; at one point, she even inspired me to consider becoming a faculty member myself. She continually goes above and beyond to support our success, making it clear that our growth and well-being are her top priorities.