Carol Fluegge’s journey in nursing leadership is a testament to the power of passion, education, and lifelong dedication to service. As a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Executive Leadership student at George Washington University School of Nursing, Fluegge is combining decades of healthcare leadership experience with new knowledge in health policy, research, entrepreneurship, and population health. Set to graduate in May 2025, she is already making an impact that extends far beyond her home state of Pennsylvania.
Merging Education with Real-World Application
Fluegge has found that what she learns at GW translates seamlessly into her professional work. A standout example is her DNP project, which focuses on an important but often overlooked gap in nursing leadership: healthcare finance and business management education.
She designed and implemented a mentoring program to educate nurse leaders on these critical topics—and the results have been both clinically and statistically significant.
“This project showed me how much need there is for this kind of education among nurse leaders,” Fluegge said. “It’s something I can replicate across different institutions to help shape more financially literate and empowered nursing leadership teams.”
Another highlight of her studies was the Nurse Entrepreneurship class, which inspired her to develop and begin the process of formalizing a healthcare and nursing consulting practice. Meanwhile, coursework in Epidemiology and Population Health has given her tools to build programs that address social determinants of health in her community.
A Lifelong Calling
Unlike many who transition into nursing from other careers, Fluegge always knew where her heart was.
“Being a nurse is my essence; it’s my calling,” she said. “Caring for people and helping them become their best has always been my passion.”
Her drive is fueled by compassion, service, and a belief in promoting health and healing—especially for the most vulnerable populations. Fluegge's commitment to advocacy and transformational care has only deepened through her time at GW.
A Strong Presence at ENRS
In March, Fluegge had the opportunity to share her work on a larger stage, presenting a poster session at the Eastern Nursing Research Society (ENRS) conference. Her project, "The Impact of a Healthcare Financial and Business Management Education and Mentoring Program on Nurse Leaders: A Mixed Method Project," sparked lively discussions among attendees.
“The back and forth was fantastic,” she said. “Many recognized the significant practice gap and were very supportive of the program I developed.”
The enthusiasm from colleagues confirmed for Fluegge that her project addresses a critical need—and affirmed her desire to continue influencing nursing leadership through education and mentoring.
Shaping the Future Through Policy, Research, and Teaching
Looking ahead, Fluegge sees her GW education as the launchpad for an expanded role in healthcare advocacy, policy development, research, and teaching.
“The program gave me a well-rounded education in areas I had little prior experience—health policy, research, entrepreneurship, epidemiology,” she said. “With this knowledge, I can work at the regional and state levels to help shape healthcare policy and advance nursing education.”
She also envisions herself in academia, teaching graduate nursing students and mentoring future nurse leaders, combining her executive experience with new insights gained at GW.
A Passion for Service and Change
Fluegge’s passions extend beyond nursing leadership. She is deeply committed to giving back, volunteering for mission work, advocating for universal healthcare, addressing children’s issues, and mentoring the next generation of nurses.
“All of these passions tie into my goal of revolutionizing healthcare,” she said. “We need strong, compassionate leaders who are willing to tackle systemic challenges—and I want to be a part of building that future.”
With a deep-rooted commitment to service and a bold vision for the future of healthcare, Carol Fluegge is not just preparing to graduate—she is preparing to lead transformational change, both in the classroom and across the broader healthcare landscape.