Precious Chukwuere
Dr. Precious Chukwuere’s passion for nursing stems from a deep-rooted desire to make a meaningful impact on people's lives.
“Nursing became a means through which I can extend care to others, promote life, and support those in need,” he said.
The first scholar admitted to the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing postdoctoral program with focus on Nursing and Caring Science, Dr. Chukwuere joined the college in December 2024. After finishing the program, he hopes to continue his research and contribute to the advancement of nursing knowledge.
“Growing up in an environment surrounded by care, be it from parents, siblings, or extended family members, I learned the importance of compassion and empathy,” Dr. Chukwuere shared.
This nurturing atmosphere reinforced his belief that care should be universally shared, and nursing provided the most direct path to fulfilling that vision.
Dr. Chukwuere’s academic journey began in Nigeria, where he completed his Bachelor of Nursing Science in 2014 at Madonna University in Elele, Rivers State. He then advanced his education in South Africa, earning his Master of Nursing Science in 2018 and his Ph.D. in Nursing Science in 2021 from North-West University. He later embarked on a postdoctoral fellowship, where he tested DREAM Intervention in Presence Practice. The DREAM Intervention is an evidence-based approach designed to enhance presence practice in nursing. It integrates caring presence, patient engagement, and holistic care, focusing on fostering authentic presence, meaningful connections and attuning care to meet the core needs of patients. This intervention emphasizes a compassionate, patient-centered approach, encouraging nurses to be fully present while addressing the physical, emotional, and psychosocial dimensions of care.
His pursuit of advancing his understanding of Presence Practice is what ultimately led him to Caring Science and the unique post-doctorate program at the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing.
Dr. Chukwuere’s research focuses on adolescent mental health, caring science and caring presence, social media research, and the application of Artificial Intelligence in Adolescent Mental Health Care. His current postdoctoral research centers on testing interventions designed to enhance cognition, mental health, and health-related quality of life, all within the framework of Caring Science theory.
Dedicated to giving back to the community, he disseminates his research outcomes through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, community engagement and collaborative efforts with academic and professional networks.
“My ultimate goal is to contribute to a more compassionate approach to health care delivery by bridging the gap between technological advancements and human-centered care,” Dr. Chukwuere stated.
Working under the mentorship of Dr. Howard Butcher, professor and director of the Ph.D. in Nursing program, he is expected to complete his fellowship by December 2025. After his fellowship, Dr. Chukwuere hopes to mentor the next generation of scholars to advance the growth of the profession he so passionately supports.
“I view Caring Science as the foundation framework under which practices like presence are conceptualised,” he noted. “It has become the core of my academic and professional path.”