NEW ROCHELLE, NY — H. Michael Dreher, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, the Elizabeth Bell LeVaca Dean of the School of Nursing & Healthcare Professions at The College of New Rochelle, and co-author Michael D. Dahnke, Ph.D. were recently recognized by The American Journal of Nursing (AJN) for their book, Philosophy of Science for Nursing Practice, Second Edition, which placed second in its 2016 Book of the Year Contest. The book was one of only three other books to place second in the category for Nursing Research. The annual AJN awards are the most prestigious publishing awards in nursing.
“We are extremely proud of Drs. Dreher and Dahnke for this remarkable achievement,” said Dr. Dorothy Escribano, interim president for The College of New Rochelle. “I join the entire faculty, staff and student body at the College in applauding them for their great work.”
Focused on the philosophy of science and its application to practice doctorates, Philosophy of Science for Nursing Practice, Second Edition provides a unique, integrated viewpoint that facilitates a connection between the philosophy of science, nursing science and practice. Drs. Dreher and Dahnke co-authored the first edition of the book which was awarded a 5-Star Doody™ Review and was selected as a Core Doody™ Title 2010-2012. This second edition offers enhanced clarity and encompasses updates in philosophy of science interpretation, nursing practice and science, and a still-emerging practice epistemology.
The content focuses on the basic principles and concepts of the philosophy of science in regard to the education of both DNP and PhD nursing students. The book discusses the concept of nursing as a “practice discipline” within historical and sociological contexts, and addresses the importance of philosophy of science knowledge within a practice discipline. It examines the controversial question of how much philosophy of science a doctoral nursing student actually needs. The text concludes with a brief introduction to nursing science knowledge content that is an essential “bridge” to the philosophy of science content, and serves as a “next step” toward building a nursing epistemology.
Dr. H. Michael Dreher, the Elizabeth Bell LeVaca Dean of the School of Nursing & Healthcare Professions, joined The College of New Rochelle in June 2014. He has worked in the field of nursing for 30 years, including 17 years at Drexel University College of Nursing and Health Professions in Philadelphia. As the founding Chair of the Doctoral Nursing Department at Drexel, Dreher developed one of the first Doctor of Nursing Practice programs in the country in 2005. This program prepared doctoral advanced nursing practice clinical scholars and included the first mandatory doctoral nursing study abroad program in the U.S. Dreher regularly contributes to scholarly publications on advanced practice doctoral nursing education and has co-authored three books. Dr. Michael D. Dahnke is an adjunct professor at CNR, as well as a philosopher and bioethicist. His areas of specialty include philosophy of science, ethics, aesthetics, philosophy of film, and contemporary continental philosophy. He has also co-authored two books, and has taught widely in nursing and health professions education, including BSN, MS, and DrNP students.