Molly Narrod, MSN, RNC-NIC, CN, originally thought she wanted to be a physician. She entered college with a goal to be pre-med, but after taking a course on the sociology of health care and illness, her world was opened to the disparities in health care within the United States. She then set her sights on public health, majoring in neuroscience and Spanish. After graduating, she worked for a year as a preschool teacher with Teach for America before realizing nursing was her true calling.
The journey from GEM to DNP
Narrod chose Rush for her nursing education because of its focus on professional development outside of the classroom and emphasis on diversity and inclusion. She was also excited about the prospect of getting her master’s through the Generalist Entry Master’s program and later continuing her education through the DNP program.
“My most memorable experiences were with my classmates, in the classroom and outside of it,” Narrod said. “I have maintained friendships from both the GEM program and the DNP program, along with relationships with professors.”
Gaining clinical acumen and confidence
When she started in the Psychiatric-Mental Health DNP program, Narrod thought she would focus on pediatric mental health. While completing the DNP program, she narrowed her focus to perinatal mental health and LGBTQ+ mental health.
The GEM and DNP programs have given Narrod confidence in her skills as a nurse and taught her to be resourceful in advocating for her patients.
“I am more confident, calm and evidence-based,” she said. “I know where to go to look things up when I have questions, and I am not afraid to speak up when I think improvements can be made.”
Narrod earned her DNP in August 2025. She plans to transition to a nurse practitioner role, where she can apply her specialized knowledge of perinatal mental health to support families during critical transitions.
