Skip to main content
Lydia Rotondo, DNP, RN, CNS, FNAP

Lydia Rotondo, DNP, RN, CNS, FNAP

(Pronouns: she/her/hers)
  • Senior Associate Dean, Graduate Education & Innovation
  • Director, Doctor of Nursing Practice Program
  • Professor of Clinical Nursing

Education

  • Doctor of Nursing Practice, 2013. Vanderbilt University. Nashville, TN
  • Master of Science in Nursing in Adult Health & Illness, Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialist, 1986. University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. Philadelphia, PA
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing, 1981. Georgetown University School of Nursing. Washington, DC

Bio

Lydia Rotondo, DNP, RN, CNS, FNAP, is a professor and distinguished leader in nursing education at the University of Rochester School of Nursing. As the senior associate dean for graduate education and innovation, Rotondo oversees the master's programs in nurse practitioner specialties, leadership, and nursing education, as well as oversees and directs the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program.

In her role, Rotondo is committed to promoting interprofessional education and exploring innovative solutions to address workforce and community needs. Over the past decade – in her previous role as associate dean for education and student affairs – she has led the School's development of an academic innovation infrastructure, transforming nursing education through the implementation of educational technology and experiential learning to support competency-based learning.

Her influence extends beyond the university setting. Rotondo has engaged in close collaboration with New York State education leaders, contributing to the passage of recent legislation that supports the integration of simulation in clinical nursing education. On a national level, she has made significant contributions to the advancement of DNP education, including service on the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) New Essentials Implementation Task Force.

Rotondo's expertise and leadership have been recognized through her participation as an AACN Academic Nursing Leadership Fellow and her induction as a Fellow in the National Academies of Practice. Her multifaceted career exemplifies a commitment to innovation in nursing education, the cultivation of leadership, and the advancement of the nursing profession at both institutional and national levels.


2021 Deans’ Appreciation Award, URSON (recognizing associate deans’ COVID response)
School of Nursing, 2021

Distinguished Scholar and Fellow
National Academies of Practice, 2020

Dr. Jeremy A. Klainer Endowed Dean’s Discretionary Award in Nursing to support development of Holistic Admissions review
School of Nursing, 2019

Professional Advancement Award
University of Rochester School of Nursing (URSON), 2015

Cum Laude Society, Inaugural Honorary Inductee
Arendell Parrott Academy, 2013

Founders Medal Nominee
Vanderbilt University, 2013

Clinical Excellence Award
Pennsylvania Nurses’ Association, 1986

Sigma Theta Tau Award - for academic achievement and leadership
University of Pennsylvania, 1986

Commencement Speaker
Georgetown University School of Nursing, 1981

Dean’s Citation - Awarded for outstanding contributions and leadership in academic and extracurricular activities
Georgetown University, 1981

Dean’s Medal - Awarded for highest academic average for four years
Georgetown University, 1981
Preparing for doctoral study: Making the most of the year before you begin
Podcast, companion to Preparing for doctoral study publication, 2024

Classroom of the 21st century
Kitko, L., Serwetnyk, T., & Burke, K
Webinar, Wolters Kluwer, 2024

Implementing an Integrated Health System Science Curriculum in a post BS-DNP NP Program
AACN Doctoral Education Conference, American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2023
San Diego, California

Implementing a mobile learning program to transform nursing education; The iROC initiative
Serwetnyk, T.
National Nursing School Forum, Apple Education, 2023
Cupertino, California

Educators, leaders, and nurses: Resetting relationships featuring Peter Buerhaus
Hughlett, L.,
VUSN Alumni Panel, Vanderbilt University School of Nursing (VUSN), 2022
Nashville, Tennessee

The state of DNP education in 2022 AACN report
Idzik, S., Keady, K., Kitko, L
URSON DNP Summit, University of Rochester School of Nursing, 2022
Rochester, New York

Discussion on the ra donda vaught verdict
Bezek, S., Haas, C., Leonard, M.
Webinar, URSON, 2022
Rochester, New York

Integrating digital technology in 21st century nursing education.
AACN Deans Annual Meeting (select), Apple Education/AACN, 2022
Washington, District Of Columbia

Emerging tools to develop and assess competence in DNP students
Baylor, E.
AACN Doctoral Education Conference, American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2022
virtual

Development of holistic admissions review in a DNP program guided by self-determination theory
Ciurzynski, S.
AACN Doctoral Education Conference, American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2022
virtual

iROC program: Leveraging technology to transform nursing education
Serwetnyk, T., Burke, K.
[Webinar] Apple Reimagining Nursing Education Series, to Transform Nursing Education, Apple Health Education Division. National Webinar, Apple Education, 2021

iROC program: leveraging technology to transform nursing education
Serwetnyk, T., Burke, K.
[Webinar]. Apple Reimagining Nursing Education Series, to Transform Nursing Education, Apple Health Education Division., Apple Education, 2021

The impact of COVID on nursing leadership and resilience
. Finger Lakes Organization of Nurse Executives and Leaders, NY Organization of Nurse Executives and Leaders, 2020
Rochester, New York

Holistic admissions review
Graduate Steering Committee, University of Rochester, 2020

Creating organizational synergy through A-P partnerships: Implementation of a DNP practice fellow program
Davis, K.
AACN Doctoral Education Conference, American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2020
Naples, Florida

Moving DNP scholarly projects to publication
Ciurzynski, S., Christenbery, T., Polomano, R.
AACN Doctoral Education Conference, American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2018
Naples, Florida

DNP prepared CNLs: Leveraging connections and benefiting from synergies
Olsan, T., Hurley, D., & Rosario-McCabe, L.
AACN Doctoral Education Conference, American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2017
San Diego, California

Promoting Formation of Clinical Scholars in DNP Education
AACN Doctoral Education Conference, American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2016
Naples, Florida

The Future of Nursing: Embracing our Roots, Expanding our Reach
Sigma Theta Tau, Xi Chapter, Induction Ceremony, 2015
Rochester, New York
Terhaar, M. & Rotondo, L.D. (2025). Health Care System Exemplars.. Translation of evidence into nursing and healthcare (4th.ed).

Moran, K., & Rotondo, L.D. (2024). Setting the stage for the doctor of nursing practice project. The doctor of nursing practice scholarly project: A framework for success (4th.ed)..

Conrad, D., Kesten, K., & Rotondo, L.D. (2024). Defining the doctor of nursing practice: Current trends. The doctor of nursing practice scholarly project: A framework for success (4th.ed)..

Rotondo, L.D. (2024). The Origin Story of the DNP. DNP Guidebook.

Rotondo, L.D (2024). The advocate narrative. Preparing for doctoral study: Making the most of the year before you begin.

Massaro, L.M. & Rotondo, L.D. (2024). Conceptual Models and Theoretical Frameworks. DNP Guidebook.

Rotondo, L.D. & Baylor, E. (2024). Assessment and evaluation in simulation. A Practical Guide for nurse practitioner faculty using simulation in competency-based simulation. Wolters Kluwer..

Conrad, D., Kesten, K., & Rotondo, L.D. (2024). Defining the doctor of nursing practice: Current trends. The doctor of nursing practice scholarly project: A framework for success (4th.ed).

Moran, K,m Burson, R., & Rotondo, L.D (2024). The phenomenon of interest.. The doctor of nursing practice scholarly project: A framework for success (4th.ed)..

Glassman, K., Layton, S., Mansfield, J., Rotondo L.D., Start, R., & Stoehr, A. (2022). AACN essentials faculty toolkit, Phase I Domain 7: Systems-based practice. American Association of Colleges of Nursing.. American Association of Colleges of Nursing.

Rotondo, L.D (2021). Fostering Dialogue about Practice Knowledge Development in a DNP Curriculum: Opportunity for Theory Innovation?. Nursology..

Rotondo, L.D (2018). Change theory: The underappreciated key to knowledge translation. In T. Christenbery, Evidence-based practice in nursing: Foundations, skills and roles. Springer Publishing Company..

Rotondo, L.D (2016). The clinical scholar role in doctoral advanced nursing practice, reflective response. In M. M. Dreher & M.E. Smith Glasgow, Role development for doctoral advanced nursing practice (2nd ed.). Springer Publishing Company..

Flannery, M., & Rotondo, L.D (2016). Changing practice: Frameworks for implementation science. Oncology Nursing Forum, 43 (3), 385-388.

Rotondo, L.D. (contributer) (2016). The doctor of nursing practice nurse practitioner clinical scholar [White paper].. National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF).