Linda A. Merritt

Dr. Linda A. Merritt serves as an Associate Professor of Nursing at Quinnipiac University's School of Nursing, where she is certified in neonatal intensive care nursing and nursing education. Her work centers on advancing family-centered care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), with particular emphasis on supporting fathers and non-birthing partners through evidence-based interventions and policy development.

Her educational foundation includes:

• BA from the College of New Jersey
• PhD from Texas Woman's University

Dr. Merritt's research program addresses critical gaps in neonatal family support, pioneering instruments like the NICU Paternal Needs Inventory to assess and address unmet parental needs. She investigates cultural dimensions of NICU care—including experiences of Asian American parents—and develops frameworks for discharge planning and transition to home. Her expertise spans nursing education, maternal-child health, and evidence-based practice implementation, consistently promoting equitable, culturally competent care for vulnerable newborn populations and their families.

Analysis of her 2023-2026 publications reveals a strategic progression from instrument development (NICU Paternal Needs Inventory) through validation studies to comprehensive clinical resources like the Core Curriculum for Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing. This trajectory demonstrates her commitment to translating research into practical tools that address systemic gaps in family support, with increasing focus on cultural diversity and underrepresented parental experiences in neonatal care.

Her significant contributions have been recognized through:

• Induction as a Fellow of the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (FAWHONN) in 2023

Dr. Merritt actively shapes nursing practice through committee leadership in national organizations (NANN, AWHONN), journal reviewing for Advances in Neonatal Care and Neonatal Network, and mentorship in courses spanning evidence-based practice and family care. While specific grant details aren't documented, her multi-institutional research collaborations—including work with Connecticut Children's Hospital—indicate substantial research engagement with clinical and community partners.

She maintains vital community connections through volunteer work with Hand to Hold and the NICU Parent Support Network, while collaborating with interdisciplinary teams across neonatal nursing associations to advance family-centered care standards and parental support systems in critical care settings.