Michelle Ness

Associate Professor

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Contact Info

Phone:
410-704-5575
Office:
Health Professions, Room 5110P
Email:
mness@towson.edu

Education

Ph.D., University of Delaware
M.S.N., Wilmington University
M.A., University of Alabama
B.S.N., University of Delaware
A.S.N., Cecil College
B.A., Florida Atlantic University
Certified Nurse Educator

Areas of Expertise

Women's midlife health

Allostatic load

Menopausal transition

Health disparities

Precision health

Biography

Michelle Ness, PhD, MSN, RN, CNE, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Nursing at Towson University, where her research focuses on women's health during the menopausal transition, with a particular emphasis on how cumulative physiological stress shapes quality of life and health disparities in midlife women. Her work examines how this physiological burden affects quality of life across physical, psychological, and social domains during the menopausal transition.

Her current research uses the NIH All of Us Research Program, one of the largest and most racially diverse health datasets in the United States, to examine how accumulated physiological burden relates to quality of life in a nationally representative cohort of midlife women, with the goal of identifying women at elevated risk and informing targeted clinical interventions.

Dr. Ness is committed to undergraduate and graduate research training as a core part of her scholarly mission. She actively mentors students in data science, health equity research, and scientific writing, with student contributions integrated into every phase of her research program.

Prior to joining Towson, Dr. Ness conducted research on families navigating the transition to adulthood with type 1 diabetes and on healthcare providers' experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. She holds a PhD in Nursing Science from the University of Delaware, an MSN from Wilmington University, and has practiced as a registered nurse in critical care, school health, and university health settings.

Publications

  • Ness, M., & Saylor, J. (2026). Diabetes-Related Distress and Quality of Life in Mothers During the Adolescent to Young Adult Transition in Type 1 Diabetes. In press. 
  • Ness, M., & Saylor, J. (2025). The transition to adulthood and mothers鈥� quality of life: The Influence of type 1 diabetes. Families, Systems, & Health, 43(3), 456-466. 
  • Ness, M. (2024). Parent and young adult perspectives about the transition to college during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Science of Diabetes Self-Management and Care, 50(5),&苍产蝉辫;352鈥�359.&苍产蝉辫; 
  •  Sessions, L., & Ness, M. Can faculty and students benefit from ChatGPT for NCLEX preparation? (2024). Teaching and Learning in Nursing, 19(4), 356-359.   
  • Sessions, L., Ness, M., & Mark, H. (2023). Nursing faculty job satisfaction during COVID-19: A mixed methods study. Nursing Education Perspectives, 44(6), 353-358.
  • Brewer, K., Horning, M., Walker, M., & Ness, M. (2023). Analyzing the effects of family presence and visitation restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic among nurse leaders and non-nurse leaders. The Journal of Nursing Administration, 53(3).  
  • Sessions, L., Ness, M., & Mark, H. (2022). Exploring the experiences of nursing faculty during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic 鈥�  A qualitative descriptive study. Teaching and Learning in Nursing, 17(4), 477-481. 
  • Saylor, J., Yorgason, J.,Ness, M.,Millet, M.,& Jackson, A. (2022). Workplace experiences of young adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus: A qualitative approach. Emerging Adulthood, 10(1), 149-160.
  • Ness, M., Saylor, J., DiFusco, L., & Evans, K. (2021). Healthcare providers' challenges during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic: A qualitative approach. Nursing & Health Sciences, 23(2), 389鈥�397.
  • Ness, M., Saylor, J., DiFusco, L., & Evans, K. (2021). Professional quality of life and moral distress during the COVID-19 pandemic: The role of leadership. Journal of nursing management, 29(8), 2412鈥�2422.
  • Yorgason, J., Saylor, J., Ness, M., Millet, M., & Jackson, A. (2021). Health technology use and perceptions of romantic relationships by emerging adults with type 1 diabetes. Family Relations, 70(5), 1427-1434.
  • Ness, M., Saylor, J., Ji, X., Bell, A., & Habermann, B. (2020). Challenges experienced by parents of emerging young adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus during the transition to college. Diabetes Educator, 46(5), 435鈥�443.
  • Ness, M., Saylor, J., & Selekman, J. (2019). Barriers and facilitators influencing parental transition of college-bound youth with type 1 diabetes mellitus: An integrative review. Current Diabetes Reports, 19(8), 57.
  • DiGregorio, H., Graber, J., Saylor, J., & Ness, M. (2019). Assessment of interprofessional collaboration before and after a simulated disaster drill experience. Nurse Education Today, 79, 194-197.
  • Ness, M. M, Saylor, J., & Selekman, J. (2018). Maternal experiences of transitioning their emerging adult with type 1 diabetes to college. Diabetes Educator, 44(2), 178-187.
  • Saylor, J., Lee, S., Ness, M., Ambrosino, J., Ike, E., Zieglar, M., Roth, C., & Calamaro, C.J. (2018). Positive health benefits of peer support and connections for college students with type 1 diabetes. Diabetes Educator, 44(4), 340-347.
  • Saylor, J., Calamaro, C. J., Hardie, T., Ness, M. & Selekman, J. (2018). Are college students told by healthcare providers about their risk factors for developing diabetes? Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 30(7), 398-405.

Presentations

  • Ness, M. (March 2026) From achievement to adaptation: Women鈥檚 career narratives across the midlife transition. Sigma: Creating Healthy Work Environments, Washington, DC. 
  • Ness, M. (December 2025). Harnessing generative AI to design a global women鈥檚 health research study abroad experience. Poster session presented at the American Association of Colleges of Nursing-Transform 2025, Anaheim, CA.  
  • Ness, M. & Richard, L. (November 2025). Menopause and motherhood: Shaping women鈥檚 lived experiences. Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, 48th Biennial Convention, Indianapolis, IN. 
  • Ness, M. (October 2025). Relationship satisfaction and social support as protective factors against menopausal symptom burden: A correlational analysis. Late-breaking poster session presented at The Menopause Society鈥檚 2025 Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL.  
  • Ness, M. & Saylor, J. (August 2025). T1D management during the transition to adulthood: Influences on maternal quality of life. Annual Conference of the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists, Phoenix, AZ.  
  • Ness, M. & Saylor, J. (June 2025). Maternal quality of life during the transition to adulthood-A mixed methods approach. Poster session presented at the American Diabetes Association, 85th Scientific Sessions, Chicago, IL.  
  • Ness, M. & Watts, A. (May 2025). Navigating midlife: A qualitative exploration of women's experiences during the midlife transition. 15th European Congress on Menopause and Andropause, Valencia, Spain. 
  • Ness, M., & DiFusco, L. (March 2025). Healthcare providers and the lingering influence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sigma: Creating Healthy Work Environments, Phoenix, AZ. 
  • Ness, M. (March 2025). Integrating artificial intelligence in nursing education: Utilizing ChatGPT 4.0 to enhance learning experiences. Poster session presented at the National League of Nursing-Nursing Education Research Conference, Washington, DC. 
  • Ness, M., & Crusse, E. (December 2024). Integrating AACN Essentials into nursing curriculum: A collaborative approach to updating program outcomes. Poster session presented at the American Association of Colleges of Nursing-Transform 2024, New Orleans, LA.  
  •  Ness, M., & Richard, L. (August 2024). Mothers' quality of life and the transition to adulthood:  The influence of support and diabetes distress. Late breaking poster session presented at the Annual Conference of the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists, New Orleans, LA.  
  •  Ness, M. & Saylor, J. (June 2024). 鈥淚鈥檝e tried really hard to back off, but鈥︹��-The influence of T1D on mothers鈥� quality of life during the transition to adulthood. Late breaking poster session presented at the American Diabetes Association, 84th Scientific Sessions, Orlando, FL. 
  •  Sessions, L., Ness, M., Mark, H. & Yang, B. K. (March 2024). Nursing faculty job satisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic: A mixed-methods study. Sigma: Creating Healthy Work Environments, Washington, D.C.  
  • Sessions, L., Ness, M., & Mark, H. (March 2023). Nursing faculty job satisfaction during COVID-19: A mixed methods study. National League of Nursing-Nursing Education Research Conference, Washington, DC. 
  • Ness, M., Sessions, L., & Mark, H. (March 2023). Exploring the experiences of nursing faculty during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic 鈥� A qualitative descriptive study. National League of Nursing-Nursing Education Research Conference, Washington, DC.
  • Ness, M. (August 2022). Parental support needs during their emerging adult鈥檚 transition to adulthood with type 1 diabetes. Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists, Annual Conference, Baltimore, MD.  
  • Ness, M. (August 2022). Professional quality of life and moral distress in healthcare providers during COVID-19-A longitudinal study. Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, 33rd International Nursing Research Congress, Edinburgh, Scotland. 
  •  Ness, M. (August 2021). The transition to college with type 1 diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic: The parent perspective. Poster session presented at the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists Annual Conference, Virtual.  
  •  Ness, M. (February 2026) The Intersection of Mothering and Menopause: A Correlation Study. Southern Nursing Research Society 40th Annual Conference, Austin, TX. 
  • Ness, M. (October 2022). Type 1 diabetes and the transition to college during the COVID-19 pandemic: Parent and emerging adult perspectives. Poster session presented at the 2nd Annual 撸先生 MultiFACETed Research Conference, Towson, MD. 
  • Ness. M. (October 2021). Challenges experienced by parents during their emerging adult's  transition to college with type 1 diabetes mellitus. First Annual FACET Research Conference, Towson University, Towson, MD. 
  • Ness, M., Saylor, J., DiFusco, L., & Evans, K. (2021, February 18-20). Healthcare providers' challenges during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic: A qualitative approach. Sigma Theta Tau International Society of Nursing, Creating Healthy Work Environments, Austin, TX, United States.
  • Ness, M. & Saylor, J. (2019, November 16-20). A scoping review: parental readiness to transition a college-bound emerging adult with type 1 diabetes [Podium presentation]. Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing 45th Biennial Convention, Washington, DC, United States.
  • DiGregorio, H., Graber, J., Ness, M., & Saylor, J. (2019, November 16-20). Assessment of interprofessional collaboration before and after a disaster drill experience [Poster]. Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing 45th Biennial Convention, Washington, DC, United States.
  • Saylor, J., Yorgason, J., Millet, M., Jackson, A., Ness, M., & Floreen Sabino, A. (2019, June 7-11). Experiences of young professionals with type 1 diabetes launching into the workplace [Poster]. American Diabetes Association 79th Scientific Sessions, San Francisco, CA, United States.
  • DiGregorio, H., Cavliere, P., & Ness, M. (2018). An interdisciplinary approach to disaster preparedness [Podium presentation]. Chesapeake Consortium, Region 12, Sigma Theta Tau International and Washington Regional Nursing Research Consortium, Washington, DC, United States.
  • Saylor, J., Calamaro, C. J., & Ness, M. (2018, May 29-June 2). The effect of sleep on diabetes management among college students with type 1 diabetes [Podium presentation]. American College Health Association Annual Meeting, Washington, DC, United States.
  • Ness, M. (2018, April 20). Perspectives of transitioning of transitioning high school seniors with type 1 diabetes to college [Poster]. 8th Annual Graduate Students鈥� Forum, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States.
  •  Ness, M. (2018, April 11-13). Maternal experiences of transitioning their emerging adult with type 1 diabetes to college [Poster]. 30th Annual Scientific Sessions, Eastern Nursing Research Society, Newark, NJ, United States.
  • Ness, M. (2018, June 28-July 3). Type 2 diabetes in school aged children: What school nurses need to know. [Poster]. National Association of School Nurses, 50th Annual Conference, Baltimore, MD, United States.
  • Saylor, J., Lee, S., Ness, M., Ambrosino, J., Ike, E., Zieglar, M., Roth, C., & Calamaro, C. J. (2018, June 22-26). Positive health benefits of peer support and connections for college students with type 1 diabetes [Poster]. American Diabetes Association 78th Scientific Sessions, Orlando, FL, United States.

Honors and Awards

Kahlert Simulation Fellow, College of Health Professions, Towson University 

Professional Service

  • Global Qualitative Nursing Research, Editorial Review Board: 2024-present 
  • National Institutes of Health, Early Career Reviewer Program: 2024-present 
  • Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Evaluator: 2025-present
  • National League for Nursing, Assessment Services Committee Member: 2025-present 
  • First-Year Experience Advisor, Towson University
  • Summer Undergraduate Research Institute (SURI) Mentor, College of Health Professions, Towson University
  • Towson Inquiry Grants for Undergraduate Research in the Summer (TIGURS) Mentor, Towson University