MSJ MSN graduate and current DNP student brings nursing leadership, mentorship, and a commitment to professional growth to Cincinnati Children’s Fetal Care Center.
Elizabeth “Liz” Kiphart has built her nursing career around providing compassionate care, supporting fellow nurses, and advancing specialized maternal and fetal care. A graduate of Mount St. Joseph University’s Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program and current Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) student, Elizabeth has grown into a leadership role at Cincinnati Children’s Fetal Care Center, where she helps coordinate highly specialized care for mothers and their unborn babies.
Elizabeth was part of the pioneering team that helped establish the Fetal Care Center partnership between TriHealth and Cincinnati Children’s. Drawing on her previous experience as a labor and delivery nurse, she helped train nurses in maternal care as the center developed its services. Today, she serves as a charge nurse in the specialty care unit, coordinating complex deliveries, fetal procedures and care for families navigating high-risk pregnancies.
In this Q&A, Elizabeth shares how her experiences at the Mount shaped her nursing career, strengthened her leadership skills and inspired her continued commitment to improving patient care and supporting the next generation of nurses.
Q&A with Elizabeth Kiphart
What initially inspired you to pursue a career in nursing, and what led you to Mount St. Joseph University for your graduate education?
My decision to pursue nursing was inspired by the nurses who cared for me during the births of my two children. Their compassion, expertise and support left a lasting impression on me and inspired me to become a Labor and Delivery nurse myself.
I chose Mount St. Joseph University because of its welcoming, close-knit community. The faculty genuinely care about their students and are invested in their success, creating an environment where students feel supported throughout their educational journey. That personal connection made the Mount an ideal place for me to continue my education.
How did your experience in MSJ’s MSN program prepare you for your current role at Cincinnati Children’s Fetal Care Center?
The MSN program strengthened my leadership skills and helped me recognize the important role nurses play in supporting one another's professional development. I have applied what I learned by encouraging my colleagues to pursue growth opportunities, expand their knowledge and continue developing their nursing careers. The program helped me grow not only as a nurse, but also as a leader who can positively influence the people around me.
What motivated you to continue your education by pursuing your Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) at the Mount?
My positive experience in the MSN program motivated me to continue my education at the Mount. The program challenged me to grow professionally while providing the support and encouragement I needed to succeed. Dr. Deza, the MSN/DNP program director, was particularly inspiring and encouraging throughout my decision to continue on. Her support reinforced my desire to build upon what I had learned in the MSN program and pursue the highest level of nursing education. Continuing into the DNP program felt like a natural next step in my commitment to lifelong learning and nursing leadership.
Can you describe your role at the Fetal Care Center and what a typical day looks like for you?
I serve as a charge nurse in the specialty care unit at Cincinnati Children’s Fetal Care Center, where we care for mothers experiencing high-risk labor and delivery involving the most critically ill newborns. Our team also performs life-saving fetal surgeries before birth, providing highly specialized care to babies who have not yet entered the world.
Each day brings unique challenges and requires close coordination, critical thinking and precision to balance complex deliveries, fetal procedures and the needs of our patients and families. No two days are alike! I often describe my role as being the chaos coordinator, ensuring that our team delivers safe, compassionate and exceptional care.
Can you tell us about your MSN project, the problem it was designed to address, and why this work is important to maternal and fetal care?
My MSN project focused on improving nurses’ preparedness and confidence in resuscitating critically ill newborns immediately after delivery. In our highly specialized setting, responding quickly and effectively can be lifesaving.
To address this need, I implemented a three-part educational initiative that included a scavenger hunt to familiarize nurses with the location of resuscitation supplies, an equipment competency checklist to build confidence in using the necessary equipment, and simulation exercises to practice responding to neonatal resuscitation. This approach provided nurses with hands-on learning opportunities and a structured way to strengthen their knowledge, skills and readiness to respond during critical situations.
What are your future goals for your DNP project and your career in nursing leadership?
My DNP project focuses on improving nurse retention within our highly specialized unit by creating a supportive environment where nurses feel valued, heard and empowered to contribute to decisions that affect their practice. I am working to establish a Professional Governance Council that will promote shared decision-making, encourage professional growth and give nurses a meaningful voice in shaping their work environment.
My long-term goal is to continue growing as a nursing leader who advocates for nurses, supports professional development and helps create a workplace where nurses feel engaged and motivated. I also believe in giving back to the nursing profession by sharing my knowledge and experience to support the next generation of nurses through education and mentorship, so I hope to add “professor” to my title one day!
Through her continued education and leadership at Cincinnati Children’s Fetal Care Center, Elizabeth demonstrates how the Mount’s graduate nursing programs can help prepare nurses to advance their careers, strengthen their teams, and make a meaningful difference in patient care.
