Becky Johnson Beller

Becky Johnson Beller is a BSN to PhD student in UNMC’s College of Nursing and enrolled in a post-graduate certificate program for the family nurse practitioner track. She is a Graduate Research Assistant for Dr. Kathleen Hanna.


Current credentials and degrees: BSN, RN
Hometown: Columbus, Nebraska
Twitter handle: @BeckyBeller
Anticipated Graduation Date: December 2022
Research interest: Modifiable lifestyle behaviors to prevent and reduce the impact of cardiovascular disease


Why I chose a PhD in nursing:


After the diagnosis of my father’s colon cancer and participation in his care until his passing, the impact of we as individuals make day to day has resounded with me choices (e.g., unhealthy eating and physical inactivity). By choosing a PhD in nursing, I want to incorporate differing strategies in the clinical setting to offset cardiovascular disease.

Research/professional interests:


My primary goal is to decrease the incidence of cardiovascular disease through primary prevention strategies. My target population is adults at risk for cardiovascular disease in the rural setting. I have chosen to focus on one of the modifiable risk factors, namely, dietary intake, to achieve my research goal. Eating a healthy diet is a challenging and a worthwhile goal as it is difficult to sustain long-term.

What I like about UNMC:


I enjoy the friendship and support from colleagues and faculty at UNMC. Being a Graduate Assistant has opened the door to meeting faculty at UNMC beyond the student/professor relationship.

Professional memberships:


  • Midwest Nursing Research Society, RIIG Chair and Member
  • Nebraska Nurses Association, Member
  • American Nurses Association, Member

Three things people may not know about me:


  • I swam the 100 and 200-yard Butterfly for St. Cloud State University (Go Huskies!).
  • Following my final undergraduate nursing capstone clinical in South Africa, I bungee jumped off a bridge and went shark cage diving.
  • My husband and I have 6 children (4 girls and 2 boys).