Tara Stoudt Appointed Director of Master’s Entry-into-Nursing Program

Baltimore, Md. — The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) has appointed Tara Stoudt, DNP '25, MS '08, NNP-BC, RNC-NIC, assistant professor, as the director of the Master of Science in Nursing Entry-into-Nursing (MSN-E) program. 

In this role, she provides primary support for students and faculty in the MSN Entry-into-Nursing (MSN-E) program and works closely with the directors of UMSON’s other master’s specialties to ensure alignment among the programs.

“Tara is an exceptional fit to lead the MSN-E program,” said Lori Edwards, DrPH, BSN '80, RN, PCH-CNS, BC, FAAN, associate professor and associate dean for the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program. “As an alumna of the program, she brings a unique insider’s perspective and a deep appreciation for the value and meaning of this graduate pathway into the nursing profession. Her expertise, collaborative spirit, and can-do attitude are highly valued by the MSN-E faculty, a dedicated team of expert educators committed to student success.” 

UMSON launched its MSN-E program in 2024 after offering a top-ranked Master of Science in Nursing Clinical Nurse Leader option, also a direct-entry nursing master’s program, for nearly 20 years; UMSON was the first in the state to offer such a program. 

The two-year, in-person, full-time MSN-E program is designed for those with bachelor’s degrees in fields other than nursing who are interested in changing patient care, improving patient outcomes, and leading health care teams, positioning nurses to grow in their careers. It also teaches students how to engage in self-care practices, incorporating self-reflection and feedback from others, to promote personal and professional resilience and well-being.

Stoudt brings extensive experience in nursing education and clinical practice to the position. She has taught in both the Clinical Nurse Leader and MSN-E programs and previously served as interim director of the Clinical Nurse Leader option from 2021 - 22. She stepped down from that role to complete her doctoral studies.

Her career in nursing has been shaped by a deep commitment to caring for patients and families, supporting nurses, and helping students discover their own place in the profession.

She has worked in neonatal intensive care units for 16 years, including as a clinical nurse II at the University of Maryland Medical Center and as the unit educator at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center. Stoudt joined UMSON in 2019 as a clinical instructor and was promoted to assistant professor in 2025 following completion of her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree.

In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Stoudt currently serves on UMSON’s MSN Judicial Board and on the School’s Wellness Committee and as a faculty advisor to the Graduate Nursing Association. She is a former member of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) Clinical Education and Professional Development Council and the UMMS and UMSON Academy of Clinical Essentials (ACE) Development Group, which launched the collaborative ACE initiative to enhance nursing student education and preparation for nursing practice.

Stoudt earned her DNP and master’s degrees from UMSON. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from the University of Maryland, College Park. She is board certified as a neonatal nurse practitioner and certified in neonatal intensive care nursing.

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The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,100 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.