Dr. Katherine Ladetto is a dually certified adult and gerontological nurse practitioner. Her extensive career includes many different healthcare settings. For the past 15 years, her devotion is to long-term care, including nursing homes, assisted living, and independent living settings. Her passion is to improve nursing home staff and resident outcomes. Her excellence in clinical care and research pairs nicely with her desire to teach nursing students.
Dr. Ladetto is active in state, national, and international professional organizations. She was appointed and currently serves on the Massachusetts Assisted Living Residences Commission and New England Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association Director-At-Large. Dr. Ladetto was selected for the Gerontological Society of America Tenure Track Mentoring Program and Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association Leadership Institute Fellowship. She was selected as co-chair of the scholarship committee for the International Association for Human Caring. Dr. Ladetto is also engaged in the Caring Science International Collaborative, ASCEND Community of Practice, and Pedagogical Partnerships Community of Practice. She was a proud mentor in the Summer Undergraduate Research Program at Simmons (SURPASs).
Education
Boston College, PhD in Nursing
Boston College, MSN, with distinction
Boston College, BSN, summa cum laude
Courses
Pre-licensure program, Pharmacology, Medical Surgical Nursing I and 2, Professional Nursing Concepts, Nursing Theory & Evidence Based Practice
Area of Expertise
Adult Health, Gerontological Health
Community Engagement
Massachusetts Assisted Living Residences Commission
Licenses/Certifications
Dually certified adult and gerontological nurse practitioner in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, registered nurse in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Ireland, Therapeutic Touch
Professional Affiliations & Memberships
- Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association
- New England GAPNA
- Gerontological Society of America
- International Association for Human Caring
- Eastern Nursing Research Society
- Caring Science International Collaboration
- Aging Society of America
- Massachusetts Coalition of Nurse Practitioners
Research and/or Special Projects
Nursing home workforce, Caring Science
Publications
Ladetto, K. A. (2024). Multilevel factors associated with intent to leave in U. S. nursing home nurses, (Order No. 31770763) [Doctoral dissertation, Boston College]. ProQuest Dissertations & Thesis Global (3158288327).
Ladetto, K. (2023). Predictors of nurse intent to leave among long-term care nurses in the U.S. nursing population. Nursing Research, 72(3), E84
Presentations
- Ladetto, K. (2024). Role of professional fulfillment on nursing home nurse intent to stay. 45th Annual International Association for Human Caring Conference: Gathering Anew in Community: Celebrating Innovations in Caring Science
- Ladetto, K. (2023). Multilevel factors associated with intent to stay in US nursing home nurses. Invited presentation Trinity College Dublin, Ireland-Boston College PhD Research Blitz, 12/13/23.
- Ladetto, K. (2023). Predictors of nurse intent to leave among long-term care nurses in the U.S. nursing population. Invited presentation at Eastern Nursing Research Society Annual Conference 2023.
- Ladetto, K. (2023). Who will take care of Grandma? Multilevel factors affecting intent to stay in U.S. nursing home nurses. Invited presentation at the Boston College Connell School of Nursing PhD Scholarship Day.
- Ladetto, K. (2022). A memoir of a PhD student journey: Fairy-tale, mystery, thriller, or graphic novel? Invited presentation at the Boston College Connell School of Nursing PhD Scholarship Day
Awards
- 2025 Boston College PhD Dissertation Award
- 2025 Boston College PhD Connell Award Nominee
- The International Association for Human Caring Lynne Wagner and Watson Student Awards
- Sigma Theta Tau Alpha Chi Chapter Mary Pekarski Memorial Award
- Eastern Nursing Research Association Student Conference Scholarship
- Gerontology Society of America Carol Schutz Student Travel Award
- Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association Foundation Research Award
- New England Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association Scholarship
- Boston College Graduate Student Association Research grants
- Boston College Connell School of Nursing PhD fellow scholarship.
Katherine Ladetto in the News
Simmons School of Nursing Welcomes New Faculty
Simmons University’s School of Nursing welcomed two new faculty members this Fall, with expertise in clinical simulation and gerontology.
Shout-outs from Students and Alums
Congratulations to the 2025 SURPASs Scholars
Eight undergraduate scholars from disciplines across Simmons have been selected to join the Summer Undergraduate Research Program at Simmons (SURPASs). SURPASs students receive the necessary funding and mentorship to execute an independent research project of their own design.