Dr. Paula Tucker is a board-certified Family and Emergency Nurse Practitioner with a career in nursing education and emergency care. She joined the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing in 2015 as a Clinical Instructor and is currently a Clinical Associate Professor and the Specialty Director for the Emergency Nurse Practitioner Program.

Dr. Tucker earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from the Georgia Baptist College of Nursing at Mercer University, her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from Emory University, her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from Vanderbilt University, and her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing from Emory University in 2024. She also completed a prestigious post-doctoral fellowship with the Atlanta VA Medical Center as part of the Quality Scholars Fellowship Program.

In addition to her academic roles, Dr. Tucker is an advanced practice provider in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the Grady Emergency Care Center. She actively contributes to the advancement of her profession through leadership roles in the American Academy of Emergency Nurse Practitioners (AAENP) and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).

Dr. Tucker’s research focus involves traumatic brain injury and implementation science in emergency care settings.

2023 - Nurses Educational Funds/Johnson & Johnson Health Equity Scholar

2020 - Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (FAANP)

2019 - High Five Teaching Award, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing

2003 - Piedmont Hospital Community Health Award