Princess College of Nursing Sciences
Dr. Princess Ngozi Duru, DNP, MSN-ED, RN is an accomplished and astute leader with over 30 years of experience in
the nursing profession. As a dedicated health care professional, she has provided vision, integrity,
and drive within the health sector. Pragmatically, she is propelled by the vision and mission to
expand and advance access to quality nursing education.
As an American and Nigerian trained health care professional and nurse educator, Dr. Princess has
brought about a significant innovation and contribution to nursing career both locally and
internationally. Her ability to pioneer innovative pathways for entering the nursing profession has
distinguished her from her colleagues in the field.
Dr. Princess’ nursing career and particularly in nursing education began after she obtained her General Nursing Certificate (RN) from Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN)upon completion of her Nursing Education in 1993 at School of Nursing Owerri, Imo State Nigeria. Thereafter, in 1995 she also obtained her Midwifery Certificate (RM) from (NMCN) upon completion of her Midwifery Education from School of Midwifery Aba, Abia State Nigeria. Then from 1995-1997 she worked as a staff Nurse Midwife at Abia State University Teaching Hospital Aba.
Just five years (1998) into the nursing profession, she became a faculty member at School of Nursing Aba, which is an affiliate of Abia State University Teaching Hospital Aba, Nigeria. Given her burning desire and passion to advance in the nursing profession, particularly nursing education, she within this period combined her role as a nurse educator with studies in Bachelor of Science in Nursing(BSN) at the University of Calabar, Nigeria where she graduated in 2002. As a Registered Nurse- Midwife, she equally held some leadership positions in the Labour and Delivery floor of the teaching hospital.
Dr. Princess Ngozi Duru remained in the above positions until 2004. After a successful and a meritorious seven years of professional nursing career and service at the School of Nursing Aba, and Abia State Teaching Hospital Aba, Dr. Princess relocated to the United States of America in 2004 to continue her nursing profession as well as her advanced studies in nursing education.
In 2005, after receiving her certification as a Registered Nurse from California Board of Nursing, Dr. Princess Ngozi Duru joined Centinela Hospital Inglewood, California and worked in different units including; Labour and Delivery- Postpartum, Med/Surg Floor/Telemetry.
Then, in 2007 she worked briefly at Los Angeles County Hospital as a traveler nurse. She also worked as a registry staff at both St Francis Medical Center Lynwood and Lakewood Regional Los Angeles. From 2008 to 2010, Dr. Princess worked at Suburban Medical Center Paramount, California. She severally held the position of a Charge Nurse in this facility. During this period ( 2009), she became a BSN Clinical preceptor for Indiana state University on the Medical/Surgery/ Telemetry floor of the Suburban Medical Center Paramount.
Dr. Princess Ngozi Duru is highly passionate and highly driven when it comes to nursing education. This informed her decision to pursue higher degree in Nursing Education. Thus in 2010, she obtained her Master of Science in Nursing degree with specialization in Nursing/Health Care Education (MSN/ED) from the University of Phoenix, Southern California. This academic venture ushered in her second phase of nursing career as a faculty member. From 2010 to 2011, she was employed as a faculty member at Casa Loma College of Nursing Los Angeles, California.
The above experiences and educational achievements made Dr. Princess an authority in her chosen profession.“ With her wealth of experience both in clinical nurse practice and nursing education, and being a trail blazer and an innovator, she made a proposal to the then Imo State Government for the establishment of a government run College of Nursing in 2012. After two years of planning and execution, Imo State College of Nursing Sciences Orlu was established, approved and accredited for training of nurses in 2014. Hence, Dr. Princess Ngozi Duru was appointed as the first Acting Provost. Before this time she was already serving as the Acting Provost of Imo State College of Health Technology, Amaigbo. The project of establishing this brand new college was single handedly driven, executed and completed by Dr Princess Ngozi Duru. This new College was the first College of Nursing to be established in Nigeria. Before this time, what existed was Departments of Nursing Science in Universities, and Schools of Nursing. Dr. Princess Ngozi Duru concurrently headed both institutions until 2015 when each college became independent. After her confirmation as the Substantive Provost she remained in this position until 2017. ” ”
In 2018, she returned to the United States to work briefly for Los Angeles Unified School District as a School Nurse. Then in 2019 and at the instance of Imo State Government, she was reappointed as the substantive Provost of Imo State College of Nursing, Orlu. A position she held until 2021.
Dr. Princess Ngozi Duru’s tenure as the Provost of the College brought about a tremendous growth and achievement in more ways than one. First, it was through her doggedness that the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria approved an increase in the admission quota from 50 to 100 students yearly. Also, it was during her tenure that the College received approval from the Council for two midstream admissions in May and November every year. All of these achievements are in addition to so many academic and infrastructural giant strides recorded during her tenure. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, Dr. Princess innovatively and successfully migrated her students from in-person class to online class. Interestingly, despite the challenges of the pandemic and per the rating of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, the students scored 100% in their academic record in that year.
In 2021, Dr. Princess Ngozi Duru with the most sedulous determination made the bold move of founding and establishing a private College of Nursing. Thus, Princess College of Nursing Sciences Mgbirichi, Imo State, having met all the pre-approval requirements for establishing a College of Nursing Science was formally accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council to commence training of nurses starting from November/ December 2021 academic year. With state-of -the-art facilities and a well-conceived academic programs and goals, seasoned faculty and staff, Princess College has continued to grow in leaps and bounds with laudable academic records and achievements. It has now become a top-rated College of Nursing in the region and its environs. Currently, Dr. Princess doubles as the founder and the Provost of the College.
Dr. Princess Ngozi Duru’s insatiable appetite for education led her to enroll in a doctorate degree program at American Sentinel Post University in Waterbury Connecticut, USA. Thus in May 2024, Dr. Princess Ngozi Duru graduated from Post University with a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree specializing in Educational Leadership. It is remarkable that she accomplished this feat while still running the affairs of Princess College of Nursing Sciences as the Chief Executive Officer.
In addition to receiving her license as a Registered Nurse both in Nigeria and in the United states, Dr. Princess Ngozi Duru has also received a number of certifications. These include: Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)Basic Life Support (BLS) and Registered Nurse Educator(RNE). Dr. Princess Ngozi Duru has held numerous prestigious positions including membership into the Board of Trustee Association of Provost Colleges of Health Sciences Nigeria. She also served as Treasurer for the Association of Provosts of Colleges of Health Sciences and Technology in Nigeria. For leisure, Princess likes to read, travel, dance and sing.
