At George Washington University School of Nursing (GW Nursing), Assistant Professor Billy Mullins, DNP, RN, NE-BC, is driving meaningful change in patient care and nursing workforce development. A leader in integrating mental and physical health care and a champion for diversity in the nursing profession, Mullins is shaping the future of nursing education and practice.
Early in his career, Mullins identified a critical gap in the way hospitals care for patients with both medical and behavioral health needs. An organizational review revealed that patients with behavioral health comorbidities faced significantly longer hospital stays. Recognizing the need for a new approach, Mullins led efforts to create a specialized medical-psychiatric inpatient unit.
“A literature review showed a gap in research about best practices for these patients," he explained. "Working with nursing and medical leadership, we developed a holistic care model to provide medical and behavioral health care simultaneously." The leadership structure, comprising a nursing director (Mullins), a medical director, and a psychiatric director, ensured collaborative, patient-centered care focusing on the whole person. This initiative not only improved patient outcomes but also paved the way for future innovations in integrated care.
Beyond clinical practice, Mullins is equally committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for men in nursing. Under his leadership, GW Nursing has been recognized as a Best School for Men in Nursing for two consecutive years. While he humbly notes that he has not influenced the higher percentage of male students at GW Nursing, he remains a strong advocate for men in the profession.
"My goal as a male faculty member is to mentor and highlight the positive impact men can have in nursing," he said. His work aligns with the mission of the American Association of Men in Nursing (AAMN): to promote men in the nursing profession and advance men’s health.
Mullins’ scholarship now focuses heavily on the nursing workforce, particularly increasing gender diversity. He believes that nursing’s history is rich with contributions from men, a fact often overlooked in modern perceptions. “Nursing continues to be seen as a female profession,” he said. “We have much work to do to enhance nursing’s image as an inclusive career for anyone passionate about caring for others.” Through his research, Mullins aims to highlight these contributions and encourage a more inclusive view of the profession.
His leadership style is heavily influenced by his background as a Navy corpsman and a nurse executive. “In the Navy, we were taught ‘see one, do one, teach one.’ That has been my guiding principle ever since," he said. Mentorship has been central to his professional development, and he is passionate about paying that mentorship forward to the next generation of nurses.
Recently, Mullins received the American Association for Men in Nursing’s DAISY Health Equity Award, a prestigious recognition of his efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in nursing. Looking ahead, he remains focused on advancing health equity and workforce development.
"My goal is to highlight the numerous contributions men have made to nursing through my scholarship," he said. "By doing so, I hope to help foster a stronger, more inclusive nursing workforce."
With his commitment to holistic care, advocacy for workforce diversity, and dedication to mentorship. Assistant Professor Billy Mullins continues to leave a lasting impact on GW Nursing and the broader nursing profession.