New York University College of Nursing is proud to announce the opening of our Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program that responds to the growing complexity of health care delivery systems, increasing educational challenges for advanced practice nurses, and burgeoning demand for clinical leaders.
New York University College of Nursing is proud to announce the opening of our Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program that responds to the growing complexity of health care delivery systems, increasing educational challenges for advanced practice nurses, and burgeoning demand for clinical leaders.
The DNP, the highest level of academic preparation for practicing nurses, is nursing’s equivalent to professional doctorates in other disciplines such as medicine (MD), dentistry (DDS or DMD), pharmacy (PharmD), physical therapy (DPT), audiology (DA), or psychology (PsyD). The DNP will position nurse practitioners and nurse-midwives to assume leadership positions in health care organizations and become clinical faculty in nursing education programs.
Unlike the PhD, the DNP program is not designed to prepare graduates to design and build programs of research. Rather, it is designed to prepare practice scholars for advanced practice in a specialty area to be leaders who translate evidence-based knowledge into clinical practice, have a significant impact on health outcomes, and strengthen system level health care processes. DNP graduates are prepared to deliver direct patient care, influence health policy, promote patient safety, resolve health care dilemmas, lead interdisciplinary health teams, and reduce disparities in health care.
“As an enterprise university, NYU is known for innovation and advancement of contemporary ideas,” Dean Terry Fulmer said. “NYU Nursing has a long history of cutting edge graduate programs that prepare outstanding advanced practice nurses who can meet nursing’s social contract with the public. We have an enormous opportunity to improve the quality and safety of patient care.”
The launch of NYU Nursing’s new DNP program is of particular importance in light of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s recommendation that the educational preparation for all advanced practice nurses transition from a master’s degree to the DNP by 2015. At NYUCN, the DNP program will be initially offered as a 40 credit post-master’s option in a convenient, executive-style format designed for busy working nurse practitioners and nurse-midwives. The program can be completed in five semesters (two years) of full-time studies that include on-site classes coupled with on-line and virtual learning experiences.
The first DNP cohort will enroll in the spring 2010 semester. Thereafter, one cohort a year will enroll each fall. A post-baccalaureate option is planned for the future.
“The advanced-practice role of the nurse practitioner and nurse-midwife has traditionally focused on providing patient-centered care to individuals,” said Judith Haber, associate dean for graduate programs. “For the past 50 years, this role has been vitally important in meeting the primary and specialty care needs of individuals and families across the life cycle. The DNP offers an exciting opportunity for advanced practice nurses to conceptualize anew their role as clinical practice scholars and leaders who lead the delivery and evaluation of evidence-based, population-focused, patient centered care.”
Questions about the DNP program? Contact Vida Samuels, assistant director of graduate admissions (vs30@nyu.edu) at the NYU College of Nursing Admissions Office (212) 992-9418.