DNP Programs District of Columbia

In the rapidly changing healthcare field, education must be the motto for nurses. Nurses who pursue advanced education will gain not only knowledge but also a competitive edge. New hiring practices where more acute care hospitals are showing preference for BSN-prepared nurses have contributed to a rapid increase in the BSN workforce. Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs have also seen an increase in enrollment as more nurses are going back to school to prepare for advanced practice roles, … Read the rest

DNP Programs North Carolina

The rapidly changing healthcare landscape impacts the delivery of care in several ways. A worrying issue for health care providers is how to increase the pool of providers to meet demands – especially in the area of primary care. If you’re practicing as an advanced practice nurse, a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree can do much to enhance your career. But before you take the plunge, it is important to understand the plan of study and your career options after … Read the rest

DNP Programs Maine

Take your practice to the next level by building on your knowledge and strengthening your clinical and leadership skill through the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree program. The DNP coursework covers quality improvement, healthcare policy, patient advocacy, information systems and technology, evidence-based practice, and organizational and systems leadership that will help nurses improve patient outcomes and make a difference in the lives of patients, families, communities, and populations. The emphasis on these areas exceeds the capacity of instruction offered … Read the rest

DNP Programs Tennessee

Patients and families rely on nurses to hold their hands through tough times, simplify their decision-making, and be their advocates. In the fast-evolving world of healthcare delivery, nurses are doing more. They form the largest part of the healthcare team and can be found at the bedside or in the boardrooms influencing decisions that impact the entire healthcare system. To direct the efforts of healthcare teams, the next generation of nurses must be prepared for practice in the transformational healthcare … Read the rest

DNP Programs Kansas

New innovations in healthcare are geared towards the improvement of life expectancy and quality of life. New treatments and ways to deliver care are the result of pressures to improve quality, increase efficiency, reduce costs, and lower medical errors. The healthcare industry is right now making innovative changes to respond to the healthcare demands of retiring baby boomers and the society at large who are suffering from multiple chronic diseases. While these changes are underway, the onus is on nurses, … Read the rest

DNP Programs Idaho

If you’ve got your eyes set on a leadership role in a clinical setting, the Doctor of Nursing Practice is the degree for you. Nursing has numerous career pathways with different educational requirements, certifications, and degree of experience. The DNP is the terminal degree for the profession. It emphasizes advanced training in nursing systems, clinical practice, and organizational leadership, and depending on your chosen area of specialty, you’ll learn informatics, health care policy, and research. In a nutshell, the focus … Read the rest

DNP Programs West Virginia

You may wonder “Why do I need a DNP degree if I’m already a successful nurse?” If you want to change the direction of healthcare and build an organization from the ground up, then enrolling in the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is essential. The terminal degree produces experts who are not only prepared to translate valuable research into actionable plans in a clinical setting but also fill top-tier positions in the healthcare industry. Many nurses who complete the … Read the rest

DNP Programs South Dakota

The shortage of primary care physicians is expected to worsen in the coming decade. Increased life expectant among the current baby boomer population and greater access to healthcare coverage are just a few factors that will increase demand on the healthcare system. There is a nationwide shortage of physicians, but to date, the shortage impacts primary care more than any other specialty. According to the Annals of Family Medicine, the nation will need an additional 52,000 primary care physicians by … Read the rest

DNP Programs North Dakota

Increased access to health care coverage by almost 32 million Americans places additional strain on the overburdened primary health care workforce. The population in rural North Dakota is especially at risk as less than 10 percent of the state’s physicians live and practice in these rural counties. One major factor that contributes to the primary care shortage in rural areas is the decision by medical students to pursue specialties outside of primary care. Specialists in other areas can earn as … Read the rest

DNP Programs Hawaii

Advanced practice nurses (APNs) play a vital role in the healthcare delivery system. Nurse practitioners, a category of advanced practice nurses, account for a substantial part of the clinical workforce and up to 42% of them provide primary care. The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) are both options for a registered nurse seeking to prepare for certification as a Nurse Practitioner. Graduates fill a gap in primary care for the underserved and … Read the rest

DNP Programs Rhode Island

Constant changes in the profession of nursing call for nurse leaders who are capable of identifying problems before they emerge and make sound decisions to circumvent potential challenges. To lead healthcare organizations and draft policies that positively impact the profession, nurses must have a broad knowledge of advanced nursing practice, economics and finance, informatics, and healthcare policy.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is designed to develop nurse leaders who can meet healthcare challenges and improve patient outcomes. The … Read the rest

DNP Programs Mississippi

There are two primary doctoral degrees for nurses. The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) or the Doctor of Nursing Science (DNSc) is research-focused and prepares nurses to generate new evidence to improve the profession. The second, the Doctor of Nursing Practice, is a practice doctorate that prepares nurses to function as experts in advanced practice and lead out in the application of evidence to improve practice from a clinical, administrative, or academic point of view.

In 2004, the American Association of … Read the rest

DNP Programs Vermont

Graduate education is an investment of time and money. If you’re looking to move up the career ladder, you’ll have to decide whether to earn a master’s degree in nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). The DNP offers special benefits if your goal is to become a leader in the program – and it is a worthwhile pursuit if you can afford it. The completion time for the DNP is approximately three to four years, which is … Read the rest

DNP Programs Iowa

The aging population, wider access to health care coverage, and the prevalence of chronic illnesses add pressure on an overburdened health care system and complicate the process of finding a health care provider. Iowa, like other states, has taken steps to expand the nurse practitioner workforce since the current supply of primary care physicians has been unable to meet primary care needs. More than just boosting the volume of the workforce, the state legislated full practice authority for nurse practitioners, … Read the rest

DNP Programs Nebraska

Residents in rural Alaska don’t have access to primary care as they should. According to the Center for Health Policy at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, there are 11 rural counties that lack a primary care physician. Thanks to policy changes granting nurse practitioners the autonomy to practice, nurses can now fill the void in primary care and practice without a doctor’s oversight. The adoption of this law is a welcome relief to nurses in Nebraska with a master’s … Read the rest

DNP Programs Alaska

With a projected 60 percent increase in the 70+ population, Alaska has one of the fastest growing senior population in the nation. Physical and mental disabilities limit the activities of those 65 years and older have become complicated with the shortage of health care professionals to meet them where they are. Primary care forms the foundation of care to this and other groups, yet is the area of health care that is most affected. The rural nature of Alaska makes … Read the rest

DNP Programs Wyoming

The critical shortage of physicians in Wyoming has a crippling impact on access to medical care. The medical community has been pushing for more primary care physicians for several years now, as projections reveal a shortage of 130,000 doctors by 2025 – according to the Association of Medical Colleges. Greater access to health insurance and the growing baby boomer population that qualifies for Medicaid drive demand for services. Although the extent of the shortage is questionable, most experts can agree … Read the rest

DNP Programs Oklahoma

The flexible Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) trains working nurses to provide primary health care in medically underserved areas to relieve the burdens left by a lack of primary care physicians in these areas. The program lets nurses with a bachelor of science in nursing or a master of science in nursing prepare for an advanced practice role. As more of Oklahoma’s universities roll out the program, it is expected that rural areas will benefit from a growing presence of … Read the rest

DNP Programs Kentucky

The primary care shortage could dip to an all-time low with a deficit of up to 33,000 primary care physicians nationwide. How will those in need or urgent primary care get the treatment they need? The solution lies in nurse-managed health centers that are cropping up in areas across Kentucky. The new delivery model may not be a permanent solution for those opposed to the role of advanced practice registered nurses in primary care, but it presents a viable means … Read the rest

DNP Programs Louisiana

The changing demographics of the population, a rise in the aging baby boomer population, and an increase in the number of insured persons confirm the need for healthcare providers who are able to provide culturally sensitive, high quality, and affordable care. The supply of advanced practice registered nurses in Louisiana who can work alongside physicians and other providers will determine the state’s ability to promote health. Looming shortages in primary care, especially in rural areas, pave the way for APRNs … Read the rest

DNP Programs New Hampshire

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree was developed in response to a report from the Institute of Medicine “Crossing the Quality Chasm.” To improve the quality of care, the IOM suggested that nurse practitioners and physicians focus on teamwork, research, and technology. The DNP program aligns with recommended reform and covers the Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice as designed by the American Association of College of Nursing.

Today the DNP is offered at several universities across … Read the rest

DNP Programs Michigan

Currently, there is a no mandate for nurses to pursue the Doctor of Nursing Practice. Still, there’s a growing awareness of the benefits it offers that is leading many to enroll in the program to obtain this terminal degree. According to the American Association of the Colleges of Nursing (AACN), an overwhelming number of colleges and universities are offering the program and producing thousands of clinical experts each year. There are several reasons for the exponential growth in admissions, but … Read the rest

DNP Programs Indiana

There are two categories of doctoral programs in nursing: the practice-focused Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and the research-focused Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or the Doctor of Nursing Science degree (DNS). Both paths lead to a terminal degree that represents the highest level of education a nurse can gain. The DNP degree is the natural choice if continued clinical practice at an advanced level is in your career goals. With an emphasis on clinical practice, systems leadership, quality management, practice … Read the rest

DNP Programs Utah

The terminal DNP degree provides the ideal educational preparation for nurses to manage health care systems, assume leadership roles, advocate health care policy and practice at the advanced level according to the American Nurses Association. The curriculum equips nurses with the competencies to meet the needs of the fast-changing healthcare industry. The DNP is still a fairly new educational pathway that differs from the Ph.D. While the Ph.D. focuses on preparation for research and an educator role, the DNP prepares … Read the rest

DNP Programs Massachusetts

Almost four years of research have proven the validity of moving the current preparation for advanced nursing practice from the master’s degree to the doctorate level. In spite of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s endorsement of this move, the Massachusetts Board of Nursing maintains the master’s degree as the standard for advanced practice. Advanced practice nurses, such as nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, clinical nurse specialists, and certified registered nurse anesthetists, are registered nurses who have completed additional … Read the rest

DNP Programs Maryland

Primary care in the United States has a new face as nurse practitioners’ (NPs) assume more of a physician’s role. Over 40 percent of adults in rural areas who are suffering from one or more chronic conditions are already receiving care from registered nurses and advanced practice registered nurses. The widening gap between the demand for primary care and the availability of primary care physicians would be a lot worse if it were not for the contributions of APRNs. There’s … Read the rest

DNP Programs Pennsylvania

Advanced practice nurses, and Certified Registered Nurse Practitioners, in particular, can help the current state of primary care. The DNP degree prepares students for advanced practice and places them on a comparable level as physicians, pharmacists, and dentists who must also earn a doctorate to practice. In their preparation for advanced clinical practice, DNP graduates also have a vital role in bridging the gap between administrators and bedside nurses. Their ability to work on both fronts can help them solve … Read the rest

DNP Programs Arkansas

Nurses who hold a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) are heralded as saviors to the profession as they can help bridge the gap between nursing leaders and nurses involved in direct patient care. The clinical doctorate keeps practitioners on the frontlines of patient care, to a great degree, so they’re in touch with the challenges of inadequate staffing as it relates to patient care and safety.

For more than two decades, the master’s degree has been the standard for nurses … Read the rest

DNP Programs Oregon

Oregon’s liberal laws for advanced practice nurses, particularly nurse practitioners, enable nurses to participate in the delivery of primary care and help relieve the pressures on an overburdened system. Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) are registered nurses who have completed graduate-level study at the masters or doctorate level and national certification in a specialized area of practice. They provide effective, affordable patient care services, similar to a primary care physician, without any loss of patient satisfaction. In rural and medically … Read the rest

DNP Programs Washington

Since the implementation of the full practice for ARNPs in Washington took effect in 2009, nurses within the profession have experienced great success in delivering high quality and affordable care to populations in rural and medically underserved areas. Full-practice authority allows ARNPs to assess, diagnose, interpret diagnostic tests, and prescribe medications independently. The Institute of Medicine and the National Council for State Boards recommended full practice status in 2010 to provide patients with direct access to the full host of … Read the rest