UR School of Nursing First in NY to Offer New Entry Point for DNP Program
By Nora Williamson
Wednesday, July 31, 2024
The University of Rochester School of Nursing is the first school in New York State to offer a new entry point for its Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program, reinforcing its leadership in DNP education. This new entry point allows master’s-prepared nurses from diverse specialties, including APRN roles (NP, CNM, CNS, CRNA) as well as healthcare leadership, nursing administration, clinical nurse leader, nursing education, informatics, and other specialties, to pursue a terminal practice degree in nursing.
"We are thrilled to be the first school in New York State to offer this new entry point for our DNP program," said Dean Lisa Kitko, PhD, RN, FAHA, FAAN. "This expansion represents a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to addressing healthcare delivery and outcomes nationwide. Now we can more readily prepare nursing leaders who can drive innovation and improvement in healthcare.”
The UR School of Nursing can now accept both APRN and non-APRN prepared students directly into its post-master’s DNP program, a nationally recognized online program which prepares nurses for advanced practice and leadership roles. This enables master’s-prepared nurses in both direct and indirect care roles to pursue a post-master’s DNP, building on their master’s education and professional expertise.
Post-master’s DNP programs have existed nationwide since the inception of DNP education almost 20 years ago, and this new pathway marks a significant advancement for New York State.
“For nearly two decades, we have been leaders in DNP education, and this new pathway will allow us to further support master’s-prepared nurses from diverse specialties in achieving their terminal degree,” said Lydia Rotondo, DNP, RN, CNS, FNAP, senior associate dean for graduate education and innovation and program director for the School’s DNP program.
“This is not just about adding another program; it's about transforming healthcare delivery and outcomes by empowering nurses with the advanced competencies to lead and innovate in today's complex healthcare environment."
The DNP program at the UR School of Nursing launched in 2007 and features 39-credits of online coursework. Students can continue to work full-time while completing coursework in clinical scholarship, evidence-based practice, quality improvement, informatics, clinical data management, leadership and interprofessional collaboration healthcare finance, and health policy, culminating in a scholarly project to optimize healthcare delivery and outcomes.
Increasing the number of DNP-prepared nurses addresses critical nursing shortages and supports the need for nursing leaders and faculty. DNP graduates lead healthcare transformation, design new models of delivery, and develop evidence-based interventions. DNP graduates working within the URMC health system also enhance the University of Rochester's research mission through interdisciplinary practice inquiry and implementation projects.
Learn more about the DNP Program
Prospective students can learn more about the DNP program and how to apply on the School of Nursing’s DNP program page. Applications for the new entry point will begin to be accepted by Jan. 15 for the Summer 2025 semester. Thereafter, applications will be accepted every semester.
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Categories: DNP, Nursing Education
