A Message from the DNP Program Director

The Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a practice focused doctoral degree designed to prepared advanced practice nurses in a population focus and is one of the highest level of educational preparation for nurses. The DNP is the degree of choice for those who wish to impact quality and safety in health care, influence patient care outcomes by incorporating evidence based practice into every day care and serve in leadership and executive level positions in major health care organizations to impact change. This degree focuses on the implementation of evidence from research and not on the creation of new science.  It provides the student with a framework for process improvement that will allow them to lead initiatives to improve the quality, safety and cost of care in any health care setting. In an era of health care reform and ongoing change, the DNP graduate will be prepared to navigate a new health care system with the expertise to impact care at an individual, population and global level. The College of nursing has been preparing expert professionals for over 125 years with a tradition of nursing excellence. We are dedicated to preparing leaders who will shape the health care of tomorrow.

Robin L. Bissinger, Ph.D., APRN, NNP-BC
Director of Graduate Programs