SBU launches first Doctor of Nursing Practice Program
SBU LAUNCHES FIRST DOCTOR OF NURSING PRACTICE PROGRAM ON LONG ISLAND
STONY BROOK, N.Y., June 17, 2008 – The Stony Brook University School of Nursing launched its Doctor of Nursing Practice
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| Assembed are Stony Brook University School of Nursing faculty, staff, and the 34 students enrolled in the new Doctor of Nursing Practice Program |
Program (DNP), a clinical education program for nurse practitioners intended to broaden the clinical capacity of nurses and enhance patient care. The program is the first of its kind for the State University of New York education system and the first on Long Island. On June 2, the 34 enrolled students began the program and celebrated with SBU School of Nursing administration and staff.
According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), there are more than 70 DNP programs nationwide and approximately 140 others in consideration or development. The movement has yet to have a measurable impact on healthcare, but graduates of DNP programs are expected help fill the void of nursing shortages nationwide by developing new and innovative clinical nursing roles, as well as by filling vacancies in teaching and administration of patient care services.
“The DNP is a great opportunity for our nurses and others in the region enrolled to bring their skills and abilities in caring for patients to an even higher level,” said Lenora J. McClean, EdD, RN, Dean, SBU School of Nursing. “A central component to the two-year program is students undertaking clinical projects designed to improve the delivery and outcomes of healthcare for specific populations of interest,” she added.
During the program kickoff, some of the new doctoral nursing students described their special clinical interests and pending projects. The clinical topics varied greatly, ranging from assessing the delivery of neonatal care, to finding ways to improving healthcare in underserved communities, to assessing and improving end-of-life care for terminally ill patients.
According to Dean McClean, the DNP curriculum developed through the collaboration of several specialty organizations, the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties, and the AACN include topics in epidemiology, genomics, leadership and organizational change, global health issues, ethics, management concepts, and clinical work with populations at risk.
A doctoral nursing degree places nurses on a higher level for clinical care. In certain instances, the degree may enable nurses to have more autonomy in shaping how patient care services are developed and conducted.
Approximately 200 applied for SBU’s DNP. Among the 34 students enrolled, most are nurses at Stony Brook University Medical Center and other Long Island hospitals and medical practices. The first class is expected to graduate in December 2009.
