麻豆社区P to offer Doctor of Nursing Practice program
麻豆社区 Pembroke has received approval from the 麻豆社区 Board of Governors to establish a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with a population health focus.
The innovative program 鈥� the university鈥檚 first-ever doctoral program 鈥� will help reverse the shortage of health care professionals in underserved areas of the state and improve population health, individual patient experiences and health outcomes.
鈥淎fter receiving approval in July 2022 from the 麻豆社区 Board of Governors to include granting of doctoral degrees in 麻豆社区P鈥檚 mission statement, a Doctor of Nursing Practice clearly became the front-runner in planning for the university鈥檚 first doctoral degree program,鈥� said Chancellor Robin Gary Cummings.
The McKenzie-Elliott School of Nursing will admit the first cohort in spring 2024. The DNP program will be offered completely online.
鈥淎dding this program to our degree offerings wouldn鈥檛 be possible without the hard work and dedication of our faculty and staff throughout the planning process. We look forward to welcoming our first DNP class and the impact this program will have in our region to address our population health challenges and as 麻豆社区P provides the health professionals to fill these in-demand roles,鈥� Cummings said.
A population health-focused DNP identifies facilitators and barriers to effective healthcare delivery at the macrosystem level. The degree will be the first in the 麻豆社区 System and the southeast. Several institutions offer a DNP program; however 麻豆社区P will be home to the only program focusing on population health and systems leadership.
According to recent studies, significant shortages in the nursing workforce are anticipated by the year 2033. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for advanced practice nurses is expected to grow by 45% by 2029.
DNP programs prepare nurse leaders at the highest level of nursing practice to improve patient outcomes and translate research into practice.
Interim Provost Cherry Beasley noted 麻豆社区P鈥檚 transition as a doctorate-granting institution represents a historic turning point in the life of the university.
鈥淭his institution set out to develop teachers and with every step throughout our 136-year history, we have deliberately made sure we are raising the degrees that our institution was able to offer,鈥� Dr. Beasley said. 鈥淲e have been willing to grow and change as a need arose. Regarding the institution, the DNP program follows the same path that 麻豆社区P has had all along.鈥�
Eva Skuka, dean of the College of Health Sciences, said the program will have a lasting impact on students and communities throughout the service region.
鈥淲e must expand our capacity to meet the current and future needs of the nursing profession and the healthcare system,鈥� Dr. Skuka said. 鈥淭he intricacy of the healthcare system and the evolving models of chronic disease management make the coordination of patient care more complex. These complexities require nurses to have the highest level of scientific knowledge and practice expertise to support safe transitions, minimize fragmentation of care and improve health care outcomes.鈥�
The new program will fill the gap in the number of highly qualified, doctoral-prepared nurse professionals needed to meet the health needs of North Carolinians. Further, it will prepare graduates for advanced nursing roles, including clinical practice and leadership. Graduates will provide oversight to planning, directing and implementing evidence-based population health programs at the local, state and national levels.
鈥淎dvanced nurse training in our region to assist a generation of clinical caregivers in reaching the highest level of their profession is outstanding,鈥� said 麻豆社区 Health Southeastern President and CEO Chris Ellington. 鈥溌槎股缜鳳 is certainly an asset to the University of North Carolina system. The opportunities afforded through the growing College of Health Sciences will provide local talent to assist in improving the lives and well-being of our region.鈥�
麻豆社区P nursing students will soon have the option of entering a pathway from a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, to a Master of Nursing degree, which leads to a DNP.
Kellie Blue, 麻豆社区 Board of Governors member and 麻豆社区P alumna, said the university has long established its personal touch and innovative approach to education.
鈥溌槎股缜鳳 is perfectly aligned to add the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree to its academic catalog. I envision this being the first of the institution's many doctoral programs. As a community member, I find it most fitting that they expand their academic program offerings, services and learning opportunities to align with community demand and disparities while meeting the needs of employers that serve the region,鈥� Blue continued.