RMU to Launch First State Board of Nursing-Approved Doctor of Nursing Practice Program for Bachelor’s-Prepared Nurses
 
Offering allows students to pursue family, adult, & adult psychiatric nurse practitioner roles

Robert Morris University (RMU) recently received full approval from the Pennsylvania Board of Nursing to begin offering the state's first doctor of nursing practice (DNP) program for nurses holding bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degrees. While a handful of Pennsylvania institutions, including RMU, currently offer a completion option for advanced practice nurses with master's degrees as nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, midwives or nurse anesthetists, RMU's newest program is the first to allow nurses with bachelor's degrees to pursue learning at the highest level of nursing practice without obtaining a separate master's degree. In addition, the University has named Judith A. Kaufmann, Dr.P.H., CRNP-BC, as director of the DNP program, effective June 1. A biography detailing Kauffman's experience and educational background is attached.

RMU's BSN-to-DNP program addresses recent initiatives by both Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). As part of his "Prescription for Pennsylvania" program, the governor has proposed expansion of the role of nurse practitioners in the provision of patient care throughout the Commonwealth. The AACN, supported by the National Academy of Science, has recommended that all advanced practice nurses be educated at the doctor of nursing practice level by 2015. Currently, there are only 28 other DNP programs in existence nationwide.

"Now is a critical time in the vision and direction of nursing as educators begin offering advanced practice nursing programs to prepare the Doctor of Nursing Practice," said Lynda J. Davidson, Ph.D., RN, dean of Robert Morris University's School of Nursing. "Robert Morris University's DNP offering will lead Pennsylvania's nursing efforts to provide strong programs with clear outcomes and that support the delivery of quality health care for all of our citizens."

Expected to enroll its first class of 11 full-time and 25 part-time students this fall, RMU's BSN-to-DNP program will allow nurses to earn a doctoral degree as either a family nurse practitioner, adult nurse practitioner, or adult psychiatric nurse practitioner. Similar to the DNP completion option announced by RMU in January, the curriculum in the BSN-to-DNP program will incorporate the recommendations of the Institute of Medicine in developing multi-disciplinary teamwork skills in order to meet the challenges outlined in the organization's "Health Professions Education: A Bridge to Quality, 2003." DNP students will also complete a capstone course in which they conduct field projects under the supervision of an onsite preceptor and RMU faculty advisor.

The content and competencies of RMU's program also align with the Essentials of the Doctoral of Nursing Practice as defined by the AACN. Students interested in more information on RMU's new DNP program may contact graduate enrollment counselor Janene Szpak at 412-397-2429.

Since the announcement of its DNP completion option in January, RMU's School of Nursing has received more than 500 inquiries from across the nation for the program's 25 slots. The completion option will be unique in its method of delivery, offering students the opportunity to study in an executive format in which they spend one week each term on RMU's campus and complete the remainder of the course requirements online. Meals and lodging during the week on campus will be provided by RMU.

Launched in 2003, RMU's School of Nursing was created with a specific focus on the southwestern Pennsylvania region's critical nursing shortage. Since then, the University has played a leading role in addressing this challenge through successful undergraduate and master's in nursing programs that have produced 50 graduates and currently enroll nearly 200 students. As of winter 2007, 100% of RMU's bachelor of science in nursing graduates had passed the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) on their first attempt, thereby demonstrating the knowledge needed to safely and effectively perform as licensed, entry-level registered nurses.

Judith A. Kaufmann, Dr.P.H., CRNP-BC - Biography

 
Released: 4/05/2007