NKU launches online Doctor of Nursing program this fall

Nurses looking to increase their skills will soon have a chance to take classes online through Northern Kentucky University.

NKU is launching a Doctor of Nursing Practice starting this fall. The program, developed by university faculty, responded to a forecast shortage of doctors and nurses nationwide as baby boomers age.

"The DNP at NKU will provide the opportunity for program graduates to demonstrate scientific knowledge and practice expertise to assure quality patient outcomes," said Denise Robinson, regents professor and dean of NKU's College of Health Professions. "This high level of skill is needed to address the complexity of healthcare needs in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and globally. These nursing experts will be tomorrow's healthcare leaders."

The practiced-focused, part-time program is designed for masters-level nurses to design, implement, manage and evaluate health care delivery systems and patients.

"The Doctor of Nursing Practice is an important solution to these growing healthcare needs and demands. Nurses will always practice nursing and physicians will practice medicine. Within that context, medicine and nursing are morphing into a new paradigm to respond to the type of care needed at this time in history," said Dr. Marilyn Schleyer, chair of the NKU Department of Advanced Nursing Studies.

The 36-credit-hour, eight semester program will be online only, and the fall class will take up to 18 students. It will also have one to two synchronized audio and visual faculty/student interactions each semester at the faculty's discretion. For more information about the application process, contact Educational Outreach at [email protected] or call (859) 392-2400.

Writer: Feoshia Henderson
Source: NKU Communications

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