Posted: 9/14/2007
The Maryland Higher Education Commission has reviewed and approved the Johns Hopkins University request to offer a new Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree.
The DNP–the highest possible degree for nurses committed to clinical practice–is the latest academic program to be added to the timely array of Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing (JHUSON) educational options. The first DNP class will launch in January 2008 with subsequent classes beginning in September each year.
JHUSON is now hosting DNP information sessions where Masters-prepared nurses can learn more about the new Hopkins program. A virtual session, an online chat, is scheduled for Wednesday, September 19th at 4 p.m. and a lunchtime in-person session will be held Thursday, September 20th at the School. The JHUSON Fall Open House, Saturday, October 6th, also will offer special sessions about the DNP. Both forums and the open house feature faculty, administration, and admissions staff who will discuss application requirements and answer questions from prospective students.
For more information, contact the Office of Admissions and Student Services at 410-955-7548, or visit online chat, info session, open house, or contact the JHUSON Office of Admissions and Student Services at 410-955-7548.
The new JHUSON program is designed to accommodate the needs of practicing nurses–those who currently are nurse administrators, public health practitioners, or advanced practice nurses caring for individuals–and who come to the program already having earned a master’s degree. With the nursing shortage in mind, the JHUSON has created an educational opportunity amenable to nurses who work full time and who want to enhance their nursing expertise while retaining their existing health care, retirement, and tuition benefits.
The innovative curriculum of 38 credits can be completed in four semesters–through both distance learning and executive-style immersion learning opportunities, including week-long seminars. Key elements of the new program are the mentoring component that will match students with faculty who share their area of interest, and the interdisciplinary faculty drawn from not only JHUSON, but also the JHU schools of medicine, public health, and business.
An additional feature of the new program that will be attractive to the working nurse is the tuition: $9,500 per semester; a rate that is within the ranges of employer tuition reimbursement or can be offset by financial aid programs aimed at reducing the nursing shortage.
Like the JHUSON Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program that prepares nurse scientists to head interdisciplinary research teams, the JHUSON DNP will prepare nurse leaders for multidisciplinary practice initiatives, including those focusing on patient safety, quality of care, and performance improvement. By 2015, the DNP degree will be the level of educational preparation required by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing for all advanced practice nurses.
The deadline for application to the cohort beginning January 2008 is October 15, 2007. For more information, prospective program candidates are invited to contact the JHUSON admissions office at 410-955-7548.