The University of Hartford is launching a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program to meet the growing need for nurse leaders in health-care organizations and in nursing education. The fully online program will begin in fall 2022, and enrollment is open now.
The curriculum will prepare nurses at the highest level of nursing education to assume leadership roles in hospitals and health systems. The DNP will also qualify nurse educators for faculty positions at colleges and universities.
As part of the Hawk Alumni Scholarship, UHart alumni are eligible for a 25 percent tuition discount on the DNP program. In addition, many of the University’s clinical partners offer tuition discounts to their employees through UHart’s educational alliance program. More information is available here.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the category of medical and health services managers, which includes nursing managers, is expected to grow 15% in Connecticut and 32% nationally from 2020 to 2030.
“Modern healthcare systems have become increasingly complex, which creates a need for practitioners and leaders who not only have a deep understanding of clinical practice but also a broader knowledge of other factors, such as finance and operations, to impact health outcomes,” said Cesarina Thompson, Dean of the College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions. “Our DNP will provide nurses with a strong foundation to be effective team leaders and work with others across health systems.”
In addition, data from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) continues to show a critical shortage of qualified nursing faculty, which prevents nursing schools from increasing enrollment. Job growth for nursing faculty is projected at 11% in Connecticut and 18% nationally.
The interdisciplinary DNP curriculum includes a series of management courses with UHart’s Barney School of Business. Students will gain eligibility to sit for the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) or Project Management Professional (PMP) exams, giving them an edge for executive leadership roles.
The curriculum also includes practicum experiences that integrate classroom learning, promote innovative thinking as an advanced practitioner, and help students develop new solutions for clinical or system practice issues. DNP students will also complete a scholarly project that aims to improve practice.
The addition of the DNP is the latest step in the expansion of UHart’s nursing program. In 2019, the university started a pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program to join its longstanding RN to BSN and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs. Nursing is now one of the largest undergraduate majors at the University.
Learn more about the DNP program here.
Cesarina Thompson, Dean of the College of Education, Nursing and Health ProfessionsModern healthcare systems have become increasingly complex, which creates a need for practitioners and leaders who not only have a deep understanding of clinical practice but also a broader knowledge of other factors, such as finance and operations, to impact health outcomes. This DNP will provide nurses with a strong foundation to be effective team leaders and work with others across health systems.