SETTING COURSE IN HEALTHCARE WITH NEW DOCTOR OF NURSING PRACTICE PROGRAM Having received full approval from the Higher Learning Commission and Ohio Department of Higher Education, Cedarville University’s School of Nursing will launch a new Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) online degree program this fall. Applications are now being accepted for the inaugural cohort that is slated to begin in August 2023. Cedarville’s DNP program is one of only 10 offered by universities in Ohio. Cedarville’s School of Nursing began offering its Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree in 1982 and 28 years later, began offering the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. The MSN program offers tracks in family nurse practitioner, pediatric nurse practitioner, leadership, and nurse educator. Now, with the DNP degree program, Cedarville University can further prepare its graduates for healthcare leadership and population-based healthcare, while staying at the forefront of anticipated changes within the nursing profession. Cedarville’s MSN program was ranked fifth in the state of Ohio and in the top 100 in the nation according to U.S. News and World Report’s January 2023 listing of Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs. Cedarville will continue to offer its BSN and MSN programs to help Christian nurses achieve their educational and career goals. This is the University’s third terminal degree, following the Doctor of Pharmacy and physician assistant studies programs. “The increasing demands in the complex healthcare environment require the highest level of knowledge and practice to ensure quality patient care,” said Kim Higginbotham ’93, Assistant Dean and Director of Graduate Nursing Programs. “We see the future of graduate nursing education as a time to meet the needs of the community and the trajectory of the nursing profession.” Cedarville’s DNP program offers two tracks — nurse practitioner and nursing leadership. The nurse practitioner track allows graduates to work as advanced practice nurses, while the leadership track prepares them for a career in nursing administration. Cedarville’s online program features two completion pathways: § BSN to DNP – This pathway allows BSN-prepared nurses to complete a DNP degree in 75-79 credit hours over four years. § MSN to DNP – This pathway enables MSN-prepared nurses to complete a DNP degree in as little as 35 credit hours, or two years. The required hours will be determined by an MSN transcript review and customized to each student’s career goal. The DNP program follows the Cedarville School of Nursing’s vision of equipping exceptional nurses who use nursing as their ministry for Christ. “Providing an education grounded in biblical truth prepares students to care for vulnerable populations holistically,” said Higginbotham. “DNP graduates will be equipped to influence the nursing profession, the health and well-being of populations, and use nursing as a ministry for Christ.” We are now accepting applications for the inaugural DNP cohort. Learn more and apply at cedarville.edu/gradnursing. CAMPUS NEWS 34 | Cedarville Magazine
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTM4ODY=