“It currently takes up to 15 years to get
practice improvements from the original
research to the bedside,” says Teresa Wehrwein,
PhD, RN, NEA-BC, associate dean for academic
and clinical affairs. “The DNP is a practice
doctorate which complements the work of PhDs
by taking research and developing evidencebased implementation strategies for the clinical
setting. The DNP is charged with shortening
that gap between discovery of evidence and
getting it into the patient care system to
In 2010, a task force led by Louise Selanders,
EdD, RN, FAAN, convened to design the
DNP curriculum. The program prepares nurse
leaders to:
• provide clinical, organizational and systems
leadership at the highest level
• design, implement, and evaluate high
quality and cost-effective healthcare
services for diverse populations, including
the disadvantaged and underserved
• champion healthcare policy and operational
changes using evidence-based data
and technology that will enhance and
guide nursing practice across all clinical
practice settings
• collaborate actively across disciplines
and organizations with providers and
client groups to achieve sustainable
improvements in healthcare outcomes
COLLEGE OF NURSING
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES:
IN EDUCATION:
Provide a balanced array of educational
programs to prepare nurse leaders for
education, research, and practice.
IN RESEARCH:
Increase research productivity in
focused areas of excellence, expand
team science, and advance the state
of nursing science.
IN PRACTICE:
Lead nursing practice partnerships that
translate nursing science into practice
to improve health outcomes.
GRADUATE CLINICAL PROGRAMS
Preparing Practitioners to Transform
Delivery of Care
improve patient outcomes, resulting in each
of o