TU to Launch Nursing Doctoral Degree in College of Health Sciences
The School of Nursing in the University of Tulsa’s Oxley College of Health Sciences will launch a doctor of nursing practice () degree program beginning in January 2017. The program is designed to equip nursing professionals with education and clinical experiences to manage care and lead change within a dynamic healthcare environment. TU is one of only three universities in the state of Oklahoma to offer a program.
Students can choose from two concentrations: adult-gerontology acute care (AG-), which prepares nurses for advanced practice in acute and critical care for patients from adolescence to end of life; and family nurse practitioner (), which focuses on advanced practice in primary care for acute illness and chronic disease.
In a 2004 report, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing recommended that graduate nursing education move toward practice-focused doctoral nursing programs that would train nurses to navigate the increasing complexities of patient care with the highest standards of quality. “As our healthcare system evolves, TU hopes to meet a critical need for nurse practitioners who can provide care and drive change initiatives that result in better patient outcomes,” says Dr. Gerard Clancy, vice president for health affairs and dean of the Oxley College of Health Sciences.
“Launching this program represents the next step in our efforts to improve access to quality health care across our community,” Clancy continues. “We have an opportunity to address Oklahoma’s shortage of primary caregivers while also reducing health disparities – especially in rural and urban settings.”
The program will be housed in the new Oxley College of Health Sciences facility located in downtown Tulsa, where students have access to an on-site skills laboratory, computer lab, health clinic and a clinical simulation center. Classroom instruction combined with clinical time in care environments and specialty rotations will provide hands-on learning opportunities.
Updated 08-24-2016
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