post-master,doctors of nursing practice

Marquee ProgramThe Post-Master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program, the only program in Connecticut and just the second in New England, is designed to serve nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, midwives, nurse anesthetists, and administrators who prefer an alternative to doctoral programs focused on research. The program prepares practitioners at the professional doctoral level with courses focused on adding the highest degree of professional expertise in eight essential areas specified by the American Association of Colleges of Nurses (AACN). Students have the opportunity to specialize in an individual area. AACN has called for implementation of the DNP program as entry into advanced practice nursing in schools of nursing throughout the U.S. by 2015.“The program was developed in direct response to the national need for doctorally prepared leaders in practice,” said Anne Bavier, dean of the School of Nursing. “The program emphasizes the scientific basis of knowledge, evidence-based practice, and development of leadership expertise within advanced practice nursing.”
The UConn program was approved from the state Board of Governors of Higher Education in April and the School's first class now has 16 enrolled and has enormous growth potential. The program is headed by Associate Dean Regina Cusson, a professor of nursing who is also a registered nurse and neonatal nurse practitioner. Cusson coordinates the neonatal nurse practitioner faculty special interest group of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses. “She is well versed in issues facing advanced practice educators in the United States,” says Bavier.