JMU adds DNP

[cougarnurse]

FYI: JMU Adds Doctorate of Nursing Program

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing recommends that all advanced practice nurses have a doctorate in nursing by 2015.

Merle Mast, the head of James Madison University's Department of Nursing, says they've doubled the number of students in the nursing program in the last five years.

"We really have worked hard to expand nursing in all of our nursing programs here at JMU because of the nursing shortage," says Mast.

She says it covers all facets of nursing.

"There's a shortage of practicing nurses, there's a shortage of nurse educators, and there's a shortage of advanced practice nurses. And so we've been expanding our program to try to address all those areas of shortage," says Mast.

One of the areas they're really starting to expand is advanced practice nurses.

JMU's Board of Visitors approved the Doctorate of Nursing Practice, or DNP, Monday. Mast says this program will help with the shortage.

"DNP will help the shortage by better preparing advanced practice nurses to address the health care needs. And also by better preparing nursing faculty to teach and to address to both teach and practice in health care," says Mast.

Donna Hahn is the Chief Executive Nurse at Rockingham Memorial Hospital. She says having so many nursing schools in the area is a big help.

"We provide the schools with a great place for their clinical experience, and during that, we hope to attract them to stay here," says Hahn.

While the program is waiting on approval from the state council and necessary resources, Mast says they're excited.

"I think the DNP is happening and I'm excited that we are moving in that direction as well," says Mast.

In 2004 there were only six DNP programs. Now there are 92 and more than 100 are in the planning phase.