DNP Degree to be Offered by Florida State University

This fall, Florida State University's College of Nursing will offer a new graduate program that will pursue nurses to have doctorate degree of nursing practice (DNP) degree. The college administrators began this program with only 16 students, now the demand for the new degree continues because the class population is now 25. The $2.3 million federal grants from the Health Resources and Services Administration will assist the college to accommodate additional students.

Lisa Plowfield, Dean of the College of Nursing said that the faculty have been very fascinated in the increase of students' population; on the other hand, they still need to manage their resources. She added, "It was awfully well-timed that we submitted these grants at the same time the program was being permitted by the Board of Governors." Based on the evaluation and rated proposals from schools and health-care agencies, the HRSA grants are competitive. The four-year DNP was instigated by FSU as the American Association of Colleges of Nursing is altering its principles. Nurses will be educated following the advanced practice role to be finished by DNP in 2015. Family nurse practitioner and health systems leadership are the two DNP tracks at FSU. Plowfield said that the portion of the grant money will be utilized for faculty development so that they will be updated with what is happening in their profession and nurses and administrators will bring in DNP degree. Barbara MacArthur, VP and Chief Nursing Officer at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, Member of the Community Advisory Board for FSU's College Of Nursing, fully supports the college's new degree program. According to her the new program will help them further the education of clinical nurses which is vital to the nursing profession. [via]