Doctor of Nursing Practice students in the UAB School of Nursing are encouraged to think outside the box and set a course to become nursing and health care leaders.
The Schoolís newly redesigned DNP program enriches the knowledge BSN and master's-prepared nurses already have and provides them with the skills to become front runners in advanced practice nursing, said Linda Roussel, PhD, NEA-BC, CNL, the UAB programís new director. She is leading the implementation of a new curriculum for the joint program, shared with the University of Alabama in Huntsville College of Nursing and University of Alabama Capstone College of Nursing.
The revision ensures students take away a newfound skillset and tactics for organizational leadership, systems management and practice improvement. ìThe courses serve as a scaffold, and are rooted in evidence-based practice, improvement science and translation,î said Assistant Professor Shea Polancich, PhD, RN, a core faculty member in the program and member of the curriculum committee.
"The new curriculum prepares our DNP students with the competencies to develop innovative models of care, conduct program evaluation leading to best practices, translate science to clinical practice, disseminate population-based interventions, or improve patient safety and quality. Our advanced practice nursing graduates will be equipped for tomorrow's health care," added Roussel.
