New diagnostic tools, new treatments, new medications - healthcare grows ever more complex. And as costs increase, clinicians are striving to determine best practices.
"Healthcare is in a constant state of change, and we have no resources to waste on the wrong changes," says Bill McBreen, interim dean of the College of Nursing and Health at Winona State University.
More Education - Better Outcomes
Research has shown a clear link between higher levels of nursing education and better patient outcomes. This means that in today's complex environment, advanced practice nurses - such as nurse practitioners, nurse midwives and nurse anesthetists - need the highest possible level of scientific knowledge and practice expertise.
To meet this need, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing recommends that advanced practice nurses complete a doctor of nursing practice degree (DNP). Unlike the research-focused PhD, the DNP emphasizes leadership, the translation of research to practice and clinical experience in evidence-based practice, quality improvement and systems thinking.
Quality Improvement
In 2007, the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system began offering the DNP. A collaboration of Winona State University, Minnesota State University Mankato, Minnesota State University Moorhead and Metropolitan State University, the program is currently open to advanced practice nurses with a master's degree.
Students are matched with an appropriate faculty mentor in their area of interest on one of the four campuses. Didactic work is done via Webinars, interactive television, audio conferences and other online methods.
