The new degree will help prepare future leaders.

Kent State University's College of Nursing today announced approval from the Ohio Board of Regents to offer the Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, one of two terminal degrees in nursing. Kent State already offers the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and beginning in spring 2011 will offer the D.N.P., which prepares advanced practice nurse clinical scholars as leaders in translating research evidence into clinical practice.

According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), transitioning advanced practice nursing programs from the master's level to the doctoral level serves as a "...response to changes in health care delivery and emerging health care needs. It supports advanced practice nurses in securing " ... the knowledge required to provide leadership in the discipline of nursing," a discipline that is complex and rapidly changing.

The AACN requires that all entry-level advanced practice educational programs be transitioned from the Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) degree to the D.N.P. degree by the year 2015. Kent State currently has 12 advanced practice M.S.N. concentrations that will transition to the D.N.P.

Applications for this innovative program will be accepted for spring 2011. Presently, the degree will be offered as a part-time, post-advanced-practice master's program. It will incorporate 37 didactic credit hours, 540 clinical hours and a capstone project.

For more information about the new Doctorate of Nursing Practice degree at Kent State, contact Dr. Karen Budd, director of nursing graduate programs, at kbudd@kent.edu or 330-672-8776.

For more information about the College of Nursing, visit www.kent.edu/nursing.