Alverno College Launches New Doctorate of Nursing Practice

October 4, 2016

In response to demand and the increasingly complex health care landscape, Alverno College is launching a post-master's Doctorate of Nursing Practice degree and the first doctorate offering at the college. The program is for nurses looking to increase their marketability and maximize their potential for career growth. Alverno's JoAnn McGrath School of Nursing is fully accredited and widely recognized as one of Wisconsin's top nursing programs.

“We are excited to offer a doctorate degree to our nursing students and to advanced practice nurses in the community who are looking to advance their careers and earning potential,” said Margaret Rauschenberger, MSN, RN, interim dean of the JoAnn McGrath School of Nursing at Alverno College. “I often hear employers say they can always spot the Alverno graduates, and now we can offer our exemplary education to those wishing to earn a terminal degree.”

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing reported substantial growth in DNP programs between 2006 and 2014. In that time, the number of programs increased from 20 to 264. From 2013 to 2014, the number of students enrolled in DNP programs jumped from 14,688 to 18,352. Advanced practice roles for nurses include clinical nurse specialists (CNS), nurse practitioners (NP), certified nurse midwives (CNM) and certified nurse anesthetists (CRNA). Nurses with a DNP will be able to assume leadership roles in complex clinical environments, lead the development of health care policy and serve as expert clinicians in health care.

Open to both women and men, Alverno's DNP will launch in January and will offer two tracks, leadership and direct care. The leadership track requires 32 credits to complete, and the direct care track requires 30 credits to complete. Twelve courses will be offered in a flexible hybrid format that blends online and classroom education, and a cohort model will offer year-round courses in eight-week blocks. Students can choose to attend full or part time, and can complete the program in 18 months with full-time attendance.

Alverno College has educated nurses for more than 80 years and is home to one of the largest undergraduate schools in nursing in Wisconsin. Students interested in applying for or learning more about the Doctorate of Nursing Practice program can find more information at https://www.alverno.edu/admissions/dnp/ or call the admissions office at 414-382-6100.