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Three years after its establishment, the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) at the Andy and Barbara Gessner College of Nursing is celebrating its inaugural class of graduates. The DNP doctorate equips family nurse practitioners and nurse executives to tackle the scarcity of primary care providers, nursing educators, and leaders in a complex health care environment. The program elevates the level of preparation necessary for advanced nursing practice from a master’s degree to a doctorate.
The first group of six DNP graduates were all practicing nurses before entering the program. They will continue their careers focused on providing leadership for evidence-based practice including translating research into practice, evaluating evidence, applying research in decision-making, and implementing viable clinical innovations to change practice.
"DNP-prepared nurses are our leaders who will improve healthcare by driving progress," said Kathryn Tart, founding dean, professor and Humana Endowed Dean's Chair in Nursing. "The DNP degree supports the national movement toward making it the necessary degree for advanced nursing practice."
Among the new graduates are Debra Bayliss and Arlena Davis, both Albert Schweitzer Fellows who have been working towards serving and empowering vulnerable people to build healthier communities. Together they worked to bring easily accessible mental health care to Houston’s homeless population.
A key figure in bringing the DNP degree to Gessner College of Nursing is secretary of the UH System Board of Regents, Durga D. Agrawal. In 2013 when he was a member of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Agrawal fully supported the introduction of the DNP program.
“As a young boy growing up in a small village in India with no electricity or water supply, we did not have medical doctors. My family relied on nurses who provided healthcare services until I reached high school,” said Agrawal. “In addition to bringing the DNP program to Texas, I had an opportunity to meet with Prime Minister Modi in his office in Delhi. I recommended the DNP program and how it can help provide healthcare to masses in rural India.” The program was successfully implemented by the Nursing Council of India at two institutions.
Currently, approximately 3,000 DNP professionals practice in Texas with around 5,000 more enrolled in various DNP programs across the state.
“Given the limited number of doctors and healthcare professionals, I believe that this program is having a significant impact on the healthcare industry to help alleviate these shortages in Texas,” said Agrawal. “Looking ahead, I envision this program continuing to grow and set a benchmark for nursing education nationwide.”