The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program prepares clinical scholars recognized for outstanding leadership and innovation to apply their talents and expertise to delivery of evidence-based patient- and population-centered care that improves systems of care and positively influences patient outcomes. The program focuses on inter-professional collaboration and development of the kinds of competencies in quality improvement and safety that lead to enhanced outcomes for patients, families, providers, and organizations.
The DNP post-master’s program admits nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), nurse executives, and nurses focused on informatics. The part-time program offers flexibility to accommodate working professionals. Note that BSN-prepared nurses interested in becoming nurse anesthetists are encouraged to review the BSN-DNP in Nurse Anesthesia information.
The BSN-DNP programs are designed to be flexible and provides for optional nurse practitioner tracks without having to earn a Master of Nursing degree first. The program focuses on clinical competencies, inter-professional collaboration and development of the kinds of knowledge in quality improvement and safety that lead to enhanced outcomes for patients, families, providers, and organizations.Cizik School of Nursing, a part of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) is ranked in the top 5% of graduate nursing programs in the United States. The campus is located in the Texas Medical Center, a place where students can enjoy the resources of a distinguished academic health science center and the broad learning opportunities offered by the world’s largest medical center. The DNP program at Cizik School of Nursing (UTHealth), established in 2006, was the first of its kind for Texas.
The Curriculum
The UTHealth School of Nursing provides program options for nurses tailored to their training:
- Nurse Practitioners/Clinical Nurse Specialists
- Nurse Executives
- Nurse Anesthetists
- Nurse Informaticists
Students attend classes at the Houston campus for three two-day sessions per semester and engage in online learning, following an 8-semester curriculum plan. Preceptorships and fellowships support both individual goals and achievement of the national Doctor of Nursing Practice competencies.