U of A Adds Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration to Nursing Doctorate

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing at the University of Arkansas has added a new concentration to its Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program that will allow nurses to earn family nurse practitioner certification.

The family nurse practitioner concentration is offered online for nurses who have an interest in managing care for a variety of patients and populations, including families, women and children, said Deborah Shirey, an assistant professor of nursing who is a certified family nurse practitioner. A graduate of the new concentration is eligible to sit for national certification as a family nurse practitioner through the American Nurses Credentialing Center. A student who completes national certification is eligible for state licensure as an advanced practice registered nurse.

"With this certification, the advanced practice registered nurse will be prepared to manage patient care in such settings as family practice clinics, community health centers and more," Shirey said. "The family nurse practitioner plays a vital role on the primary care team in his or her ability to assess, diagnose and treat acute and chronic illnesses. This is very fulfilling for those who seek to expand their knowledge and skills to a higher level. I am very excited to see this concentration now offered at the University of Arkansas and look forward to meeting our first class!"

The nursing school proposed the concentration based on an American Association of Colleges of Nursing recommendation that advanced practice nurses should be prepared at the doctoral level. The Arkansas Department of Higher Education recently approved the concentration and it will start this fall. The application for the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree is available on the nursing school's website.

In 2013, the nursing school began offering the Doctor of Nursing Practice for B.S.N.-D.N.P. and M.S.N.-D.N.P. students with coursework delivered online through the U of A Global Campus. Students complete a clinical component in the area where they live. Adult-geriatric acute care nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist concentrations are also available through the D.N.P. program.

The D.N.P. is one of more than 30 programs and plans offered completely or primarily online by the Fayetteville campus and showcased on the University of Arkansas ONLINE website.

The focus on primary care services such as health promotion and disease prevention is necessary to avoid the development of chronic health problems, according to the proposal for the new concentration. Most of the 75 counties in Arkansas are designated as medically underserved areas by the Arkansas Department of Health. The majority of the top killers in the state - heart disease, cancer, stroke, injury, chronic lower respiratory disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, influenza and pneumonia - could be avoided if primary care services were accessible, according to the proposal.

About the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing: The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing also offers a Master of Science in Nursing online and an R.N. to B.S.N. degree-completion program online as well as an on-campus Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. The nursing school is located in the Epley Center for Health Professions, a facility that opened in 2012 with five high-fidelity simulation labs in which mannequins simulate patient conditions and offer scenarios for nursing students to address.

About the Global Campus: The Global Campus supports U of A colleges and schools in the development and delivery of online programs and courses. It provides instructional design services, technology services and assistance with marketing, recruiting and strategic academic development.