Master’s program ranks in the top 100 nationally
U.S. News & World Report has ranked the UofL School of Nursing master’s program 88th for 2017. The rankings are based on a weighted average of 13 indicators that include peer assessment; student selectivity and achievement; faculty resources; and research activity. These factors are used to compile an overall rank.
More than 500 schools with graduate programs accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing were surveyed. A total of 273 responded, and 246 were eligible for inclusion in the rankings.
“Our top 100 ranking is a demonstration of the quality of our master’s program,” said Marcia J. Hern, Ed.D., C.N.S., R.N., dean of the School of Nursing. “As a school, we are educating nurses to not only address the increasing health care demand for advanced practice nurses but also to address the nursing faculty shortage our nation is facing. Nationally, our nursing school faculty are retiring faster than we can replace them.”
The school accepted its last cohort of master’s students in fall 2015, as it transitions to the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in August 2016. The move aligns with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s (AACN) call to increase the level of preparation necessary for advanced practice nursing roles from the master's degree to the doctoral level.
The DNP prepares nurse leaders to meet changing health care demands. It focuses on developing advanced practice knowledge to improve health outcomes of diverse patient populations. Emphasis is placed on the use and creation of evidenced based care, management of care, leadership in systems and health care organizations, and development and implementation of health policy.
Transitioning to the DNP places nursing on par with other health professions that offer practice doctorates such as pharmacy, psychology, physical therapy, and audiology.
