Ohio University’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program has graduated its first cohort and, as much as the group of 13 made its mark on the inauguration of the DNP, the personalized and quality educational benefits of the program equally left a positive, long-lasting impact on its new graduates.
Dr. Natalie Perry, DNP, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, a nurse educator, was part of the College of Health Sciences and Professions’ first DNP cohort, which graduated in December 2018.
“I have received all of my nursing degrees from Ohio University, starting with my associate’s in nursing. I couldn’t imagine going anywhere else.”
Prior to graduating with her DNP, Dr. Perry’s research work “Continuing Education Model for Nurses Regarding Substance Use Disorder” was published in the Journal of Health Education Research and Development. Dr. Ilana Chertok, PhD, MSN, BSN, BA, associate director of nursing research and scholarship in the College of Health Sciences and Professions, co-authored the research.
In addition to Dr. Perry, graduates of the first DNP cohort include Dr. Carla Rosler, Dr. Toyin Aduloju-Odunaiya, Dr. Leslie Coonfare, Dr. Susan Dowell, Dr. Kiran Rai, Dr. Betty Fellner, Dr. Carol Schaumleffel, Dr. Chris Rankin, Dr. Jacinta Seton, Dr. Patty Allen, Dr. Tobi Newberry and Dr. Monique Washington.
Additional DNP program benefits
Students in the DNP program each develop a healthcare transformation or change project to positively influence healthcare with a community population. These projects are presented statewide and/or at national conferences. Several have also produced manuscripts.
“The instructors were very supportive of us through our journey,” Dr. Perry said. “They are very understanding of our situations and our pursuits for this higher degree. The program is very family-oriented and the school is just wonderful. I can’t say enough great things about it.”
OHIO’s growing DNP program accepting applications through July 30
Dr. Marjorie Vogt, PhD, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, PFP-C, FAANP, clinical professor and DNP associate director at the Dublin campus of Ohio University, shared that news of the program’s positive impact continues to spread, as they have experienced an increasing number of professional nurses across the state of Ohio and beyond who have joined or inquired about the program.
The DNP’s second cohort is scheduled to graduate in December 2019. The application deadline to become part of the program’s third cohort is July 30.
“Our DNP students are prepared as leaders and clinical scholars to help transform and shape healthcare of the future,” Dr. Vogt said.
Kristine Plotts, an FNP for Nationwide Children’s Hospital and member of the DNP program’s second cohort, said that although she initially enrolled because of its online format, the program has already impacted her life in numerous ways beyond simple convenience.
“It has helped me in ways I could not imagine,” she said. “I’ve developed skills I use every day. I’ve learned to manage projects and develop my leadership skills as well as developing into a doctoral nurse.”