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College of Nursing: Doctor of Nursing Practice Program
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    • Doctor of Nursing Practice vs. Doctor of Philosophy
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Doctor of Nursing Practice Program

To meet the increasing complexity of our health care environment, the Institute of Medicine calls for health care to reduce the burden of illness, injury, and disability for our nation. Improvement strategies include the provision of care that is safe, effective, patient-centered, timely, efficient, and equitable. The DNP blends clinical, organizational, economic, and leadership skills to prepare nurses at the highest level to lead health care innovation and influence policy

What You Learn

Graduates of the UAMS Doctor of Nursing Practice Program will be prepared to lead inter-professional teams to identify, implement, and evaluate innovative health care models to address improving quality outcomes for individuals, families, and populations.

Focus

Multiple tracks are offered in the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program: Nurse Practitioner Tracks (post-BSN to DNP), Nurse Anesthesia Track, and Post-Master’s Leadership Track.

Nurse Practitioner Tracks

The Nurse Practitioner Tracks prepare nurses with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in nursing for roles as nurse practitioners at the highest level.

Individuals who are already licensed and certified as an advanced practice registered nurse may apply to a post-BSN-to-DNP track for a second nurse practitioner area of certification.

Post-Master’s Leadership Track

The Post-Master’s Leadership Track prepares individuals with graduate degrees in nursing administration or an advanced practice registered nurse role for leadership roles.

Deadlines and Application Timelines

The application deadline for the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program has been extended to March 1 except for the Nurse Anesthesia Track.

All classes for new Doctor of Nursing Practice Program students begin each August.

Nurse Practitioner Tracks

The application deadline for all specialties in the Nurse Practitioner Tracks of the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program is March 1.

Nurse Practitioner SpecialtySpecialty Coordinator
Adult-Gero Acute Care Nurse PractitionerMaeghan Arnold, DNP
Adult-Gero Primary Care Nurse PractitionerJanice Taylor, DNP
Family Nurse PractitionerLaura Mayfield, DNP
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse PractitionerChristie Keller, DNP
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Primary CareKellie Bishop, DNP
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Acute CareKellie Bishop, DNP

Nurse Anesthesia Track

The deadline for the Nurse Anesthesia Track of the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program is December 1.

Program Director: Michelle Gonzalez, Ph.D.

Assistant Program Director: Mark Dunavan, DNP

Post-Master’s Leadership Track

The deadline for the Post-Master’s Leadership Track of the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program is April 1.

Program Director: Pam Laborde, DNP

Why UAMS?

UAMS is one of the region’s major academic health centers. The UAMS College of Nursing is engaged in activities and partnerships that promote scholarly excellence, research and service to the university, nursing profession and society.

Students in the UAMS Doctor of Nursing Practice Program will become experts in the evaluation and translation of evidence into practice settings driven by their interests and expertise to address significant healthcare or policy issues.

As one of the six UAMS colleges, the College of Nursing offers excellent opportunities for students who desire a terminal clinical practice degree.

In addition to our hospital and clinics, UAMS includes the following institutes of excellence:

  • Translational Research Institute
  • Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging
  • Harvey and Bernice Jones Eye Institute
  • Myeloma Institute for Research and Therapy
  • Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute
  • Psychiatric Research Institute
  • Jackson T. Stephens Spine and Neurosciences Institute

UAMS also includes a center of excellence, the Hartford Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence — one of only eight nursing programs in the country.

Benefits to Students

UAMS and the College of Nursing offer students in the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program the following:

  • The opportunity to learn at UAMS, which is one of the region’s major academic health centers with outreach programs operating in every county and a regional campus in Northwest Arkansas
  • Collaboration with community organizations and health care systems to promote health and disease and injury prevention and treatment.
  • Access to the UAMS Library, a major biomedical information resource that is committed to meeting the information needs of its users with a strong service orientation that is characterized by responsiveness, professionalism, and effectiveness.
  • A state of the art simulation center for interprofessional education

Contact

For questions regarding admission and applications please email conadmissions@uams.edu or call 501-686-5224.

Albrey Love, DNP, RN, APRN, PNP-BC
Director, Doctor of Nursing Practice Program
Phone: 501-526-6408
Email: ALLove@uams.edu

Start the Application Process

Apply Now
UAMS College of Nursing LogoUAMS College of NursingUniversity of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Mailing Address: 4301 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205
Phone: (501) 686-7000
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