INDIANAPOLIS, March 20, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Marian University's Leighton School of Nursing will offer a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree program beginning in May 2017. The DNP degree program has two tracks: family nurse practitioner (FNP) and certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA).

The new Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree prepares registered nurses (RNs) at the highest level for advanced clinical practice and leadership roles. The DNP curriculum is delivered using hybrid methods of both on-campus and web-based instruction and offers courses in systems leadership, evidence-based practice, quality improvement, policy and advocacy, informatics, and other key areas to improve patient and organizational outcomes.

The certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) curriculum is among the first of its kind to be offered in Indiana. Previously, Hoosiers interested in becoming nurse anesthetists completed their training in Cincinnati, Chicago, and other out-of-state colleges and universities.

Marian University's newest doctoral program will help meet increasing local, regional, and national employment demand for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs).

There are incredible employment opportunities for APRNs across the United States. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:

• The job outlook through 2024 is expected to grow by 31 percent, much faster than the national average for other occupations.
• Median pay for DNP graduates was $104,740 in 2015.

Graduates of Marian University's DNP program will be prepared to provide primary patient care in hospitals and clinical settings, work in research facilities, and teach at the university level.

"The need for more APRNs results, in part, from an aging nursing workforce. As its members retire, there is a national shortage of well-qualified professionals to train the next generation of nurses," Dr. Dorothy Gomez, interim dean of Marian University's Leighton School of Nursing, said.

Gomez says demand in hospitals, outpatient facilities, clinics, and other facilities is also growing because of increased emphasis on preventive care, more awareness about health and wellness, and Baby Boomers who are living longer than previous generations.

"More opportunities exist because health care executives recognize that nurses are essential members of work teams tasked with providing effective, efficient primary patient care," Gomez said.

Marian University's two-track DNP program will prepare students for careers as nurse practitioners and nurse anesthetists.

Students choosing the practitioner track will be prepared to pursue Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) certification through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

Those choosing the anesthetist track can pursue the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CNRA) credential offered by the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists.

Initial anesthesia accreditation has been granted by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational programs (COA), pending final DNP approval by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

The new doctoral program is part of Marian University President Daniel J. Elsener's ambitious strategic enrollment plan, which calls for 14 master's and doctoral programs with a total enrollment of 1,200 students by 2025.

For more information about graduate programs at Marian University, visit marian.edu/graduate.

About Marian University Indianapolis
Marian University (marian.edu), founded in Indianapolis in 1937, is the only Catholic liberal arts university in central Indiana. It serves a student body of nearly 3,000 through dedication to excellent teaching and learning in the Franciscan and liberal arts traditions. Marian University is one of Indiana's 31 independent colleges and one of 244 Catholic colleges and universities nationwide. Since 2001, Marian University has been led by President Daniel J. Elsener, whose vision and leadership are transforming the university. In 2013, Marian University opened the Michael A. Evans Center for Health Sciences, home to its College of Osteopathic Medicine. Marian University has amassed 36 national championships in cycling, captured the NAIA Football National Championship in 2012 and 2015, and won the NAIA Women's Basketball Championship in 2016 and 2017.

Contact: Mark Apple | 317.955.6775 | [email protected]   

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SOURCE Marian University