Elevate Your Patient Care Skills with a DNP from Sacred Heart University

Earn your degree in one of the fastest-growing occupations in health care.

The latest projections from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) indicate that the United States will face a shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036. Meanwhile, every day, in many different health care settings, registered nurses administer care, offer advice and education, monitor treatment plans, track recovery and serve as a resource to their patients, as well as extended family and caregivers.

With Sacred Heart’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program, you can gain an even greater understanding of patient care and wellness, as well as answer the growing demand for primary care nurse practitioners with a DNP degree. The DNP-FNP program provides you with the skills and credentials to help address this health care gap.

“With the shortage of physicians that has been predicted, nurse practitioners will have fertile ground in which to open practices as their skills will be sorely needed in primary care,” said Dorothea Esposito, DNP, MSN/ed, APRN, FNP-BC, clinical assistant professor in the DNP-FNP hybrid program at Sacred Heart University.

Why pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree with a Family Nurse Practitioner specialization?

If you are looking for a rewarding career in health care that puts you on the front lines of promoting greater health and disease prevention, Sacred Heart’s DNP-FNP hybrid degree can prepare you to deliver comprehensive primary health care services and provide the expertise needed to treat acute diseases and chronic illnesses and conditions across all ages and backgrounds.

Upon completion of the program, successful board certification and state licensing, graduates of the program are eligible to pursue certification as a family nurse practitioner. In more than half U.S. states, including Connecticut, this education, training and certification allows graduates to practice without the supervision of a medical or osteopathic doctor. Over the past several years, the number of states that have allowed full autonomy has grown.

“One of the benefits of becoming an FNP in SHU’s program is that graduates possess the same prescriptive authority as MDs,” Esposito said. “After they do the required collaboration hours with a physician in Connecticut, they are free to open up their own practices and treat patients in primary care.”

In terms of career growth, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects nurse practitioners (one of the fastest-growing occupations) to experience a 46% projected growth rate over the next 10 years. The median annual salary is about $126,000.

Who is SHU’s Family Nurse Practitioner Doctor of Nursing Practice program designed for?

This program is well-suited for graduates of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program who seek advanced skills, experience and expertise to serve families and individuals in a primary care setting, including private practice or community health centers.

In addition, nurses who have worked in patient care and have clinical experiences will find opportunities to expand their skills, conduct quality improvement and become leaders in their profession. Recent student research work into current primary care health needs and issues has included finding ways to improve health literacy and education programs for chronic conditions, as well as assessing the use of telemedicine to achieve better health outcomes.

What sets Sacred Heart’s program apart from other DNP-FNP programs?

Learning and training takes place in the state-of-the-art Center for Healthcare Education, which provides spaces for clinical practice and rotations. This includes simulation rooms and cutting-edge technology, such as the Anatomage Table that offers a life-size digital depiction of the human body. In addition, participants in the program can use simulation equipment to better understand how to treat cardiac and digestive diseases and receive advice on preventive measures—all with the same equipment they have used or will be using in real-life primary care settings.

The hybrid nature of the program provides versatility, given the combination of on-campus and online coursework. Participants cite the opportunity to work full time and take classes at their own pace as leading to their success.

SHU’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program has gained national accolades and is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.