Two Health Degree Programs Rate among the Best in U.S.
Findings by U.S. News & World Report affirm SHU’s strength in educating medical professionals
Two Sacred Heart University health-related degree programs―physician assistant (PA) and doctor of nursing practice (DNP)―ranked among the country’s best in a new college guide from U.S. News & World Report.
The College of Health Professions’ PA program ranked 20th in the country and second in Connecticut. The Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing’s (DHCON) family nurse practitioner DNP program placed second in the state.
The publication released its “Best Graduate Schools” report this month. The U.S. News list evaluates programs in various disciplines according to predetermined criteria.
SHU’s PA program earned high scores for its rigorous courses. Students take part in a 12-month instructional phase, followed by 15 months of clinical rotations. By the time they earn their degrees, they have gained a combined 2,000 hours of experience in internal and family medicine, general surgery, pediatrics, primary care and other health-related fields. Students learn from world-class physicians in state-of-the-art medical and clinical settings.
“This ranking is a testament to all the hard work by our faculty, staff and students,” said Maura Iversen, College of Health Professions dean. “Our rigorous PA program prepares students for real-world health care settings. We are proud to be considered one of the best and don’t take that for granted. We will continue to improve upon the program and challenge our students to be the best caregivers to patients.”
Sacred Heart’s DNP family nurse practitioner program was likewise recognized for its many strengths. When nurses earn their DNP degree at Sacred Heart, they have reached the highest level of education within the practice. They have an advanced understanding of patient care, disease diagnosis, treatment, prevention and overall patient wellness. When students graduate from Sacred Heart’s program, they are prepared to provide comprehensive care to patients of all ages in primary care settings, private practice or community health centers.
“Our DNP graduates are a valuable part of the health care system,” said Karen Daley, DHCON dean. “This ranking proves that the DNPs who graduate from Sacred Heart are going into the world and making a difference. I’m proud of this recognition and all the work that went into earning it.”