Nursing students take important step in their clinical education

As a new semester begins, nearly 40 doctorate of nursing practice (DNP) students will participate in a white coat ceremony marking their advancement from didactic courses to patient-focused clinical care and the beginning of their yearlong graduate projects.

Sonya Hardin, PhD, MBA, MHA, CCRN, NP-C, FAAN, dean of the UofL School of Nursing, will preside over the ceremony on Aug. 15 at 6 p.m. at the Health Sciences Center auditorium located in the Kornhauser Health Sciences Library, 500 S. Preston St.

“DNP students will graduate to become advanced practice nursing leaders who will help shape health care and health systems,” said Sara Robertson, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, director of the DNP program and assistant professor at the UofL School of Nursing. “They are prepared to transform health care by applying the latest in evidence-based research into practice. This will improve population health and health care delivery.”

The doctoral program is designed for students with a bachelor’s or a master’s degree in nursing, focuses on creation and implementation of evidence-based care, management of care, leadership in health care organizations and development of health policy.

The School of Nursing offers advanced practice nursing specialties in adult-gerontology primary care, adult-gerontology acute care, family medicine, neonatal care and psychiatric care.

Meanwhile, upper division bachelor of science in nursing students will take part this month in a transition ceremony where undergraduate students begin the clinical curriculum and transition into the profession of nursing. The event is Aug. 25 at 2 p.m. in the Student Activities Center (SAC), Ballroom, 2100 S. Floyd St.

The UofL School of Nursing Owensboro extension program also will host a transition ceremony on Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. (EDT) at Owensboro Regional Hospital, Building B Auditorium, 1201 Pleasant Valley Rd., Owensboro, Ky.