Designed for experienced nurses seeking to elevate their practice, the post-MSN Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program, established at the School of Nursing in 2015, equips students with the skills to translate evidence-based research into real-world health care solutions.
With a curriculum that emphasizes leadership, quality improvement and health policy, the School of Nursing’s DNP program prepares nurse leaders to drive meaningful change in patient care and health care systems.
According to DNP Director Stephanie Key, DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC, the vision and mission of the program is to provide a terminal degree for advanced nurses in areas of leadership, clinical expertise and improving patient outcomes at a system level.
“One factor that makes us different is that we are a hybrid program, and so students get to know faculty and their advisors on an individual basis with our face-to-face, on-campus intensives,” Key said. “Our program focuses on mentorship and individualized areas to advance clinical leadership in specialization within a student’s interest area.”
Preparing to Lead
For DNP student Jennifer Barnes, MSN, FNP-C, pursuing this degree has been a long-held personal goal, driven by her commitment to continually evolve and grow as a nurse.
“The DNP program has expanded my understanding of the numerous opportunities to enhance our health care system,” Barnes said. “Whether focusing on rural, underserved populations, large metropolitan health care systems, community health quality improvement initiatives or academic leadership and research, there are countless possibilities for a DNP-prepared individual.”
Barnes’ personal mission is to improve the delivery and management of care for women in the menopausal transition. Through the DNP program, she has been equipped to identify gaps in care and develop her scholarly project—a requirement of the program—which she plans to publish in an academic journal. Her work aims to contribute to advancing care and research in this critical area of women’s health.
The DNP program’s objectives emphasize integrating nursing science with ethical, biophysical and organizational principles to enhance patient-centered care and health outcomes. The program fosters evidence-based practice, policy implementation and nursing scholarship while promoting quality and safety initiatives. Students develop expertise in interprofessional collaboration, systems-based problem-solving, informatics and health care technology. Additionally, the program nurtures professionalism, leadership and lifelong learning, ensuring graduates are well-prepared to drive innovation and excellence in advanced nursing practice.
Growing to Meet Demand
Starting in 2026, all of the School of Nursing’s advanced practice programs will transition to DNP programs. This change addresses the growing demand for nurses to practice at the highest level and meet the increasing complexity of patient care. As part of this transition, clinical hours will be increased, providing students with more hands-on experiences.
“We have people from a variety of backgrounds coming to UT, and the discussions become much richer when practitioners, administrators and educators come together to talk about problems and figure out how we can all collaborate to find solutions,” Key added.
The program continues to draw passionate professionals dedicated to advancing the nursing profession.
Enrollment in the DNP program has surged, with applications rising significantly. From 2024 to 2025, enrollment increased by an impressive 63 percent.
“Being in a classroom full of colleagues who are passionate and driven to innovate and change health care in different ways is an incredible experience,” Barnes added. “When combined with the expertise of the DNP faculty and the support of mentors, the result is both highly stimulating and inspiring to be a part of.”
Barnes highlighted that the program prioritizes the dissemination of research findings and best practices to improve patient outcomes. By bridging the gap between evidence-based research and clinical practice, the program ensures that advanced nursing knowledge translates into real-world impact.
Key strategies for achieving this include publishing in peer-reviewed journals, presenting at professional conferences, engaging in community education and shaping health policy at local, state and national levels.
Nurses Driving Change
As the nation’s largest health care profession, nurses are well positioned to shape health policy at every level.
According to Barnes, nurses can engage at multiple levels to share information and experience in nursing with policymakers.
“As future nurse leaders, we must advocate and grasp our role in health policy development,” Barnes said. “Understanding state and federal legislative processes will help position stronger nurse leaders to engage with state representatives effectively.”
In March 2025, Barnes attended the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Student Policy Summit, a two-day conference in Washington, D.C., designed for nursing students from AACN member institutions. The summit centers on the federal policy process and the role of nursing advocacy in shaping health care.
“Each nurse, as a representative of the patient populations they serve daily, holds the potential to advocate for policy reform within their communities and organizations,” Barnes said. “A comprehensive understanding of the legislative process, along with active participation in local and state nursing organizations, is crucial for addressing practice gaps at all levels.”
Barnes said she has made it her mission to learn how to drive meaningful change within her community, as well as at the state and national levels. By building on the objectives of the DNP program, she aims to become a more effective change agent and leader. Additionally, she plans to connect with like-minded student leaders to deepen her understanding of how she can influence health policy.
Key highlighted that some students have successfully changed the culture within organizations by advocating for policy shifts and offering valuable support.
“Our graduates have the confidence to serve on boards, be a voice for the nursing profession and advocate for better health care outcomes for communities and populations,” Key concluded.