Johns Hopkins School of Nursing launches DNP/PhD dual degree program

The Johns Hopkins School of Nursing has launched a new Doctor of Nursing Practice/Doctor of Philosophy dual degree program that combines the competencies and practice opportunities of the DNP degree with the clinical research and scientific rigor of the PhD.

The program aims to develop nurses whose research and practice are intimately interconnected. Graduates will be prepared to conduct clinical research, teach, mentor, and implement innovations to improve patient outcomes.

"This is an opportune time in health care for nurses to receive such a degree," says Patricia Davidson, dean of the School of Nursing. "Nurses are at the forefront of leadership, and the demand for more highly qualified nurses is evident with the rise of chronic diseases, aging populations, and complex health system issues. This new degree meets the demands and will prepare nurses to find and implement solutions that will improve the future of care."

Through the five-year curriculum, students will have the opportunity for mentorship from both DNP- and PhD-prepared faculty; guidance in clinical placements and development of an evidence-based practice project; and residencies in teaching, clinical competency, and research.

As a hallmark of the program, students will work with clinical preceptors to manage the health care of more than 25 patients over a 12-month period. This extended time will facilitate mastery of clinical skills while allowing students to collect, analyze, and disseminate research directly within the clinical practice setting.

"There are so many unique facets and advantages to this degree," says Jason Farley, an associate professor at the School of Nursing and the DNP/PhD program director. "The coursework takes five years to complete, which is significantly shorter than most current courses of study for both degree programs, and it speaks directly to national needs for clinical investigators and ... recommendations for more doctorally prepared nurses."

The application process is set to open in late August for Summer 2018, and those with a prior nursing degree are eligible to apply. For more information, visit the DNP/PhD program overview at nursing.jhu.edu.