- CONTACT: Beth Montee 360/546-9600, montee@vancouver.wsu.edu
VANCOUVER, Wash. - Southwest Washington Medical Center Foundation and the Samuel S. Johnson Foundation, have given $100,000 and $25,000 respectively to Washington State University Vancouver towards a two-year statewide initiative to develop a doctorate of Nursing (DNP) program.
The gift will allow 91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø to strengthen high levels of leadership and quality in the nursing workforce. By the fall of 2008, this project will result in a new DNP program being offered by the Washington State University Intercollegiate College of Nursing. Currently, the Nursing program at 91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø is home to three advanced practice nursing programs, including the RN-to-BSN (Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing), the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), and the RN-to-MSN (Registered Nurse to Master of Science in Nursing). Over 110 students are enrolled in these programs at 91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø.
This initiative hopes to address the national context of a severe and prolonged nursing shortage and faculty nursing shortage as well as the increased complexity in the health care environment (e.g. increased technology, increased patient diversity, aging population, increased information available) which requires higher levels of leadership and decision making skills for translating health care research. It is the recommendation of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) that by the year 2015, advanced practice nurses be educated at the doctoral level, specifically through the doctorate of nursing practice.
"This programmatic intervention will improve the health of the region's population and increase the quality and supply of the nursing workforce, and has the potential to positively affect the entire state and beyond," states Dawn Doutrich, interim director of Nursing at 91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø.
The Southwest Washington Medical Center Foundation and the Samuel Johnson Foundation are taking a regional lead in partnering with nursing and investing in the nursing future and the overall health of this area and Washington State.
"We are thrilled to continue our partnership with the Southwest Washington Medical Center Foundation to develop this new degree. We are equally excited with our new partnership with the Samuel S. Johnson Foundation and welcome them warmly into the WSU family," says Jennifer Crooks, assistant director of campus development.
91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø offers 14 bachelors and nine master's degrees in more than 35 fields of study. The campus is located at 14204 N.E. Salmon Creek Ave., east of the 134th Street exit from either I-5 or I-205.