MEDIA RELEASE

The University of Hawaii Board of Regents approved at its May meeting a Doctorate of Nursing Practice program at the University of Hawaii at Hilo School of Nursing.

The new program will begin August 2012 for post baccalaureate students and will be open to post masters-level students in 2013.

“The UH Hilo School of Nursing is responding to the concerns of our community and has worked diligently to improve community access to quality healthcare in Hawaii,” said Dr. Kay Daub, director of the school of nursing.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a doctoral degree for nurses at the highest level of nursing practice. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) has proposed that the DNP degree will be the level of entry for all advanced practice nurses by 2015.

“The focus on rural and transcultural health will encompass training for practitioners that spans the entire life cycle from birth through death,” Daub said. “The program will also focus on rural problems to improve healthcare in our medically underserved community that includes western and indigenous health practices.”

For more information, call the UH Hilo School of Nursing at (808) 974-7761.