Shaping Tomorrow’s Nurses: New DNP specialty trains the educators and leaders health care needs most
Across the country, the nurse shortage is jeopardizing people's health and wellness across all ages. But behind this challenge lies another critical issue: a shortage of nursing faculty. With nearly one-third of nursing educators expected to retire in the next five years, the demand for qualified nurse educators has never been higher. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, faculty shortages are the leading barrier to increasing enrollment in nursing programs. In short, without more educators, we cannot train enough nurses to meet the rising demand for care, both nationally and here in Arizona.
To address this critical need, the University of Arizona College of Nursing has launched a new Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) specialization in Nursing Education Leadership (NEL). This new specialty enables licensed nurses with a bachelor’s or master’s degree to earn a terminal degree in advanced nursing practice while developing skills to lead, teach, and inspire future generations. The college has also introduced a new post-master’s certificate in Nursing Education (NE), which prepares graduate nurses to excel as educators in academic and healthcare environments.
Created for nurses seeking to make a lasting impact through education, the DNP-NEL specialty is mostly online and combines evidence-based teaching with innovative leadership. Students explore topics such as nursing theory, statistics, evidence-based practice, health policy and economics, informatics, quality and safety, and population health, while also gaining practical experience through practicums focused on teaching and leadership. Each student completes a DNP project that applies their knowledge to real-world challenges, focusing on quality improvement or program evaluation in nursing education.
“The nursing shortage impacts every community, and addressing it requires more than just increasing enrollment; it calls for empowering the educators who develop future nurses,” said Brian Ahn, PhD, dean of the College of Nursing. “Our new Nursing Education Leadership specialty makes sure that we’re not only meeting today’s demand for nurses but also preparing tomorrow’s leaders in care, compassion, and innovation.”
“I am very excited about our newest DNP specialty in Nursing Education Leadership, which marks an important step in addressing one of the most critical challenges facing our profession as the demand for highly qualified nurse educators continues to grow,” said Lindsay Bouchard, DNP, PMHNP-BC, DNP program director and interim chair of the Advanced Nursing Practice Division. “We are proud to offer a program that prepares nurses not only to teach but also to lead, fostering innovation in how we educate and inspire the nursing workforce of the future. Whether for aspiring or developing nurses in the classroom or clinical settings, those who choose to teach make a meaningful impact by preparing the next generation of nurses and strengthening the health of our communities for years to come.”
“Graduates of the NEL specialty will be prepared to become highly skilled teachers who can demonstrate excellence in implementing and evaluating nursing education across academic programs and continuous professional development in various practice settings,” said Cheryl Lacasse, PhD, RN, interim specialty coordinator for DNP-NEL. “The DNP-NEL specialty offers an exciting opportunity for nurses interested in advancing their nursing knowledge and sharing it with both nursing students and practicing nurses. Graduates of the DNP-NEL will develop essential skills in education and leadership, positioning them as innovative leaders and educators of future generations of nurses and helping to grow the profession.”
Graduates of the DNP–NEL specialty will be equipped to lead confidently as dynamic educators, mentors, and innovators, shaping the future of nursing education in academic, clinical, and community settings. Ranked #17 nationally by U.S. News & World Report, the College of Nursing’s DNP program offers students a top-tier education focused on innovation, leadership, and excellence. The college remains committed to addressing one of healthcare’s most urgent needs by training more qualified nurses to serve our communities and enhance societal health for generations to come. Learn more about how you can join this transformative program.