U.S. News & World Report Places UW–Madison School of Nursing’s Doctor of Nursing Practice Program at No. 1 in the State, and Top 18% Nationwide
By Megan Hinners
The University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Nursing’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program continues to lead, earning the nod as the top program in the state of Wisconsin on the 2021 rankings of the top graduate programs by the U.S. News & World Report.
Nationally, the School ranks at No. 31, landing it in the top 18 percent of programs across the country. The rankings included 170 institutions that qualified for inclusion on the list of DNP program providers. Rankings are determined by U.S. News & World Report based on a weighted average of 14 indicators including quality of assessment, student selectivity, class size, faculty resources, academic expert rankings, and research activity.
“Graduates of our DNP program become leaders in nursing and the community through their advanced practice specialties. They are critical to addressing the workforce demands and health care needs in our state and beyond,” said Dean Linda D. Scott, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FNAP, FAAN. “We are proud to have the quality of the DNP program recognized. It reflects the commitment of our faculty and staff to improving health through excellent nursing education.”
Launched in 2010, the DNP Program at the UW–Madison School of Nursing focuses on further developing clinical expertise in a chosen population area while helping individuals build upon leadership skills to advance their career in nursing and better meet the changing demands of health care. The doctoral-level advanced practice degrees emphasize critical thinking and evidence-based practice, positioning graduates as leaders capable of facilitating organizational change that leads to improved operations, greater workforce satisfaction, increased efficiency, and better patient care. With five separate practice specialties, the DNP provides options for nurse practitioners in adult or gerontological acute care, adult or gerontological primary care, pediatric primary care, or psychiatric mental health, and clinical nurse specialist careers in adult or gerontological populations.
Established in 1924, the School of Nursing at UW–Madison is among the oldest university programs in the country, with a long and distinguished tradition of leadership in nursing education and research. As the leading nursing research institution in Wisconsin, the School of Nursing is frequently ranked among the best undergraduate nursing programs in the country. With graduates working in clinical and public health practice settings in every Wisconsin county, the School of Nursing is a vital pipeline to the state’s healthcare workforce.