Demystifying the DNP: Programs, Outcomes, Opportunities
Embarking on a new academic degree path requires significant thought and preparation. Choosing a degree path aligned with your goals is critical. The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree is designed to prepare nurses to contribute at the highest level of practice in a variety of nursing specialties. This webinar will feature an overview of the DNP, explore opportunities for program specialization, and discuss the career horizon for those with a practice doctorate.
This Webinar is hosted by the Graduate Nursing Student Academy (GNSA). For more information on the GNSA, visit www.aacn.nche.edu/students/gnsa.
Webinar Speakers
Susan Bindon, DNP, RN-BC, CNE
Assistant Professor, PPEP
University of Maryland
Dr. Bindon earned her DNP, post-graduate teaching certificate, and MS as an Acute Care Clinical Nurse Specialist from the University of Maryland; and a BSN from the University of Pittsburgh.
She is an Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland School of Nursing’s Institute for Educators, and maintains a faculty practice in staff development with the University of Maryland Medical Center. She is the 2016 winner of the AACN Excellence and Innovation in Teaching Award. She presents at various national conferences on topics related to teaching, learning and professional development, and has authored peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. She is an NLN Certified Nurse Educator, and is ANCC certified in Nursing Professional Development. She is currently Co-Editor of the Journal for Nurses in Professional Development.
Shannon Idzik, DNP, CRNP, FAANP
Associate Professor
University of Maryland
Dr. Idzik is an Associate Professor at the University of Maryland School of Nursing. She is currently the Associate Dean of the DNP program. She has been on faculty since 2005 has served as the program director for the Adult Gero NP program and then the Director of the DNP program. She maintains a faculty practice as a nurse practitioner in the University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Medical Center in the Comprehensive CARE Center. She is active in the professional community, serving as a Commission on Collegiate on Nursing Education (CCNE) site evaluator and the nurse from practitioner represented to the regional health information exchange, CRIPS. She has served as an appointed member of Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission Physician Alignment and Engagement workgroup and led recommendation #1 to remove scope of practice barriers for advanced practice nurses on the Maryland Action Coalition on the Future of Nursing for more than five years. Dr. Idzik was recently elected as the Treasurer of the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF). She is a recent past president of the Nurse Practitioner Association of Maryland (NPAM). She was awarded AANP State Award for Excellence in 2012, was selected as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners in 2014 and the NONPF policy award in 2015. Dr. Idzik directed the DNP program during University of Maryland’s BS-DNP transition. She consults nationally with schools implementing DNP programs. She is member of the AACN Task Force on Implementation of the DNP and a lead planner for the national doctorsofnursingpractice.org conference.
Kimberly Udlis, PhD, FNP-BC, APNP
MSN Program Director
Associate Professor
Bellin College
Dr. Udlis has over 16 years of experience as a nurse educator, teaching at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. She is currently the Graduate Program Director at Bellin College in Green Bay, WI, which includes Family Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Educator tracks at the MSN level. Prior to this position, she was the Assistant Director, Advanced Practice Nursing in the graduate nursing program at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh where she coordinated the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and DNP programs. There, she led the implementation of the College’s MSN to DNP program, the University’s first and only doctoral degree, and the development of the BSN to DNP degree with FNP focus program. Dr. Udlis is a practicing, certified Family Nurse Practitioner. She is the Chairperson for the National Organization and Nurse Practitioner Faculties’ Curriculum Leadership Committee and has served on task forces for AACN regarding DNP education including the AACN DNP Implementation task force. She has published and presented nationally on DNP program characteristics, program quality and degree understanding and clarity.