BSN to DNP Education: Lessons Learned
In 2004, AACN recommended that the practice doctorate be the graduate degree for advanced nursing practice preparation, supporting BSN to DNP education. Barriers and facilitators to achieving this recommendation have been identified as reported in the Rand Report, "The DNP by 2015". This webinar presents one college of nursing's lessons learned over six years in addressing the common issues in the planning, implementation and ongoing quality improvement in BSN-DNP education. Issues presented include: administrative, faculty, student and practice buy-in; cost and budgetary concerns; faculty resources; clinical resources; and the unique characteristics of the BSN to DNP student.
NOTE:This webinar is open to everyone including non-members, communities of interest, practice representatives, and AACN member schools including deans, faculty, staff and students
Webinar Speakers
Cynthia McCurren, PhD, RN
Dean and Professor
Grand Valley State University, Kirkhof College of Nursing
Grand Rapids, MI
Dr. Cynthia McCurren is Dean and Professor at the Grand Valley State University Kirkhof College of Nursing in Grand Rapids, MI. Previously, she was Interim Dean, Associate Dean, and faculty for the School of Nursing, University of Louisville in Kentucky. Her teaching experience includes teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels, with primary focus on adult/older adult nursing, pathophysiology; and graduate research. Contributions to nursing scholarship include serving as the Director of Nursing Research for five years at the University of Louisville Hospital; and funded research in the areas of delirium and depression among hospitalized elders and nursing home residents. Dr. McCurren participated in the Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s Health Professions Education Collaborative, and is a Fellow in the National Academies of Practice. Professional service includes membership/participation in AACN, ANA, MNRS, STTI, and numerous West Michigan and Michigan nursing forums and advisory committees; and as a member of the Executive Committee of the Michigan Organization of Nurse Executives. Currently she serves as a Board Member-at-Large for the AACN Board of Directors; Chair of the AACN Membership Committee; and AACN Legislative Liaison for Michigan.
Dianne Conrad, DNP, RN
Assistant Professor
Grand Valley State University, Kirkhof College of Nursing
Grand Rapids, MI
Dr. Dianne Conrad is a Family Nurse Practitioner with Cadillac Family Physicians, PC and is Board Certified in Advanced Diabetes Management and a certified diabetes educator. She is also an Assistant Professor at Grand Valley State University’s Kirkhof College of Nursing, a track coordinator in their DNP program. She is a recognized and published authority in the DNP education and practice as well as the use of nursing and informatics in the primary care patient-centered medical home. Dr. Conrad was elected to Distinguished Fellowship in the National Academies of Practice and the Nursing Academy as a Distinguished Practitioner & Fellow in 2014. This year Dr. Conrad was recognized as a nurse practitioner leader by AACN, named to the Competency-Based Education for Doctoral-Prepared APRNs Work Group. In addition to receiving the DNP degree from Madonna University, she received a post-master’s certificate for her nurse practitioner study at Michigan State University. She has master’s and BSN degree from Northern Illinois University and a diploma in nursing from St. Joseph Hospital in Joliet, IL.