A Disaster Preparedness Focused DNP: Meeting Real-Time National and Global Needs

Advanced practice nurses practice in increasingly complex and challenging health care environments locally, nationally and globally. Our Doctor of Nursing Practice Program focuses on disaster preparedness utilizing knowledge from the sciences and analytic methods. The program draws on the expertise of faculty with disaster training, epidemiology, health systems management and ethics to prepare leaders in times of natural or man-made disasters. The Criteria for Evaluation of Nurse Practitioner Programs is integrated with the Association of American Colleges of Nursing Doctoral Essentials. DNP students receive FEMA certification training through simulated exercises and web-based programs. They also visit and collaborate with key individuals at the New York Office of Emergency Management in their post 9/11 location in Long Island City. In addition, a global course is included which provides learning experiences offered by selected lectures from colleagues at varied health NGO’s connected with the United Nations. Students also become members of the New York City Medical Reserve Corps and complete disaster training programs through this resource. The curriculum provides a holistic educational experience to prepare DNP graduates to understand the importance of researching potential populations in crisis and how best to contribute to preparedness and response to their greatest needs. The participation of the Liberal Arts Faculty in courses such as Ethics expose the students to varied ways of approaching ethical dilemmas in disaster situations. The Projects that have been developed by the doctoral students reflect national and global needs. An example of some programs are: The Active Shooter, What Danger Lurks in Flood Waters, Suspicious Packages and Preparedness for Nuclear Disasters. The students are encouraged to frame their projects through not only a national perspective but also a global one, that will be disseminated and educate all health care providers not matter their role. Recently it has become even more apparent that there is a great need to prepare nurses at this doctoral level for man made and natural disasters.