YSU unveils new Doctor of Nursing Practice program

YSU nursingApplication deadline is Aug. 31 for the first group of students in Youngstown State University’s new Doctor of Nursing Practice degree.

The 36-month program of study, in collaboration with the St. Elizabeth Health Center School of Nurse Anesthetists, begins May 2021 with a cohort of 20 students.

“We are proud to be one of seven doctoral level nurse anesthesia programs in the state,” said Nancy Wagner, chair of YSU’s Department of Nursing. “In addition to administering anesthesia, our graduates will create policy, conduct research and become leaders in the field.”

The move from the master’s degree to the doctoral program is in response to a  mandate by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs that all certified registered nurse anesthetist programs transition to a doctoral degree by January 2022.

A joint committee, including Wagner and Valerie O’Dell from the YSU Department of Nursing and Patricia Kostelnak and John Underwood from the St. Elizabeth Anesthesia school, developed the doctoral proposal and curriculum. It was approved by YSU’s internal graduate committees, the YSU Board of Trustees, and multiple agencies, including the Council on Accreditation, the Higher Learning Commission and the Chancellor’s Council on Graduate Studies. Application for the May 2021 class are being accepted until Aug. 31, 2020. Qualified BSN applicants are encouraged to review admission requirements and complete the application.

Since 2001, the YSU’s Nursing program has collaborated with St. Elizabeth to provide students with graduate courses and clinical experiences at hospitals and outpatient facilities, including Mercy Health and Akron Children’s Hospital. The program prepares professional nurses as practitioners of nurse anesthesia eligible for national certification at the conclusion of the program.

YSU also offers Nursing graduate programs in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Education. The department also offers a school nurse licensure program. Questions, contact Wagner at 330-941-1449 or nhwagner@ysu.edu.