3:00pm | California State University, Long Beach may begin planning for a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) pilot program to launch as early as fall 2012, pending approval by the California State University (CSU) Board of Trustees at their meeting on January 25 and 26. CSULB is among five other California State University campuses that will participate in the pilot program.
The CSU Board of Trustees will also consider allowing CSULB to begin planning to offer Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs. Trustee approval would allow the Long Beach campus to develop proposals for programs to launch as early as summer 2012. CSULB is among four other campuses to offer this degree.
The CSU released a statement stating that the U.S. Bureau of Health Professionals projects California will have a shortfall of more than 100,000 nurses in ten years. A key challenge to closing this projected shortfall has been a limited number of slots available in California nursing programs, which is tied to a limited number of individuals qualified to serve as nursing faculty.
Due to California’s pressing need for nursing faculty, the state adopted AB 867 (2010) that allowed the CSU to offer an independent DNP. The CSU already awards 60 percent of bachelor’s level nursing degrees in California, and has several excellent master’s level programs.
“The DNP represents the extent to which California’s health – economically and medically – is directly tied to the education provided to CSU students,” said CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed in the press release. “By offering top quality and affordable degree programs, the CSU will help build the pipeline to fill the ranks of nursing faculty.”
Each DNP program is subject to the chancellor’s approval and determination of need and feasibility, and must demonstrate that qualified faculty, financial support, facilities, and information resources are sufficient to establish and maintain the programs. Prior to chancellor approval, programs will seek professional and regional accreditation, as well as the recommendation of the California Postsecondary Education Commission.