FYI. Also note the DNP program, also: Wilkes nursing school NEPA first | The Times Leader, Wilkes-Barre, PA

Wilkes University on Tuesday became the first college in Northeastern Pennsylvania to establish a school of nursing.

Largely an organizational change, the new school “reflects the program’s commitment to professional nursing education and the comprehensive nature of nursing programs at Wilkes,” according to a release the school issued late Tuesday afternoon.

The move was made at the same time the college is set to launch a new doctor of nursing practice degree. That program’s first class will start this summer, and when it does, Wilkes will become the 92nd school in the nation – and the first in Northeastern Pennsylvania – to offer that degree. There are 600 colleges that offer a nursing program.

“With the launch of the doctor of nursing practice degree … Wilkes assumes a leadership role in nursing education. The school of nursing will focus on excellent clinical training and will emphasize research and nursing scholarship,” Bernard Graham, dean of Wilkes’ Nesbitt College of Pharmacy and Nursing, said.

Mary Ann Merrigan, chair of the nursing department, becomes associate dean of nursing under the new organizational structure.

The new school “reflects the comprehensive nature of nursing education at Wilkes,” Merrigan said. “Nursing education at the university spans all levels, from the entry-level program for undergraduates to the doctor of nursing practice, which is the terminal professional degree.”

The university offers the bachelor of science in nursing degree and the master of science in nursing, which prepares nurses to be certified as clinical nurse specialists in gerontology or psychiatric/mental health nursing, nursing education or nursing management. The new doctoral program will be online to accommodate the needs of busy health-care professionals. Only one week-long residency is required to complete the program.

Those enrolled in the program will be able to choose from three concentrations: gerontology, psychiatric/mental health and nursing management.