FYI: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_714514.html
When Lisa Bratton-Henry graduated from the Shadyside Hospital School of Nursing in 1986 as a registered nurse at age 19, she had no idea nurses could be "doctors."
"Never in a million years," she said.
Now a cardiology nurse practitioner, she was part of the first doctoral class in Carlow University's 81-year history. She and nine others were awarded doctorate of nursing practice degrees during a ceremony Friday night.
About 120 schools nationwide offer the degree program, which was endorsed by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing in 2006. Unlike the older doctoral degree in nursing, which focuses on research as well as defining and developing theory, the doctorate in nursing practice program looks at advancing the practice of nursing and developing the profession's standing.
Carlow's program, which can be completed in 16 months, is not specifically aimed at turning out nursing faculty. However, Clare Hopkins, associate dean and director of the School of Nursing at Carlow, said there's hope some graduates will help ease the nation's critical nursing faculty shortage. In 2009, the national association said nursing schools turned away nearly 55,000 qualified applicants. Two-thirds of the schools cited faculty shortages as a reason.
Carlow's first doctoral class represented a cross-section of the nursing profession, Hopkins said. Some were in management and administration, some in education and some, like Bratton-Henry, in specialty practices.
The Murrysville woman marvels at the world she never imagined as a proud 19-year-old with a white cap.
Eventually, she earned her bachelor of science degree and progressed through a master's program. For the last 10 years, she has worked as a nurse practitioner at the UPMC Cardiology Institute in Oakland, where she traded in her white cap for high heels and suits.
Her doctoral work examined barriers to access to preventive care in underserved rural communities for patients who need help managing cholesterol, blood pressure and other cardiovascular issues. She said her employer is considering ways to reach out to patients in rural areas outside Allegheny County.
"In the course of my studies at Carlow, I was actually promoted. I received a directorship," said Bratton-Henry, 44.
"We practice within our scope. You won't find me in the cath lab putting stents in, but I am credentialed to and capable to handle primary and secondary prevention, things like blood pressure and cholesterol," she said.
"Rather than working for doctors, she's working with them," Hopkins said proudly of her new graduate.
Bratton-Henry said she plans to "pay it forward" for other nurses in her off hours as an adjunct instructor at Carlow's nursing school.
Other graduates included a nurse working for a pharmaceutical company, a hospital chief nursing officer and a nurse practitioner from a rural mental health clinic.
Hopkins said ultimately the graduates will go on to influence the discussion at the national level, where provisions of the new health care law point to increasing roles for nurses in primary care.
When Lisa Bratton-Henry graduated from the Shadyside Hospital School of Nursing in 1986 as a registered nurse at age 19, she had no idea nurses could be "doctors."
"Never in a million years," she said.
Now a cardiology nurse practitioner, she was part of the first doctoral class in Carlow University's 81-year history. She and nine others were awarded doctorate of nursing practice degrees during a ceremony Friday night.
About 120 schools nationwide offer the degree program, which was endorsed by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing in 2006. Unlike the older doctoral degree in nursing, which focuses on research as well as defining and developing theory, the doctorate in nursing practice program looks at advancing the practice of nursing and developing the profession's standing.
Carlow's program, which can be completed in 16 months, is not specifically aimed at turning out nursing faculty. However, Clare Hopkins, associate dean and director of the School of Nursing at Carlow, said there's hope some graduates will help ease the nation's critical nursing faculty shortage. In 2009, the national association said nursing schools turned away nearly 55,000 qualified applicants. Two-thirds of the schools cited faculty shortages as a reason.
Carlow's first doctoral class represented a cross-section of the nursing profession, Hopkins said. Some were in management and administration, some in education and some, like Bratton-Henry, in specialty practices.
The Murrysville woman marvels at the world she never imagined as a proud 19-year-old with a white cap.
Eventually, she earned her bachelor of science degree and progressed through a master's program. For the last 10 years, she has worked as a nurse practitioner at the UPMC Cardiology Institute in Oakland, where she traded in her white cap for high heels and suits.
Her doctoral work examined barriers to access to preventive care in underserved rural communities for patients who need help managing cholesterol, blood pressure and other cardiovascular issues. She said her employer is considering ways to reach out to patients in rural areas outside Allegheny County.
"In the course of my studies at Carlow, I was actually promoted. I received a directorship," said Bratton-Henry, 44.
"We practice within our scope. You won't find me in the cath lab putting stents in, but I am credentialed to and capable to handle primary and secondary prevention, things like blood pressure and cholesterol," she said.
"Rather than working for doctors, she's working with them," Hopkins said proudly of her new graduate.
Bratton-Henry said she plans to "pay it forward" for other nurses in her off hours as an adjunct instructor at Carlow's nursing school.
Other graduates included a nurse working for a pharmaceutical company, a hospital chief nursing officer and a nurse practitioner from a rural mental health clinic.
Hopkins said ultimately the graduates will go on to influence the discussion at the national level, where provisions of the new health care law point to increasing roles for nurses in primary care.