DNP Prepares Nursing Program Director for College's National Accreditation Process

AURORA, Colo., June 23, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The current academic environment has expanded the role of nurse educators to go beyond curricula development. Nurse educators now design new education delivery models and map program objectives to outcomes all while navigating new laws, regulations, and industry trends. Advanced education in leadership can provide the tools needed to navigate this challenging landscape.

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So when Texas native Lacey Bass landed a position teaching the RN program at Galen College of Nursing in San Antonio, she knew she needed more than her MSN degree and that more education was in her future. "Education has always been a place where I feel I can shine. It made sense to move in this career direction," she says.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Educational Leadership Specialization
Bass sought a doctorate program that was both practice-focused, and nursing education-focused.

"The DNP Educational Leadership specialization at American Sentinel was clearly the program for me. It's focused on how to be a better educator and how to lead future educators to be the best they can be," says Bass.

The fact that the DNP's curriculum focuses on topics such as accreditation and curriculum development was a highlight for Bass. The technology used for the DNP program delivery reminded her of Galen College of Nursing's commitment to technology. "That's a parallel I see between Galen and American Sentinel: the dedication to innovative methods of online instruction," she says.

Other colleagues from Galen College have followed in Bass' footsteps. The organization established an educational partnership with American Sentinel and currently has several other faculty members enrolled in the DNP program Educational Leadership specialization.

"Our ACEN-accredited DNP program with a specialization in educational leadership is a practice-based, leadership-focused program that prepares program directors, like Lacey Bass, to lead nursing education programs," says Judy Burckhardt, Ph.D., MAEd, MSN, RN, Dean, and Professor of Nursing and Healthcare Management programs at American Sentinel University.

"Our online DNP nursing program is one of a very few ACEN-accredited programs that offer a DNP degree with an educational leadership specialization. Our students are taught by some of the top nurse educators in the nation and surrounded by colleagues who share an education-focused goal."

A Big Promotion
In 2014, Bass became the nursing associate program director at Galen College, a role she felt confident accepting because of her American Sentinel education.

"My doctoral education has prepared me to lead our faculty and prepare Galen for our national accreditation process," Bass says. "Choosing American Sentinel's DNP program is the best thing I ever did."

In her role today, Bass manages all online nursing courses in the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) bridge program and facilitates training of online faculty. 

Opportunities Made Possible
Bass will graduate with the DNP degree with Educational Leadership specialization in June 2016. As a graduate of two online programs and an online educator, 21st-century learning is close to her heart.

"Technology is the great equalizer for me and has made certain things possible that wouldn't be otherwise," she says. "I love teaching and public speaking, but I would struggle in a classroom to hear students when they spoke to me in a ground-based classroom because of a hearing deficit. That is no longer a challenge. Also, I teach students who are no longer limited by geography."

Bass says that online learning adds richness to the student experience, and that's something she knows about firsthand.

"My DNP cohort brought together nurse educators from all across the country," she says. "We shared many of the same experiences and several different ones, and each brought their valuable perspectives. This program changed me as a nurse, educator, leader, and person. I'm very thankful."

A DNP degree with a specialization in educational leadership prepares master's educated nurses for leadership roles in nursing education programs. When new knowledge is acquired, it can be applied to nursing practice in ways that enhance patient care and improve outcomes.

Learn more about American Sentinel University's online DNP program with a specialization in educational leadership at http://www.americansentinel.edu/nursing/dnp-educational-leadership or call 866.922.5690.

About American Sentinel University
American Sentinel University delivers accredited online degree programs in nursing (RN to BSN, RN to BSN/MSN, MSN, and DNP) and healthcare management (MBA Healthcare, M.S. Information Systems Management, and M.S. Business Intelligence and Analytics). Its affordable, flexible bachelor's and master's nursing degree programs are accredited by the Commission for the Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), of One Dupont Circle, NW Suite 530, Washington, D.C., 20036. The DNP program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) of 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, Ga., 30326. The University is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission, DEAC, 1101 17th Street NW, Suite 808, Washington, D.C. 20036, (202) 234-5100, www.deac.org

For required student consumer information, please visit: www.americansentinel.edu/doe

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Reneé Hewitt
Hewitt PR for American Sentinel University
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SOURCE American Sentinel University

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