Nursing student smiling

Nursing leadership conference to demonstrate broad opportunities for professionals and students

Established and aspiring nursing leaders and students at any level are invited to attend “Today’s DNP: Taking the Lead on the World Stage,” a conference highlighting international opportunities for nursing professionals, presented by the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing.

The nursing school will host the conference Aug. 12-13.

The conference will explore the impact of the Doctorate of Nursing Practice on global nursing through lectures, panel discussions and research presentations. A full conference schedule and details can be found at nursing.case.edu/dnp-conference.

Speakers—including educators, executives and entrepreneurs—will demonstrate how their careers have grown with the DNP degree and share the many opportunities available in nursing leadership worldwide.

“This is a one-of-a-kind chance to network and learn more about how nurses can take a seat on the global stage,” said Joyce Fitzpatrick, the Elizabeth Brooks Ford Professor of Nursing at the nursing school, as well as its dean from 1982-97.

“With the Zika virus and other infectious diseases, no one is isolated. In this emerging environment, nurses are at the forefront of health care leadership,” Fitzpatrick added.

Attendees can register through today (Aug. 10) at nursing.case.edu/dnp-conference/register/.

Conference highlights will be:

  • Keynote speaker Judith Shamian, president of the International Council of Nurses, which represents nurses from more than 130 countries, will present the Rozella Scholtfeldt Memorial Lecture;
  • Panels will be presented by nearly 30 national experts on topics including “DNP as Clinician,” “DNP as Executive,” “DNP as Innovator” and global nursing leadership;
  • Numerous networking opportunities;
  • Presentation of Schlotfeld Prizes, awarded to top research posters;
  • Reception at the Cleveland Botanical Gardens; and
  • Endnote speech by Mary Terhaar, professor and associate dean for nursing academic affairs at the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing.

The DNP degree allows nurses to build on their clinical expertise and expand their education in doctoral-level leadership and research. Graduates apply their education and expertise in leadership roles on the front lines of nursing, in clinical practice, administration, teaching and research, and health policy design and development, Fitzpatrick said.

The nursing school’s DNP program ranks fifth nationally by U.S. News & World Report.

In 1979, the nursing school created the first DNP program, a degree now recognized by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing as the highest level of preparation for clinical nursing.