The first class of students have earned the Doctor of Nursing Practice at the University of Central Arkansas.
Eleven students made up the inaugural class of graduates. UCA held commencement on Saturday, April 30. They are as follows:
- Callie Fletcher of Sherwood
- Patricia Sue Griffith of Sherwood
- Laura C. Hall of Maumelle
- Stacy Eggiman Harris of Advance, Mo.
- Leah Martin of Hector
- Rachel Mayer Myers of Lafayette, La.
- Lacie Ann Petitto of Vinton, La.
- Amy L. Ramick of Lonoke
- Frances Stueben of Lafayette, La.
- Lucy R. Wisemon of Little Rock
- Shannon Lee Woods of Tallahassee, Fla.
UCA was approved for the earned the 36-hour practice-focused program in 2013. These first DNP students began in June 2014. The program is offered as a post-master’s degree. All coursework is offered online, and students engage in advanced clinical training and capstone scholarly projects at practice sites.
Since its establishment in 1967, the UCA Department of Nursing has played a leadership role in nursing education. Three programs are offered, including the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Masters of Science in Nursing and the Doctor of Nursing Practice. Consistently responding to the needs of students, changes in health care and education standards, UCA’s nursing degree programs ensure that students are prepared for a quickly evolving healthcare environment.
