Texas Wesleyan University is excited to announce its latest new program, the Doctor of Nursing Practice – Family Nurse Practitioner program, which will help fill the gap in the shortage of healthcare professionals in Texas and develop nurses with a renewed focus on patient care that is centered on the whole person. 

“CEOs from hospitals in North Texas tell us that family nurse practitioners are going to continue to play an even more critical role in primary care delivery over the next 10 years,” Allen Henderson, provost and senior vice president, said. “The demand for healthcare professionals is not slowing down. Not only will we help fill this gap, our program will develop nurses on the cutting-edge of relational care.”

Texas Wesleyan’s Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program is focused on developing family nurse practitioners who provide relationship-centered, whole-person healthcare to individuals and families. In addition, the program is designed to prepare students with strategies for self-care to improve their own health and resilience.

“We’re putting the ‘care’ back in healthcare,” Heidi Taylor, Ph.D., RN, dean of the School of Health Professions, said. “We’re adding a strong coaching approach to help patients make the kinds of lifestyle changes necessary to improve their health. We’re also teaching students strategies for self-care to prevent future burnout and stress in this demanding field.”

The new program complements Texas Wesleyan’s reputable nurse anesthesia program, which is the largest in the U.S. with more than 21 clinical sites in 9 states, and its growing counseling program, with more than 120 students serving more than 1,500 clients from Tarrant County each year.

About the program

The Doctor of Nursing Practice – Family Nurse Practitioner program (FNP) will begin accepting applications Oct. 1. It can be completed in as little as three years or as long as seven with online classes and hands-on clinicals. Classes will begin in the Spring of 2018.

Students will master techniques to truly care for their patients and bring integrative approaches to practice. For admissions requirements and to apply, visit  https://txwes.edu/admissions/graduate/dnp-family-nurse-practitioner/.

New graduate programs are part of the 2020 Vision

“Texas Wesleyan is developing new academic programming to meet the demands of the workforce,” President Frederick G. Slabach said. “There is a growing need for family nurse practitioners in Texas and this program will help meet that demand.”

This is the second new graduate program Texas Wesleyan has launched this year. The new online MBA, which is 100-percent online and can be completed in as little as a year, is built for working adults who want to jumpstart their career.

“Our 2020 Vision strategic plan says that we will prepare students to be leaders and advance in professional careers,” Slabach said. “We’re doing just that.”

The Doctor of Nursing Practice - Family Nurse Practitioner program is pending SACSCOC approval.