In the process of achieving a milestone in nursing education, Amy Drake Boitnott (Nurs ’09) designed a program that could benefit legions of children and families.

Boitnott recently became the commonwealth of Virginia’s first Doctor of Nursing Practice when she completed her program at the U.Va. Nursing School.

“The DNP represents the highest level of nursing practice,” said Nursing School Dean Dorrie Fontaine in awarding the degree.

Unlike a Ph.D., which focuses on pure research, the Doctor of Nursing Practice uses evidence-based research to develop interventions intended to improve clinical practice. Boitnott focused on childhood obesity, which affects one in five children in the U.S., and devised a series of sessions with parents aimed at improving the quality of family life through increased physical activity and proper nutrition.

The current shortage of nurses and nursing faculty underlines the importance of U.Va.’s DNP program, which nurtures those who will educate and serve as mentors and models for nurse clinicians, says Fontaine.

Comments

• Cindi Colyer Allen on July 22, 2009

  Again, the University of Virginia School of Nursing has distinguished itself as a leader in the Commonwealth, the nation and our world.  Kudos to Amy Boitnott for her accomplishments and contributions to nursing, and for being Virginia’s first DNP graduate!  You make me proud to be a UVa School of Nursing alumna!!

• Brenda Reed on June 20, 2010

  Amy, My name is Brenda Reed and I am currently working on my DNP.  Childhood obesity is a passion of mine.  I would love to read you capstone on Childhood obesity.  I am excited that more action and attention is being given to this important topic.  Thank you, Brenda Reed RN,MSN, FNP-C

• Sandy Blizzard Tripp, DNP, FNP, CS on May 09, 2011

  Amy and Brenda, I have just finished the DNP at Duke in NC with a Capstone project “Childhood Obesity”.  We should network together.

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