The University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Nurse Anesthesia program has secured a remarkable No. 2 (tie) ranking by U.S. News & World Report in the 2024 “Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice,” according to rankings released April 9. This achievement is a testament to the program's excellence and makes us the #1 civilian program on the list.
“I am very pleased by this ranking and believe it is a testament to the excellence of our faculty, students, preceptors, alumni, and clinical partners. I am perhaps most proud that we are part of a very small group of programs to be ranked in the top ten by US News since 1998, the year Nurse Anesthesia Programs were first ranked,” said Program Director John M. O’Donnell, DrPH, CRNA, FAAN, FAANA. O’Donnell has led the Pitt Nurse Anesthesia Program since 1994.
For the first time, the rankings also recognize the success of our DNP Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program, ranked at No. 5.
“It is an honor and privilege to receive this recognition and to be ranked among the best DNP-PMHNP programs in the country,” said Dr. Brayden Kameg, Coordinator of the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Area of Concentration program. “It reaffirms our commitment to promoting the DNP, which positions our DNP-PMHNP alumni as not only clinical experts but also leaders in psychiatric nursing regionally and nationally. Additionally, our faculty has made significant revisions to our curriculum within the past year to provide the highest-quality, cutting-edge educational content and clinical experiences to our students, and this work has been reflected in these most recent rankings. Further, our program is successful because of the commitment of our excellent preceptors who are invested in the growth and professional development of our students. Most importantly, however, this ranking reflects the hard work of our students and alumni, who have committed themselves to advancing their knowledge and expertise to meet the mental health needs of individuals both regionally and nationally.”
Overall, the Pitt DNP program secured a No. 11 (tie) ranking, once again recognized as a top graduate nursing program in the country.
“We are honored to be recognized for our dedication to shaping the future of nursing leadership,” said Dean Christine E. Kasper, PhD, FAAN, FACSM. “Our faculty, many of whom are national leaders and hold national offices or are Fellows in their professional organizations, provide students with the educational foundation needed to conduct evidence-based practice, engage in scholarly activities, and translate knowledge to improve healthcare delivery. These rankings attest to our unwavering commitment to excellence.”
The School of Nursing DNP program received an overall score of 85 out of 100. The rankings are based on 14 indicators, including quality assessment, faculty resources, DNP student selectivity, DNP program size, and research activity.