Kirkhof College of Nursing faculty member, Dianne Conrad, teaches in the College’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program, however, her influential work does not end there.  She also practices one day a week in a rural northern Michigan Patient Centered Medical Home designated primary care office, serves as a nurse planner for state and national nursing conferences, and is coauthor of a highly-regarded textbook, “The Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Project”, adopted by over half of the nation’s DNP programs and sold in over 19 countries. 

“At KCON, I have the opportunity to intentionally blend teaching, scholarship, service and practice.  Our visionary leaders challenge us to be on the cutting-edge so that our students reach their full potential as nurses,” said Conrad.  She has taught in KCON’s DNP program since 2011.

At her northern Michigan primary care practice, Conrad cares for a panel of patients and provides diabetes management, education and consultation for the five physicians also working in the practice.  Because the closest endocrinologist is 50 miles away, she obtained board certification in Advanced Diabetes Management to ensure access to care is not an issue for patients.  

As a DNP prepared nurse, Conrad’s scholarship focus is on developing the role of the registered nurse in the interdisciplinary Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH), which has helped her own practice become one of the highest rated PCMHs in the state of Michigan.  The second edition of her highly successful coauthored book was published in March of 2016 and continues to impact DNP education, students and faculty, and opens doors at local, state and national levels.    

“Dr. Conrad is an exceptional example of a DNP prepared nurse impacting the future of nursing and our nation’s healthcare system,” shared Cynthia McCurren, dean and professor at KCON.  “KCON’s hybrid DNP program is the only one of its type in West Michigan.  It is truly exceptional because of the remarkable contributions of Dr. Conrad and her esteemed colleagues teaching in the program.”

DNP students at KCON work closely with dedicated faculty to prepare knowledgeable and effective practice doctorates.  Graduates of the program develop innovative roles in the community where evidence-based practice and practice-based knowledge directly influence patient care, health care delivery, the transformation of healthcare and legislative policy. 

“Dr. Conrad is responsive and attentive to the needs of students while challenging them to push beyond what they believe they can be,” shared Katie Alfredson, KCON DNP alumna.  “I am so thankful for her mentorship while I was in the DNP program and for her continued interest in my professional journey.”

KCON’s DNP program is designed for nurses seeking a terminal degree in nursing practice and offers two emphasis areas: Advanced Practice Nursing (Child/Adolescent or Adult/Older Adult) and Health Systems Leadership. The curriculum is consistent with the national agenda to transform American healthcare through interprofessional collaboration, healthcare policy advocacy, patient-centered care, quality/safety initiatives, and use of informatics.

“The most rewarding aspect of my career is to see the difference I have made in people’s lives, be it my patients or students.  To walk their journey with them is a blessing,” said Conrad.

For more information on KCON’s DNP program, visit https://www.gvsu.edu/kcon/doctor-of-nursing-practice-287.htm.