The result of twenty-five years of innovative curriculum development, our graduate programs in Nursing prepare advanced practice nurses to assume leadership roles in health care. Graduates of these programs are eligible to sit for nurse practitioner specialist certification examinations in their selected specialties.

 

We offer 7 specialty tracks: Family, Pediatric, Psych/Mental Health, Women's Health, Gerontology: Primary Care, Gerontology: Acute Care, and Dual Adult Gerontology/Women's Health.

Family NP Track

Family nurse practitioners (NPs) are traditionally in high demand, thanks to their ability to work in a variety of health care settings. Family NPs can work in a wide range of settings, including primary care clinics, community health centers, urgent care centers, college-based health centers, and specialty practices.

Program graduates are eligible to take the Family Nurse Practitioner exam from either the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. One hundred percent of our graduates passed the ANCC exam in 2020 and 2021.

Meet the Faculty

Kenya D. Palmer Emrich, MS, MSN, FNP-BC, CSCS, HC

Associate Professor, Track Coordinator Family NP Specialty

Jason Lucey, DNP, FNP-BC

Assistant Dean, Advanced Practice Programs, Assistant Professor

Laura Cline, DNP, FNP-BC, CPNP, RN

Assistant Professor

Clara M. Gona, PhD, FNP-BC

Associate Professor

Brenna Morse, PhD, FNP-BC, NCSN, CNE, PMGT-BC, FNASN

Associate Professor

"Boston is the hub of medical care and provides numerous opportunities to have really interesting clinical rotations...I never thought I would have the opportunity to study at a place like The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. It has been an absolutely amazing experience."

Bryan Godduhn-Braaten '18

 

The Family advanced practice nursing specialty prepares you to provide comprehensive wellness, acute, episodic, and chronic care to families and individuals across their life spans.

All applicants are required to submit a complete and verified application through NursingCAS.

Apply Now

Pediatrics NP Track

If you'd like to devote your career to the health and well-being of children, then you should explore the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (NP) specialty. As a graduate of this track, you'll be prepared to: be the principal provider of primary care for patients from birth through young adulthood; deliver well-child and episodic care as well.

Pediatric NPs can work a range of settings, including general pediatric practices, community health centers, outpatient specialty clinics, school-based health centers, teen clinics, boarding school health centers, and pediatric residential facilities.

Program graduates are eligible to take the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board's Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Primary Care examination

Meet the Faculty

Rita Drummond Olans, DNP, CPNP-PC, APRN-BC, FAAN, FNAP

Associate Professor and Track Coordinator for the Pediatric NP Specialty

Mary E. Coughlin PhD, RN, CPNP-PC

Assistant Professor

Jennifer Durning, MSN, CPNP

Instructor

“For a long time I thought I wanted to become a pediatrician. I knew I loved biological and medical sciences and really enjoy teaching. I came to the conclusion that nurse practitioner roles were a perfect combination for my interest in children's medicine, patient contact, and patient education.”

Anthony Lever '19

School of Nursing Programs offering the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner specialty

All applicants are required to submit a complete and verified application through NursingCAS.

Apply Now

Psychiatric/Mental Health Lifespan NP Track

The Psychiatric/Mental Health Lifespan Nurse Practitioner (NP) specialty is designed for students who want to help patients across the lifespan who are facing psychosocial difficulties, mental health problems and/or addiction. As a graduate of this track, you'll be prepared to: assess and diagnose psychiatric and mental health disorders; provide psychotherapy and prescribe medications for diverse populations of people living with mental illness.

Psychiatric/mental health NPs are in great demand and can work in a range of settings, including hospitals, outpatient mental health clinics, residential programs, and psychiatric/counseling private practices.

Program graduates are eligible to take the American Nurses Credentialing Center Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner board certification examination. In 2020, 95% of our graduates passed this exam on first attempt.

Meet the Faculty

Susan Stevens, DNP, MS, MEd, PMHNP-BC

Assistant Professor, Track Coordinator Psychiatric/Mental Health Lifespan NP Specialty

Sheila Swales, MS, RN, PMHNP-BC

Assistant Professor

Danielle T. Walker, MSN, PMHNP-BC

Instructor

Meaghan Rudolph, MS, RN, PMHCNS-BC

Instructor

“I was inspired to become a nurse practitioner after working on two interdisciplinary teams at McLean Hospital…. The flexibility, grace, compassion, and holistic thinking that I saw exemplified by the nurses at McLean Hospital inspired me to take the steps to becoming a Psych Mental Health NP.”

Arturo Lopez-Casanova '19

three women stand together
Meaghan Rudolph, Susan Stevens, Danielle Walker

School of Nursing Programs offering the Psychiatric/Mental Health Lifespan NP specialty

All applicants are required to submit a complete and verified application through NursingCAS.

Apply Now

Women's Health NP Track

The Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (NP) specialty is ideal for students interested in providing primary reproductive health and/or specialty care to female patients ranging from young adults to seniors. Graduates are also prepared to provide sexual and reproductive care to men, and others across the non-binary gender identity continuum.

With a collaborative model for delivering holistic care, this track places special emphasis on gender-focused health assessment and health conditions that are unique to women, with consideration of factors including social determinants of health and other external influences that affect health, such as public policy.

Our students come from a variety of backgrounds. Prior to entering the program, many work in settings serving women, such as domestic violence shelters, research settings or family planning clinics. Some have no clinical experience but majored in women's health or gender studies in college.

Meet the Faculty

Kathryn Atkin DNP, WHNP-BC, ANP-BC

Assistant Professor, Track Coordinator of the Women’s Health and Adult-Gerontology/Women’s Health NP Specialties

Serena Fasano Rosa, DNP, WHNP-BC, MPH, CLC

Assistant Professor

"I was amazed at the advanced curriculum and the nature of evidence-based nursing and research. I loved that the IHP emphasizes compassionate nursing, which is in perfect alignment with how I view nursing practice."

Serena Fasano '18

School of Nursing Programs offering the Women's Health Nurse Practitioner specialty

All applicants are required to submit a complete and verified application through NursingCAS.

Apply Now

Adult-Gerontology (Primary or Acute) NP Tracks

With the U.S. geriatric population projected to double by 2030, there is a growing need for primary care nurse practitioners with expertise in addressing the complex care needs of seniors. The Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (NP) specialty will prepare you for this opportunity.

As a student in this track, you'll learn to: Provide primary care to geriatric patients as well as adolescents (ages 13+), young adults and adults; and Improve quality of life through comprehensive assessment and management of health and illness in the context of individuals, families, health care settings and society.

Adult-gerontology primary care NPs can work in a range of settings, including primary care office-based clinics, primary care clinics affiliated with hospitals or community health centers, specialty practices (e.g. neurology, infectious disease, oncology, orthopaedics), geriatric settings (e.g. long-term care centers, acute rehabilitation facilities, skilled nursing facilities), palliative care settings, college health settings, travel health clinics.

Program graduates are eligible to take the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner certification examination from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. In 2020 and 2021, over 95% of our graduates passed the ANCC exam.

Meet the Faculty

Kathy E. Hall, MS, ANP-BC, NE-BC

Assistant Professor, Track Co-Coordinator Adult-Gero Primary Care NP Program

Antonia Makosky DNP, MSN, MPH, ANP-BC

Assistant Professor, Track Co-Coordinator Adult-Gero Primary Care NP Program

Sara L. Smoller MS, APRN-BC

Assistant Professor

Sarah Rossmassler, DNP, AGPCNP, ANP-BC, ACHPN

Assistant Professor

"I am grateful for every patient experience I have had during my three years at the Institute. Not only have I developed and advanced my clinical skills and knowledge base, but I have also gained a strong understanding of what it means to truly provide care for patients."

Mallory Hillard '18

The demand for acute care nurse practitioners (NPs) is on the rise throughout the United States. The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner specialty will prepare you to excel in this role.

As a student in this track, you'll learn to provide comprehensive, patient-centered, high-quality care to young adults, adults, and seniors. The course of study emphasizes improving quality of life through comprehensive assessment and management of health and illness in the context of individuals, families, health care settings, and society.

Joshua Dion

Meet the Faculty

Joshua Dion, DNP, ACNP-BC, RN-BC

Assistant Professor, Track Co-Coordinator Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP Specialty

Eliezer Bose, PhD, AGACNP-BC

Associate Professor, Track Co-Coordinator Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP Specialty

"I just finished a rotation in Thoracic Oncology at The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and will be returning there for a second semester this Spring. I never thought I'd would have the opportunity to study at a place like the DFCI. It has been an absolutely amazing experience."

Bryan Godduhn-Braaten '18

The Adult-Gerontology Primary and Acute Care Nurse Practitioner tracks prepare students to provide comprehensive patient-centered, quality care to the entire spectrum of adults, including young adults, adults, and older frail adults.

    Direct-Entry Primacy Care Curriculum

    Post BSN Primary Care Curriculum

    Post-MSN Curriculum & Post-NP Curriculum Primary Care

    Direct-Entry Acute Care Curriculum

    Post BSN Curriculum Acute Care

    Post BSN Curriculum Acute Care (Part-Time)

    Post-MSN Curriculum & Post-NP Curriculum Acute Care

     

    All applicants are required to submit a complete and verified application through NursingCAS.

    Apply Now

    Dual Adult-Gerontology /Women's Health NP Track

    The dual Adult-Gerontology Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (NP) specialty is designed for students who want to provide primary care to patients from adolescence through the adult years, with a particular focus on gender-related aspects of health and wellness.

    As a graduate of this track, you'll be prepared to work in non-acute primary care settings and in various women's and reproductive health specialty settings (e.g. OB-GYN, infertility, family planning). Your unique skill set will allow you to bring both breadth and depth to the clinical care of patients, especially those who identify as female or present for care related to their sexual and reproductive health needs.

    Adult-gerontology/women's health NPs can work in a range of settings, including community health centers, health maintenance organizations, private practices, college health centers, Planned Parenthood health centers, and OB-GYN clinics and other specialty clinics.

    Program graduates are eligible to take the National Certification Corporation's Women's Health Care Nurse Practitioner examination and the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner exam from either the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

    Meet the Faculty

    Kathryn Atkin DNP, WHNP-BC, ANP-BC

    Assistant Professor, Track Coordinator of the Women’s Health and Adult-Gerontology/Women’s Health NP Specialties

    Kathy E. Hall, MS, ANP-BC, NE-BC

    Assistant Professor, Track Co-Coordinator Adult-Gero Primary Care NP Program

    Antonia Makosky DNP, MSN, MPH, ANP-BC

    Assistant Professor, Track Co-Coordinator Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP Specialty

    Sarah Rossmassler, DNP, AGPCNP, ANP-BC, ACHPN

    Assistant Professor

    Sara L. Smoller MS, APRN-BC

    Assistant Professor

    "My grandfather was a physician, and I was always inspired by his compassion and dedication toward improving the lives of others...My decision to enter the dual track was twofold; I know that future healthcare shortages will impact accessibility for thousands of aging Americans, and I am really passionate about helping empower women."

    -Lauren Taber '18

    School of Nursing Programs offering the Dual Adult-Gerontology Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner specialty

    All applicants are required to submit a complete and verified application through NursingCAS.

    Apply Now