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The newest nursing leaders: Inaugural DNP cohort to graduate in December

Graduates of the College of Nursing's Doctor of Nursing Practice program prepared to step into leadership roles
Group photo of DNP cohort and faculty

It’s a proud day when any Aggie nurse graduates, let alone a program’s inaugural cohort. That’s why this December’s commencement and recognition ceremonies may feel especially momentous, as the first students from the Texas A&M University College of Nursing’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program prepare to don their hoods and continue in nursing with brand new credentials.

The advanced DNP degree prepares graduates for practice-based leadership and builds on the experience and education students already hold as professional nurses.

“After graduating the program, students can go into teaching or have new leadership opportunities,” said interim DNP program coordinator Deb O’Briant, DNP, APRN, FNP-C. “If they want to remain in a clinical setting, it teaches them to look for opportunities to improve patient outcomes.”

Jessica Gallegos is part of the 12-student cohort graduating in December. She chose to get her DNP through the Texas A&M College of Nursing partly because she wanted the challenge of an inaugural program but also because of her Aggie husband, who graduated in 2010 and enjoys Aggie camaraderie even in San Antonio.

“I definitely wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself,” Gallegos said. “The connection to Texas A&M and the community has been a wonderful thing for my partner to lean into. I thought it’d be great if I could have that as well.”

Contrarily, fellow DNP student Christopher Joyal had firsthand experience of the Aggie culture. Having already earned his Master of Science in Nursing-Nursing Education from the college, Joyal knew he wanted to return for his DNP.

“I had a great experience getting my master’s at Texas A&M,” Joyal said. “When I heard the DNP program was coming to fruition, I jumped all over it. The professors are phenomenal and they’re always willing to do anything to make us successful.”

Both Gallegos and Joyal affirmed that their fellow students offered each other the support and encouragement Aggies are so known for. They appreciated the flexibility and receptiveness of the professors and enjoyed learning together as they went along.

“It was nice knowing we were all kind of in it together, professors included,” Gallegos said. “It was great how collaborative it was and how we were able to help shape the program for future cohorts.”

With new credentials in their back pockets, professional goals vary from student to student. Joyal, who currently works as director of the neonatal intensive care unit at Driscoll Children’s Hospital in Corpus Christi, Texas, plans to move into senior leadership and incorporate his degree in nursing education by teaching. Gallegos, on the other hand, hopes to take a more active role in policy changes.

“I think having my doctorate will help me be even more validated in my profession,” Gallegos said. “It’s not just limited to what I can do in clinical settings. I also want to have a hand in change at a systems level, and I think my DNP will just give me that confidence to want a seat at those tables.”

As she led this inaugural cohort through the program, O’Briant witnessed the determination and ambition of these students. She is eager to see them cross the stage and venture into the prosperous careers that await them, confident they will achieve great things.

“I’ve loved engaging with the students and teaching them how to think as DNP-prepared nurses,” O’Briant said. “You can see their passion. I see their wheels turning, thinking about what’s next and how they can make things better.”

DNP students will receive their doctoral hoods at the college’s recognition ceremony on Dec. 12 and be conferred their degree at Texas A&M’s commencement the next day.

Media contact: media@tamu.edu

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