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Welcome to MECDNP

In 2009, a statewide consortium pinned Mississippi Educational Consortium for the Doctorate of Nursing Practice was established. The consortium consists of the schools of nursing from Alcorn State University, Delta State University, Mississippi University for Women, University of Mississippi Medical Center and University of Southern Mississippi. In addition, annual meetings for doctor of nursing practice (DNP) faculty and students across the state provide opportunities for networking, scholarship and review of curricula and other program issues.

The milestones accomplished by MECDNP to date include:

• Statewide faculty and practice-mentor development in cultural competence, health literacy and patient safety;
• Faculty, student and practice-mentor development in informatics for evaluating practice outcomes during the first DNP Leadership Institute in 2012 with continual annual Institutes;
• Course content and expertise shared across MECDNP institutions (a pilot-project toolkit for population health);
• Recruitment and retention of post-masters DNP students through early-entry DNP curriculum.

The model for this statewide, collaborative education is one that can easily be replicated in other rural areas across the nation. It would be applicable to any program needing to conserve scarce resources and avoid duplication of services with maximum benefit for the health of the populations served. (Supported by HRSA grant D09HP22638)