Emory Hospital: Nurse Practitioners' Vital Role

Emory University's Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing offers a range of programs to prepare nurse practitioners for various specializations, including family practice, emergency care, women's health, and pediatrics. The school is accredited by multiple organizations and has partnerships with other universities and healthcare systems, such as Oglethorpe University and Emory Healthcare, to provide diverse educational and career opportunities for its students. Graduates of Emory's nursing programs are well-prepared to sit for various certification exams and pursue careers in their chosen fields, with clinical sites including Grady Memorial Hospital, Emory University Hospital, and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. The university also offers flexible programs, such as the Distance-Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing, to accommodate students with different needs and backgrounds.

Emory University Hospital is Magnet-designated

Emory University Hospital is a part of Emory Healthcare, the most comprehensive academic health system in Georgia. In July 2023, the hospital achieved its third Magnet designation for nursing excellence, the highest national honour for professional nursing practice. The Magnet Recognition Program recognises hospitals for elevating patient care in an environment where nurses, supported by interprofessional teams, also flourish.

The hospital first received Magnet recognition in 2014, with its second recognition following in 2018. Emory University Hospital is one of only 12 Magnet-recognised organisations in Georgia and one of only 10% of hospitals in the US to have achieved this distinction. To achieve initial Magnet recognition, organisations must pass a rigorous and lengthy process that demands widespread participation from leadership and staff.

Emory University Hospital has 791 licensed beds, including 82 beds at Emory University Hospital at Wesley Woods. More than 1,000 nurses staff these two facilities. A health care facility must reapply for Magnet designation every four years, followed by a thorough site visit to demonstrate patient outcomes through collaborative nursing practice accomplishments. Emory University Hospital outperformed the benchmark numbers in the ambulatory setting related to falls with injury and surgical errors on 100% of the hospital outpatient units for the majority of eight quarters.

Emory Healthcare is the only health system in Georgia with six Magnet-designated hospitals as well as the first and only in Georgia with a Magnet-designated ambulatory practice. In 2025, Emory University Hospital Midtown received its first-ever Magnet designation. Emory Decatur Hospital/Emory Long-Term Acute Care also received its first Magnet designation in 2025. Emory Saint Joseph's Hospital has been recognised as a Magnet hospital since 1995 and earned its seventh consecutive Magnet designation in 2023, making it the first community hospital in the world to earn seven consecutive designations.

Emory offers a Family/Emergency Nurse Practitioner program

Emory University's Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing offers a rigorous Family/Emergency Nurse Practitioner program. The program is designed to prepare nurses for fast-paced emergency care settings and provide healthcare to patients of all ages in emergency and primary care environments.

The curriculum spans seven semesters and is exclusively a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) format. It requires prior experience in emergency nursing, disaster/crisis management, military service, or related work experience. The program offers students over 700 clinical hours, including training in advanced procedural skills such as suturing, x-ray and ECG interpretation, and trauma and cardiac resuscitation. Clinical sites include emergency and primary care settings within the metro Atlanta area, Grady Memorial Hospital, Emory University Hospital, and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, among others.

The Family/Emergency Nurse Practitioner program provides a rich variety of primary healthcare experiences. Students have the opportunity to work with diverse populations, including rural, migrant, and urban communities, and gain experience in various specialty areas, such as endocrinology, cardiology, neurology, and orthopedics.

Upon completion of the program, graduates are prepared to sit for several certification exams, including the Family Nurse Practitioner Board-Certification (FNP-BC) exam and the Emergency Nurse Practitioner certification (ENP-C) exam. Graduates are well-equipped to work in trauma centers, urgent care, and emergency settings, providing care for both adult and pediatric patients.

The Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing at Emory University is committed to providing high-quality educational programs that meet the highest standards and address the evolving needs of the nursing profession.

Emory's nursing school is ranked highly

Emory University's Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing is a global leader in nursing education and leadership. The school is committed to educating visionary nurse leaders and scholars. The nursing school has been ranked highly in several categories by U.S. News & World Report. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is ranked as the best in the nation, and the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program is also ranked first. The graduate program is ranked first, the BSN program third, and the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program eighth. The school has also been recognised as a Centre of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League of Nursing.

The nursing school offers a range of programs, including undergraduate, master's, doctoral, and non-degree options. The MSN programs offer flexibility, with both full-time and part-time formats available. The doctoral degree programs prepare advanced nurse leaders, with a range of specialisations available. The school also offers a PhD program with a research focus.

The Family Nurse Practitioner program offers students the opportunity to gain multidisciplinary experience in both classroom and clinical settings. Students can work with diverse populations, including rural and migrant communities, and in urban private practice settings. The program includes more than 600 hours of directly supervised clinical practice, focusing on acute episodic problems and long-term management of stable chronic diseases.

The Family/Emergency Nurse Practitioner program is a rigorous seven-semester curriculum that builds on prior experience in emergency nursing, disaster/crisis management, military service, or related fields. The clinical portion includes advanced procedural skills training, such as suturing, X-ray and ECG interpretation, and trauma and cardiac resuscitation. Graduates of this program are prepared for certifications and to work in trauma centres, urgent and primary care, and emergency settings.

Emory University maintains high standards through accreditation processes at the university level and across its colleges and schools. The Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing is accredited by multiple organisations, ensuring that its educational programs meet the highest standards.

Emory offers a Women's Health/Gender-Related Nurse Practitioner program

Emory University's Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing offers a Women's Health/Gender-Related Nurse Practitioner program. This program prepares students to take the national Women's Health Nurse Practitioner Exam from the National Certification Corporation (NCC). The curriculum focuses on the primary health care needs of women from adolescence through their advanced years, with an emphasis on promoting and maintaining wellness.

The Women's Health/Gender-Related Nurse Practitioner program at Emory has a particular focus on meeting the needs of those disadvantaged by gender or sexual health inequities. Emory WHGRNP students have the unique opportunity to receive specialized training in forensic nursing and meeting the needs of patients who are survivors of violence. They are required to complete 630 hours of directly supervised clinical practice, which offers diverse learning opportunities in hospital and outpatient settings. These clinical sites include family planning, student health, public health, HIV, breast, urogynecology, hormone, and infertility clinics.

The program also offers multidisciplinary experiences in both classroom and clinical settings, allowing students to work with rural, migrant, and urban populations, as well as in private practice settings. Emory's nationally certified faculty members engage in both clinical practice and research, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared for their future careers.

The Women's Health/Gender-Related Nurse Practitioner program is just one example of how Emory Hospital utilizes nurse practitioners to provide specialized care and improve access to healthcare for diverse populations. Emory University also offers various other nursing programs, including family nurse practitioner and emergency nurse practitioner tracks, to ensure that their educational programs meet the highest standards and address the needs of the nursing profession.

Emory's Internal Travel Nursing Program allows nurses to work in hospitals in the metro-Atlanta area

Emory University's Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing offers a variety of programs for prospective nurses, including those who reside outside Atlanta's metro area. Emory's Internal Travel Nursing Program is one such program that allows nurses to work in hospitals located in the metro-Atlanta area while enjoying the stability of working for a trusted healthcare system in Georgia. The program provides nurses with the flexibility to travel between hospitals within the region.

The Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing has been ranked highly by U.S. News and World Report, reflecting its commitment to providing high-quality nursing education. The school has also been accredited by multiple organizations, ensuring that its educational programs meet the highest standards.

In addition to the Internal Travel Nursing Program, Emory offers other programs that cater to diverse student needs. For instance, the Distance-Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (DABSN) program allows distance learners with a previous bachelor's degree to earn a nursing degree in just three semesters. This program is designed for those who live outside Atlanta's metro area and provides an accelerated pathway to becoming a Registered Nurse (RN).

Another option is the Master of Nursing (MN) program, which enables students with bachelor's degrees in other disciplines to earn a BSN in 15 months and then immediately begin MN coursework. This program offers a seamless education-to-practice pathway, providing graduates with the opportunity to be hired by Emory Healthcare and work within its hospital system.

Emory Healthcare, including its hospitals, values its nurses as integral members of interprofessional teams. The organization has redesigned its nursing compensation structure to support and compensate its nurses, reflecting their importance in providing world-class patient care. Emory Healthcare has multiple Magnet-designated hospitals, recognized for their nursing excellence, professionalism, teamwork, and superior patient care.

Overall, Emory's Internal Travel Nursing Program offers nurses the unique opportunity to work in hospitals across the metro-Atlanta area while being part of a trusted and highly-regarded healthcare system. The university's nursing school provides a range of programs that cater to diverse student backgrounds and career goals, ensuring a well-rounded nursing education and opportunities for professional growth.

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