When Dr. Jason Smith dons his cap and gown at Wilmington University’s 53rd annual commencement in June, his wife and three young sons will cheer him on. At ages 8, 5 and 3, the boys don’t realize Dad would stay up studying after tucking them into bed, but they know how proud he is to receive his Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. 

“The importance of education only continues to grow with advanced degrees,” says Dr. Smith, who also earned an MBA from WilmU. “I think there’s so much Wilmington University has to offer, and I’m glad I joined that journey.” 

His journey coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, and courses like Epidemiology for Advanced Nursing Practice and Health Care Economics proved invaluable. While working at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, Dr. Smith set up COVID testing sites, organized vaccination clinics and created business plans to help reduce hospital expenses. 

A DNP degree helps nurses “transition from management thinking to systems thinking,” says Dr. Smith, who now serves as ChristianaCare’s corporate director of medical group operations, emergency services. “It opened up my eyes in terms of being able to not only run a unit but really looking at the hospital as a whole, to really think differently.” 

What Is Competency-Based Education? 

In 2021, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing also shifted its thinking in favor of competency-based education, which focuses on “the desired outcomes for learners rather than the structure and process of the educational system.” As a result, Wilmington University added clinical hours, redesigned its curricula and incorporated new standards — helping motivated nurses take on advanced roles with proficiency and confidence by honing their skills in context. 

“Nurses must be able to advocate and advance health care forward by applying their knowledge and competencies to practice,” says Dr. Aaron Sebach, dean of the College of Health Professions and Natural Sciences. “Competency-based education is directly aligned with our mission at the University to provide exemplary career-oriented programs, prepare students for career development, engage in lifelong learning and improve their competitiveness in the job market.” 

How WilmU Delivers Competency-Based Education 

Whether pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Master of Science in Nursing or a Doctor of Nursing Practice, WilmU students “show what they know” through planned and repeated practice. Expert faculty, who are active health care practitioners, offer feedback and support while allowing nurses to develop competency. 

“At WilmU, we pride ourselves on our ability to provide ‘real-world’ experiences for our students. Competency-based education is a student-focused approach that allows us to continue to provide individual attention to students that promotes their success,” says Dr. Stacey Graves, director of nursing programs. “We are very excited about the potential for this transition to elevate the level of practice for our students and provide them with the tools necessary to be successful in an ever-changing and increasingly complex health care arena.” 

The goal is for nurses to feel empowered, engaged and eager to stay in the profession. Looking forward to a rewarding future, Dr. Smith appreciates the caring guidance he received. 

“Every one of my faculty was present and available during my education,” says Dr. Smith, adding that his WilmU experience “was well worth it.”