The University of North Texas Health MSN in Nursing Practice Innovation (MSN-NPI) is the first program of its kind in Texas designed to prepare nurses to lead meaningful change in healthcare through innovation. The program equips nurses to recognize real-world challenges, design practical solutions, implement improvements within complex systems, and measure outcomes that matter to patients, families, and communities. Innovation picks up where evidence-based practice and research leave off, by tackling critical challenges where research is infeasible or inefficient. A defining strength of the program is its emphasis on innovation as a nursing competency, grounded in competency-based education aligned with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Essentials. It prepares nurses to become the professionals that healthcare systems increasingly seek: nurses who recognize opportunities, unite stakeholders, and turn ideas into better care.

— Nancy Downing, PhD, RN, SANE-A, SANE-P, FAAN, Professor and Program Track Coordinator, MSN-NPI

Unlike many programs that focus primarily on standardized coursework and predetermined assignments, this program empowers students to develop and expand upon their own unique ideas—projects that are often rooted in clinical gaps, community needs, or emerging healthcare challenges. A key differentiator is the individualized, one-on-one faculty mentorship model. Rather than working within a rigid structure, students receive tailored guidance that supports their specific interests, pace, and professional goals. This personalized approach fosters deeper learning, stronger faculty-student collaboration, and more meaningful project outcomes.

— Cheryl Thaxton, DNP, APRN, CPNP, FNP-BC, CHPPN, ACUE, FPCN, FAANP, Associate Dean and Chair of Graduate Education, College of Nursing

Students who apply and enroll have an interest in innovation but often do not fully grasp it until they advance through the curriculum. Nurses have always been innovators but often, their ideas are taken by others and scaled. We are equipping them to innovate and advance their ideas and sit at the tables with industry leaders to find solutions to health care challenges.

— Cindy Weston, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, CHSE, FAANP, FAAN, Founding Dean, College of Nursing, UNT HSC

From the first day of the program, students enter a learning environment centered on possibility, growth, and real-world impact. They join a community of nurses from diverse practice settings who share a common goal: improving healthcare through leadership and innovation. As students progress, they complete a strong core curriculum while also personalizing their education through four courses within one of multiple specialized graduate certificate pathways offered through the University of North Texas Health College of Nursing. Faculty mentors work closely with students to support their goals and help connect coursework to their own practice environments. A signature part of the experience is the capstone practicum, where students partner with healthcare organizations and community agencies to lead meaningful innovation projects. During this phase, students engage stakeholders, implement solutions, solve problems, and evaluate outcomes in real settings. Many students describe this as the moment they fully recognize their ability to influence systems and improve care. By graduation day, students have grown as strategic thinkers, confident leaders, and innovation-minded nurses. They leave with advanced skills, professional networks, and a portfolio of accomplishments that demonstrates their readiness to shape the future of healthcare.

— Nancy Downing, PhD, RN, SANE-A, SANE-P, FAAN, Professor and Program Track Coordinator, MSN-NPI

A signature group project challenged students to design innovative, interactive gaming tools aimed at addressing global health and policy issues. Through this experience, students collaborated to translate complex topics into engaging, user-centered learning experiences. The results were impressive; the groups developed creative gaming products that not only demonstrated strong content mastery but also highlighted their ability to think critically about real-world health challenges. This project exemplifies how the program fosters innovation, teamwork, and the application of knowledge in meaningful and impactful ways.

— Cheryl Thaxton, DNP, APRN, CPNP, FNP-BC, CHPPN, ACUE, FPCN, FAANP, Associate Dean and Chair of Graduate Education, College of Nursing

One moment that has especially stayed with me involved a student who decided to change her project idea at the very start of the capstone course. My first reaction was concern, since students spend the prior semester developing and refining their capstone concepts, including formally pitching their ideas. Yet what happened next was a powerful reminder of why this program matters. The student had grown so much through the program that she no longer felt limited by her original plan. She had developed a bigger vision of what was possible and the confidence to pursue it. Her excitement was contagious, and instead of seeing change as a setback, I saw it for what it really was: evidence of transformation. She was thinking more boldly, aiming higher, and embracing her own potential as a nurse innovator. That moment has stayed with me because it captured exactly what we hope this program inspires.

— Nancy Downing, PhD, RN, SANE-A, SANE-P, FAAN, Professor and Program Track Coordinator, MSN-NPI

The most rewarding moments for me have been seeing students take ideas from concept to real-world application, especially when they improve access to care in so many different areas. Watching them grow into confident MSN Innovative practice clinicians has been especially meaningful.

— Barbara Chapman, DNP, MBA, APRN, FNP-C, EBP-C, NHDP-BE, PMHNP-BC, Associate Professor and Program Coordinator, MSN-NPI TN