Nurses bring to outcomes research their experiences in patient care.
Because they are on the frontlines, nurses have become instrumental in determining the best, most cost-effective way to care for patients and have demonstrated it in the way they care for the patients. Managed care has also opened the door to opportunities for nurse practitioners. The UT-Houston School of Nursing offers 11 specialized nurse practitioner tracks, among which is the nation's only emergency care nurse practitioner program. The school also has the state's only clinical doctoral program, now in its second year with 14 enrollees. Many nurses receive their degrees, get their experience and possibly pursue an advanced degree, explains Dean Starck.