A world-class city filled with art and culture and an incredible campus that offers cutting edge resources–that’s what students receive at Penn Nursing. And that’s just the start. Penn Nursing and the wider university offer something for everyone, as well as a lifelong community.

Penn Nursing is globally known for educating dynamic nurses—because our School values evidence-based science and health equity. That’s where our expertise lies, whether in research, practice, community health, or beyond. Everything we do upholds a through-line of innovation, encouraging our exceptional students, alumni, and faculty share their knowledge and skills to reshape health care.

Penn Nursing students are bold and unafraid, ready to embrace any challenge that comes their way. Whether you are exploring a career in nursing or interested in advancing your nursing career, a Penn Nursing education will help you meet your goals and become an innovative leader, prepared to change the face of health and wellness.

Penn Nursing is the #1-ranked nursing school in the world. Its highly-ranked programs help develop highly-skilled leaders in health care who are prepared to work alongside communities to tackle issues of health equity and social justice to improve health and wellness for everyone.

Penn Nursing’s rigorous academic curricula are taught by world renowned experts, ensuring that students at every level receive an exceptional Ivy League education. From augmented reality classrooms and clinical simulations to coursework that includes experiential global travel to clinical placements in top notch facilities, a Penn Nursing education prepares our graduates to lead.

Dr. John Barrett, DNP Faculty, First Nurse Practitioner to Join One-year Certificate Training Program in Advanced Emergency Ultrasonography

Penn Medicine’s Division of Emergency Ultrasound is at the forefront of promoting the use of bedside ultrasound. On July 1st, Dr. John Barrett, senior lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing and faculty for the Penn DNP program, made history by becoming the first nurse practitioner to join a one-year certificate training program in advanced emergency ultrasonography. This significant milestone marks the beginning of a new era in ultrasound training.

July 18, 2023
Barrett, Johbn Barrett, Johbn
Barrett, Johbn

Dr. Barrett received a BSN from Duke University and MSN from University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing’s Family Nurse Practitioner program in 2016. He completed Duke’s DNP Program in 2018 and became a lecturer for Penn Nursing in 2017. He has been a nurse practitioner in emergency medicine at Penn Medicine since 2020.

“Penn School of Nursing’s DNP program leadership team is thrilled that Dr. Barrett has been recognized for his exceptional clinical and practice leadership acumen with his appointment to this training program,” says Dr. Amy Sawyer, Director of the Penn DNP program. “I am not at all surprised by Dr. Barrett’s appointment because John is truly the epitome of leadership in practice. He is an exceptionally brilliant, expert nurse practitioner with a remarkable ability to address systemic practice challenges with innovative, evaluable solutions. Recognition of Dr. Barrett’s practice leadership by Penn Medicine with his appointment as the “first-ever” APRN to the Point-of-Care Ultrasound Training Program truly distinguishes Dr. Barrett as an impactful leader in everyday practice. We look forward to John’s continued exemplary teaching and mentorship of Penn DNP student scholars as they too develop as quintessential practice leaders.”

Bedside ultrasound has been extensively proven to reduce diagnosis time, enhance diagnostic accuracy, and facilitate prompt decision-making in emergency medicine, primary care, and critical care settings. This training program places a strong emphasis on developing expertise in clinician-performed ultrasound, conducting groundbreaking research, and sharing knowledge, thereby paving the way for unprecedented growth and impact.

About his appointment to the training program, Dr. Barrett states, “My experience as a student and faculty member at Penn School of Nursing has fueled my confidence and capabilities as a clinician and educator. Now, as the first nurse practitioner in Penn’s Point of Care Ultrasound program, I’m determined to expand nurse practitioner practice nationwide. My goal is to inspire and empower fellow nurse practitioners, fostering a new generation of leaders and expert practitioners.”