Recognizes National Nurse Practitioner Week
As health care continues to evolve, one constant remains: the trusted presence of nurse practitioners (NPs) in communities across the United States. During National Nurse Practitioner Week, November 8-14, 2026, the LHSON celebrates these health care professionals whose compassion, advanced training and commitment to personalized care help millions of Americans lead healthier lives. National NP Week is held annually during the second week of November to raise awareness of the NP role and honor the exceptional care NPs provide.
We are fortunate at the Baylor University Louise Herrington School of Nursing (LHSON) to have 2,178 nursing students that include 1,171 undergraduate students and 1,000 graduate students across seven accredited Online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs for nurse practitioners, plus our U.S. Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing:
* DNP-Family Nurse Practitioner
* DNP-Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
* DNP-Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
* DNP-Nurse Midwifery
* DNP-Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
* DNP-Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
* DNP-Executive Nurse Leadership
“NPs play a vital role in improving community health,” said Dr. Tanya Sudia, Ph.D., RN, Dean, Baylor University Louise Herrington School of Nursing “Their clinical expertise, combined with their ability to truly listen and connect with patients, ensures that individuals feel seen, heard, and valued throughout their care journey.”
In Texas, NPs are making a daily difference — serving individuals and families through preventive care, routine checkups, chronic condition management and so much more. They take the time to listen, answer questions and tailor care to each patient’s needs — qualities that have earned them one of the highest favorability ratings among all health care providers.
Sixty years after the first NP program launched in 1965, the profession has grown to include more than 461,000 licensed NPs nationwide. Each year, NPs conduct nearly 1 billion patient visits, providing high-quality health services in hospitals, clinics, private practices, urgent care centers and long-term care facilities.
NPs are board-certified, clinically trained health professionals who hold graduate-level nursing degrees and complete rigorous education and certification requirements. They are trusted to diagnose illnesses, prescribe medications, order and interpret diagnostic tests, and coordinate care alongside other members of the health care team. As more people choose NPs for their health needs, local communities are recognizing the value of these compassionate, skilled professionals.