John Van’s favorite part of the workday is the time he spends talking with patients and families in an Austin intensive care unit (ICU).

“Sometimes all patients need is someone to hear them, to calm their nerves,” said Van, RN, BSN, who says a prayer for himself and his patients before every shift. “In the ICU, patients may sometimes be ventilated and unable to communicate. Talking to their families, ensuring they know what’s going on, and comforting them is just as important.”

A desire to make meaningful connections with those he cares for led him to advance his education on the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth Houston.

A native of Pflugerville near Austin, Van took lots of dual credit courses in high school and received a generous private scholarship that pays for up to eight years of higher education. He graduated early with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from St. David’s School of Nursing at Texas State University in Round Rock.

Van has worked at Ascension Seton Medical Center Austin since graduating in 2023. In that time, his unit evolved from intermediate care to intensive care.

“Working in an ICU setting, I cared for many critically ill patients, which showed me the monumental importance of prevention, education, and early intervention,” he said. “I was drawn to family practice because I want to help patients stay healthy and address their needs and problems before they become serious issues.”

Van considered his options and settled on Cizik School of Nursing for graduate studies based on recommendations from co-workers and the rigor of the DNP program. He considered the school’s well-respected BSN to DNP Nurse Anesthesia and Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner tracks but decided that FNP would best suit his lifestyle, career goals, and personality.

“With family practice, I really get to talk to my patients and understand them,” he said. “I want to treat the patient as opposed to just treating the disease.”

The DNP FNP track at Cizik School of Nursing ranked No. 1 in Texas and tied for No. 12 nationally in the latest listings by U.S. News & World Report. Its hybrid structure makes it possible for students who live anywhere in Texas to complete coursework remotely and visit campus occasionally for required hands-on simulation labs.

Always seeking personal connections, Van enjoys the on-campus days when he can meet members of his cohort in person instead of via computer screen. In the Fall 2026 semester, he plans to spend more time with friends and family in Houston, where he has a preceptor lined up for his obstetrics/gynecology rotation. (Cizik School of Nursing maintains contracts with more than 2,000 clinical sites around the states, and most nurse practitioner students complete all clinical requirements with preceptors near where they live.)

Van is past the half-way point in the program and expects to graduate in December 2027. He plans to work in family practice after graduation but is considering enrolling in the post-graduate Emergency Nurse Practitioner (ENP) track as well. FNP students at Cizik School of Nursing can apply to the state’s first ENP track in the last semester of the FNP program, which is also open to people who already have FNP certification.

“Given my critical care background, I’ve developed a strong interest in emergency care, and although I primarily intend to work in family practice, I can envision myself occasionally working in the emergency department to continue to build my knowledge and skills,” said Van, who is also interested in teaching.

As one of the youngest members of his FNP cohort, Van advises other nurses new to the profession to not let less experience keep them from pursuing a DNP.

“The program prepares you to be a nurse practitioner. That’s what clinicals and preceptors are for,” he said. “Take your shot!”

Cizik School of Nursing also offers an FNP track in its Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program, but prospective FNP students are encouraged to consider the BSN to DNP track to prepare for their highest level of advanced practice. 

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