Doctor of Nursing Practice, D.N.P. (Post APRN Concentration)

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the DNP curriculum, the new graduate will be able to:

1. Integrate science from nursing and other disciplines to identify, develop, and evaluate practice change initiatives that improve individual and population health.
2. Demonstrate leadership within healthcare systems to adopt strategies to improve quality and safety.
3. Incorporate knowledge of evidence-based practice into advanced decision-making through the evaluation and translation of evidence into practice.
4. Analyze, apply and integrate appropriate information and technology that will improve and transform care at the individual and population level.
5. Critically analyze health policy to develop and implement health care reform that advocates for social justice and equity.
6. Engage in advanced decision-making within an inter-professional environment that results in culturally aware, ethical, and comprehensive systems of care.
7. Demonstrate high levels of skills in health promotion and disease prevention strategies for individuals, populations and systems.

Admission Requirements

• Three professional letters of recommendation to substantiate practice and leadership capabilities (one from a former nurse faculty member and a current or former employer, preferred.
• Recommender will submit a survey through the online application tool.
• In addition to the brief survey, a traditional letter is required to be uploaded by the recommender.
• Master’s degree in nursing or post-master’s certificate from a program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), or the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Accreditation (NLN CNEA).
• RN License: current unrestricted registered nurse (RN) license in the state in which pratice will occur.
• APRN: Advanced Practice RNs (APRN) must have current national certification and be licensed and approved to practice as an APRN in their state of residence and currently employed in an advance practice role.
• GPA: GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or higher on all previous graduate coursework as documented by official transcripts with evidence of completion of graduate level pathophysiology, pharmacology, and advanced physical assessment courses from a regionally accredited school.
• Essay: written essay addressing the applicant’s advanced practice expertise, career goals, how earning the DNP will promote these goals, and description of DNP project topic area limited to 600 words.
• Resume: 1-page clinical work-history resume.
• Interview: Interview with the School of Nursing faculty may be required to determine congruence between student practice interests, career goals and faculty expertise.
• International applicants must present evidence of professional standing in their home countries. This requirement excludes U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Resident.
• Differential Tuition: differential tuition applied to this program.

Degree requirements (33 total credit hours post-masters)

The program of study for the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Post APRN Concentration includes 10 core courses. Students must fulfill the requirements for the program as they work closely with advisors to plan their course of study. The focus of the DNP program core is leadership in nursing practice. Skills will be developed for translating research to impact practice and population outcomes at an in-depth level. Emphasis is placed on managing information systems, using appropriate technology for health care delivery, assessing and managing health risks, enhancing inter-professional communication, and designing and developing health care systems. Successful completion of all courses in the curriculum core is required for graduation.

• NSG 680 - Population Health Promotion and Clinical Epidemiology Credit Hours: 3
• NSGL 681 - Residency in Advanced Nursing Practice Credit Hours: 3
• NSG 682 - Genomics for Advanced Practice Nursing Credit Hours: 3
• NSG 683 - Statistics for Evidence-Based Practice Credit Hours: 3
• NSG 685 - Theoretical Approaches to Evidence-Based Practice Credit Hours: 3
• NSG 686 - Methodologic Approaches to Evidence-Based Practice Credit Hours: 3
• NSG 688 - Health Care Systems Leadership and Quality Improvement Credit Hours: 3
• NSG 689 - Health Care Policy and Financial Management Credit Hours: 3
• NSG 692 - Health Care Information Systems and Technology Credit Hours: 3
• NSG 699 - DNP Project Credit Hours: 1 To 4

Exit Requirements

All DNP students must:

1. Complete and pass a written and oral comprehensive examination of the DNP Project.
2. A DNP student must have a grade of B or better in each required course. If a student earns a C, he/she must repeat the course must earn a B or better to progress. A student will only be allowed to repeat one course during the program. A student with 2 or more C’s will be dismissed from the program. A student must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0.
3. Total of 1,000 clinical hours (includes clinical hours from previous master’s program (500) and current DNP non patient care hours.