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

DNP Program Graduate Coordinator: Sara L. Hubbell, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, FNP-C
Post-APRN Concentration Lead: Sara L. Hubbell, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, FNP-C
Graduate Coordinator: Ms. Annette Richards

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a practice-focused terminal degree earned by specialists in advanced practice nursing. The DNP prepares advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to analyze systems of care and provide transformational leadership that influences and impacts patient safety and quality of culturally competent care in southeastern, North Carolina. The DNP program consists of a minimum of 33 credit hours of coursework including 6 hours concentrated on a DNP Project. Each candidate’s program of study will be designed to meet student outcomes for advanced practice as a DNP.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

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

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

Holistic Based Admission Requirements

Degree Requirements: 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).
GPA: Overall cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. A GPA as low as 2.75 will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Transcripts and Prerequisite Courses: Transcript will demonstrate successful completion of academic credits in graduate level pathophysiology, pharmacology, and advanced physical assessment from a regionally accredited school. One official transcript is required from each US post-secondary institution attended.
Licensure: Must have a valid unrestricted North Carolina registered nurse (RN) license or compact state license and advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) license and/or approval to practice in order to complete DNP project within the state student is licensed as an RN and licensed/approved to practice as an APRN in their state of residence and currently employed in an advance practice role.
Three professional references. Recommender will submit a survey through the online application tool. An additional letter is not required.
Resume: Clinical work history (1-page only).
Further criteria specified in application.
Interview: Video and/or Personal Statement may be required per the Application.
International Applicants: must present evidence of professional standing in their home countries. This requirement excludes US citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents.
Differential Tuition: differential tuition applies 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: 3 (taken twice)

Exit Requirements

All DNP students must:

Complete and pass a written and oral comprehensive examination of the DNP Project.
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.
Total of 1,000 clinical hours (includes clinical hours from previous master’s program (500) and current DNP immersion hours).