Mar 28, 2024  
2014-2015 Graduate Bulletin 
    
2014-2015 Graduate Bulletin [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice


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DNP Purpose

The purpose of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is congruent with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice (2006) and the National League for Nursing Standards and criteria for the clinical doctorate (2008). The DNP program is a practice focused doctoral program designed to prepare nurses at the highest level of nursing practice to lead in applying and translating research into practice in local, state, national, and global health systems. The focus of the DNP program is on evidnece-based practice reflecting synthesis, application, and translation of credible research findings. The DNP program includes integrative practice experiences and an intense practice immersion experience that prepares advanced practice nurses caring for populations in primary and specialty care settings with emphasis on chronic illness management.

DNP Philosophy

The Doctoral program builds upon the philosophy of the Master’s program that includes primary care, advanced nursing practice, and evidence based practice foci. Attainment of advanced knowledge and competencies as an expert occurs through the processes of synthesizing, applying, and translating credible research findings into practice. All encompassing beliefs concerning the value of leadership (both in political and practice related settings), advanced practice nursing, and global health are components of the well-rounded advanced practice nursing leader at the doctoral level.

DNP Outcomes

Synthesize theoretical, philosophical, ethical, and empirical knowledge to develop therapeutic interventions in complex health systems.

Utilize information systems and patient care technology for the improvement and transformation of health care.

Provide leadership in the analysis, development, and implementation of health care policy on local, regional, national, and global levels.

Employ collaborative approaches with other disciplines for improving health outcomes among diverse populations.

Develop leadership skills within complex health systems to improve safe, cost-effective, and quality health care for diverse populations.

Demonstrate clinical scholarship and the use of analytical methods to design, implement, evaluate, and disseminate evidence-based practice.

Admissions Requirements for Doctor of Nursing Practice:


See Graduate Admissions in this Bulletin for information regarding admission .

Program Requirements

In addition to the general degree requirements (see Academic Policies and Procedures and curriculum noted below), the student must successfully complete the following:

  1. A minimum of 38 semester credit hours earned Post Master’s
  2. Maintain overall GPA of 3.0/B average or better
  3. Transfer only 6 credits into DNP Program

Progression Policy

Once a student is admitted to DOCTORATE OF NURSING PRACTICE PROGRAM:

  1. A grade of “B” or above is required in each nursing course:
    1. Nursing courses may be repeated only once.
    2. Students who fail to make a “B” on a second attempt of a failed nursing course or fails a subsequent nursing course is permanently excluded from the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program.
  2. A grade of “C” in non-clinical courses is allowed but more than 2 “C”s will result in expulsion.  If the student’s GPA does not maintain a 3.0 or better they cannot graduate.
  3. A “WF” in any course is counted as a failure in that course.
  4. For each nursing course with an accompanying clinical course, a grade of “B” or above is required in the theory course with a pass in the associated clinical course in order to progress.  If this does not occur, both the theory and the clinical course must be retaken together.  If only one course component (Theory or Clinical) was failed it is considered as one failure; if both theory and clinical components are failed concurrently it is also considered as one failure.
  5. Students may be dismissed from the program for unsafe practice, unethical or illegal conduct.  In such cases a student will receive an automatic “F” in the nursing courses affected by the actions.

Full Time Plan of Study:


Part Time Plan of Study:


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