Academics:

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) provides the terminal academic preparation for advanced practice nursing and is designed to prepare expert nurse clinicians, educators, and administrators to improve health and health care outcomes.  The purpose of this degree program is to prepare graduates to assume leadership positions in a variety of healthcare, business, government and educational organizations. In addition, the program provides the clinical, educational and administrational expertise necessary to improve outcomes in the practice arenas of health care, administration and education. The focus is on innovative and evidence-based nursing practice to meet the demands associated with increasing complexity in the health care system and improving the quality of patient care delivery and outcomes and influencing health care policy.

The 37-39-credit DNP is a post-master’s in nursing program, offered in a convenient executive-style format designed for the busy working professional. The program can be completed in 12 months of full-time study, integrating approximately one week of on-site classes each semester with online and virtual learning experiences. A 24-month part-time program of study is also available. A cohort of students will be admitted in June 2008. Required on-campus dates are as follows:

• June 2-6, 2008
• Aug 4-8, 2008
• Dec 8-12, 2008
• May 11-15, 2009
• Graduation May 16, 2009

Course of Study
The 37-39-credit DNP program includes 18 credits of required DNP core, 15-17 credits of advanced nursing specialty practice, and 4 credits for the required capstone project. 

Plans of Study

• Academic Educator Full Time 12 Month
  Academic Educator Part Time 24 Month
  
  
• Administrative Full Time 12 Month
  Administrative Part Time 24 Month
  
  
• Advanced Practice Full Time 12 Month
  Advanced Practice Part Time 24 Month

DNP Program Goals
Building on current master’s nursing program curricula, students in this post-master’s DNP program are prepared at the most advanced level of nursing practice. Graduates are educated to effectively advance the management of individuals, families, and populations; improve the safety and quality of patient care; apply informatics to practice and health care problems; administer health care programs and organizations; teach in school’s of nursing and develop and implement health policy.

DNP Program Outcomes
At the completion of the DNP program, the graduate:

1. practices at the highest level of nursing by integrating nursing science and the biophysical, psychosocial, analytical, organizational and public health sciences to improve health, nursing and education outcomes;
2. integrates advanced critical reasoning and judgment in the management of complex clinical situations and systems;
3.  integrates ethical principles, personal beliefs, and Christian values to provide a framework for advanced nursing practice;
4. engages in scholarship and analytical methods for evidence-based practice to effect optimal outcomes;
5. applies information systems and technology for the provision and/or transformation of health care delivery, nursing practice and education;
6. engages in interdisciplinary collaboration for the improvement of individual and population health outcomes;
7. advocates for change in health care practice through policy development, implementation and evaluation.