DNP Courses

Doctor of Nursing Practice DNP Plan of Study

*** DNP degree consists of a total of 30 credits:  23 credits of DNP core and 7 credits of role integration

BSN-DNP
  • Direct Care Family Primary Care Nurse Practitioner – 77 credits/1000 hours of practicum hours (47credits/600 practicum hours from MSN-FNP and 30 credits/400 practicum hours from DNP)
  • Direct Care Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner – 76 credits/1000 hours of practicum hours (46 credits/600 practicum hours from MSN-AGNP and 30 credits/400 practicum hours from DNP) 
  • Transformative Leadership – 68 credits/1000 hours of practicum hours (38 credits/500 practicum hours from MSN-CNL and 30 credits/500 practicum hours from DNP)
MSN-DNP
  • Direct Care for Nurse Practitioners – 30 credits/400 min. practicum hours. (A Gap Analysis will be assessed to evaluate practicum hours earned in previous MSN program. A total of 1000 hours from BSN to DNP must be completed to earn a DNP degree.)
  • Transformative Leadership – 30 credits/500 min. practicum hours.  (A Gap Analysis will be assessed to evaluate practicum hours earned in previous MSN program.  A total of 1000 hours from BSN to DNP must be completed to earn a DNP degree.)

 

GAP Analysis: Analysis for Individualized Course of Study.  In accordance with the 2016 Criteria for Evaluation of Nurse Practitioner Programs, a Gap Analysis is conducted for each applicant, based on prior education and certification as well as academic didactic and clinical needs, to determine their specific course of study. Courses in graduate level Pathophysiology, Physical Assessment, Pharmacology, and Statistics serve as pre-requites into the DNP program. A total of 1000 practicum hours must be obtain from BSN to DNP education.


DNP Core Courses (23 credits) Completed by all DNP students
  • Applied Epidemiology 3 credits
  • Analytical Methods in Evidence-based Practice 3 credits
  • Leadership in Health Care Policy and Advocacy 2 credits
  • Leading Clinical Prevention and Population Health 3 credits
  • Organizational and Systems Leadership 3 credits
  • Informatics and Clinical Data Management 3 credits
  • Continuous Performance and Quality Improvement 3 credits
  • DNP Project I    1 credit
  • DNP Project II   1 credit
  • DNP Project III  1credit
Direct Care Nurse Practitioner Track Courses (7 credits) (Completed by NP-DNP students)
  • Direct Care: Advanced Practice Role Integration  I 1 credits 100 practice hours
  • Direct Care: Advanced Practice Role Integration  II 2 credits 100 practice hours
  • Direct Care: Advanced Practice Role Integration  III 2 credits 100 practice hours
  • Direct Care: Advanced Practice Role Integration IV  2 credits 100 practice hours; on-site one-day dissemination residency
Transformative Leadership Indirect Care Track Courses (7 credits) (Completed by Leadership-DNP students)
  • Transformative Leadership Role Integration  I 1 credit 125 practice hours 
  • Transformative Leadership Role Integration II  2 credits 125 practice hours 
  • Transformative Leadership Role Integration III  2 credits 125 practice hours 
  • Transformative Leadership Role Integration IV  2 credits 125 practice hours; on-site one-day dissemination residency 
Electives
  • Role Integration for Continuous Practice 1-6 credits for up to 600 practice hours if needed to account for 1000 BSN-DNP practice hours. 
  • Independent Study: 1-6 credits 
On-site Residency

One day onsite residency is required for DNP project dissemination and competency demonstration

Courses

NURS 920 Analytical Methods in Evidence-based Practice

NURS 925 Continuous Performance and Quality Improvement

NURS 930 Applied Epidemiology

NURS 935 Informatics and Clinical Data Management

NURS 940 Leadership in Health Care Policy and Advocacy

NURS 945 Leading Clinical Prevention and Population Health

NURS 950 Organizational and Systems Leadership

NURS 955 DNP Project I

NURS 956 DNP Project II

NURS 957 DNP Project III

NURS 960 Direct Care: Advanced Practice Role Integration I                                      

NURS 961 Direct Care: Advanced Practice Role Integration II               

NURS 962 Direct Care: Advanced Practice Role Integration III       

NURS 963 Direct Care: Advanced Practice Role Integration IV        

NURS 970 Transformative Leadership Role Integration I                

NURS 971 Transformative Leadership Role Integration II           

NURS 972 Transformative Leadership Role Integration III           

NURS 973 Transformative Leadership Role Integration IV           

NURS 975 Role Integration for Continuous Practice                 

NURS 980 Independent Study   

 

DNP Course Descriptions

Nursing (NURS)

NURS 920 Analytical Methods in Evidence-based Practice             3 credits

Prerequisite(s):  Graduate level courses in Pathophysiology, Physical Assessment, Pharmacology, and Statistics

Course Description:
This course focuses on clinical scholarship through the use of analytical methods to evaluate research and evidence based practice.  The course presents quantitative research methods using biostatical principles and introduces qualitative research as companion method to solve clinical problems.  Essential leadership skills highlighted include critical evaluation, synthesis, transference, and the selection and application of appropriate evidence-based findings needed to transform healthcare practices. The course distinguishes among quality improvement, research, and evidence-based practice and demonstrates the utility of different approaches to improve health outcomes. Emphasis is placed on the appraisal and analysis of current practice patterns in comparison with national benchmarks to determine outcomes variances and drive the development of clinical strategies that will improve health care delivery. 

NURS 925 Continuous Performance and Quality Improvement           3 credits 

Prerequisite(s):  Graduate level courses in Pathophysiology, Physical Assessment, Pharmacology, and Statistics

Course Description:
This course focuses on quality and safety competencies for DNP nurse leaders.  Performance indicators, quality improvement methodologies, data analyses, and quality based evidence for client populations will be examined.  The cost effectiveness of care, using principles of economics and finance, will be applied as an indicator of quality. Emphasis will be placed on collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to assess the quality of the organizational culture, collect data on safety indicators, and design a cyclical action plan that uses evidence and translational practices to evolve change in systems.  

NURS 930 Applied Epidemiology                             3 credits

Prerequisite(s):  Graduate level courses in Pathophysiology, Physical Assessment, Pharmacology, and Statistics

Course Description:
This course focuses on the application of epidemiologic principles to examine distributions and determinants of health to improve practice and outcomes while serving client aggregates and healthcare delivery systems.   Emphasis is placed on understanding the burden of disease as it impacts populations and global health.  A public health perspective is used to understand mechanisms of disease that evolve from infectious, social, behavioral, psychological, genetic, and environmental factors. This course will address specific epidemiologic research methods to analyze and describe patterns of disease and determine the effectiveness of disease control and prevention methods.  Learners will cultivate approaches to the planning, development and evaluation of health programs, while integrating principles of health policy and resolving ethical issues from a leadership role position.

NURS 935 Informatics and Clinical Data Management                3 credits

Prerequisite(s):  Graduate level courses in Pathophysiology, Physical Assessment, Pharmacology, and Statistics

Course Description:
This course focuses on the acquisition, critical appraisal and use of information technologies to improve decision making in healthcare delivery. Models of information systems and technologies will be evaluated for efficacy and efficiency in promoting safe, quality, and cost-effective care in diverse settings. Emphasis is placed on retrieval, integration and evaluation of clinically relevant data derived from electronic sources, the analysis of therapeutic intervention tools to support patient care, and visioning new technologies to generate information needed for knowledge development.

NURS 940 Leadership in Health Care Policy and Advocacy            2 credits

Prerequisite(s):  Graduate level courses in Pathophysiology, Physical Assessment, Pharmacology, and Statistics

Course Description:
This course focuses on the leadership role of the DNP in promoting health policy development and leveraging legislative change using collaborative negotiation skills with health policy makers. The interrelationships among policy, advocacy, and ethics will be examined within clinical practice, healthcare systems, and the nursing profession. This course will examine the structure and function of governance, legislative control, regulatory organizations, and public relations when addressing healthcare issues at local, state, regional, and global levels. Emphasis is placed on the role of designing, implementing, and advocating for health care policies that address issues of social justice and equity in health care.

NURS 945 Leading Clinical Prevention and Population Health            3 credits 

Prerequisite(s):  Graduate level courses in Pathophysiology, Physical Assessment, Pharmacology, and Statistics

Course Description:
This course focuses on developing leadership skills that engage interprofessional and consumer collaboration to translate evidence into population centered strategies for health promotion, risk reduction, and illness prevention. Emphasis is placed on emerging global health priorities, infectious diseases, poverty, emergencies, disasters, health determinants, application of health motivation theories and health reforms. Ethical, legal, and social issues associated with clinical prevention initiatives will be examined, highlighting strategies to resolve inequities found within vulnerable, under served, and marginalized populations.

NURS 950 Organizational and Systems Leadership                 3 Credits 

Prerequisite(s):  Graduate level courses in Pathophysiology, Physical Assessment, Pharmacology, and Statistics

Course Description:
This course focuses on organizational and systems leadership skills for advanced practice to improve healthcare outcomes. The course foci are transformative leadership, motivational tactics, strategic planning, and collaboration with the healthcare team to make data driven decisions at both the micro-and macro-system levels.  Emphasis is placed on the application of theoretical models and leadership concepts to understand and negotiate the complexities of organizations that impact healthcare delivery and visionary practice. 

NURS 955 DNP Project I                                  1 credit

Prerequisite(s):  Graduate level courses in Pathophysiology, Physical Assessment, Pharmacology, and Statistics

Course Description:
This course focuses on the synthesis of concepts from multi-disciplinary theories (e.g. nursing, biophysical, psychosocial, cultural, education, organizational, leadership, and economic) in the development of an evidence-based nursing practice DNP project.  A critical evaluation of selected theories, concepts, and methods relevant to the review, analysis, synthesis, and application of evidence-based nursing within an interprofessional healthcare practice will be completed. Emphasis is placed on the development of potential PICOT questions relating to clinical practice as supported by research, systematic reviews, clinical guidelines, clinical expertise and patient preferences. The ethical, economic, cultural, and political implications of innovations in evidence-based practice will be explored to promote change in clinical practice.  

NURS 956 DNP Project II                                     1 credit

Prerequisite(s):  NURS 955

Course Description:
This course focuses on the further evolution of the DNP project proposal, including developing the project design and data gathering methods needed to identify needs, monitor progress and measure outcomes.  A change theory will be selected to guide the project implementation methods and will incorporate the use of information technology, inter-professional collaboration, and conflict resolution. Appropriate permissions and IRB approvals will be secured in this course.  Data collection and analysis may begin during this course. 

NURS 957 DNP Project III                                           1 credit

Prerequisite(s):  NURS 956

Course Description:
This course focuses on the completion of data collection, analysis of results, and dissemination. Course expectations include an oral presentation and a publication ready manuscript related to the DNP project.  Emphasis is placed on a reflective evaluation of the DNP project’s impact in the areas of economics, quality improvement, informatics, policy, ethical responsibilities and role integration. Professional peer reviews, critiques, and dissemination will be included in this course. 

NURS 960 Direct Care: Advanced Practice Role Integration I                                      1 credit

Prerequisite(s):  Graduate level courses in Pathophysiology, Physical Assessment, Pharmacology, and Statistics

Course Description:
This is the first of four courses where students begin to formalize DNP practice and competencies through clinical practicum experiences.  This course focuses on advanced practice role integration by providing experiential learning.  Clinical practicum experiences will be individually designed to integrate scholarly activities within the context of the students’ population track, scholarly interests, and self-identified areas of needed growth. The course orientates the student to the practice setting.  Students will complete 100 clinical practice hours in a clinical setting.  

NURS 961 Direct Care: Advanced Practice Role Integration II                2 credits 

Prerequisite(s):  NURS 960

Course Description:
This is the second of four courses where students formalize DNP practice and competencies through clinical practicum experience.  This course focuses on advanced practice role integration by providing experiential learning. Clinical practicum experiences will be individually designed to integrate scholarly activities within the context of the students’ population track, scholarly interests, and self-identified areas of needed growth. The course emphasis is to actualize a DNP project that focuses on practice problems within a selected population.  Students will complete 100 clinical practice hours in a clinical setting while integrating the AACN DNP Essentials under the guidance of a clinical mentor and faculty. Advanced practice nursing, leadership, and scholarship are expected to be integrated at the highest level of DNP practice.

NURS 962 Direct Care: Advanced Practice Role Integration III        2 credits

Prerequisite(s):  NURS 961

Course Description:
This is the third of four courses where students formalize DNP practice and competencies through clinical practicum experience.  This course focuses on advanced practice role integration by providing experiential learning. Clinical practicum experiences will be individually designed to integrate scholarly activities within the context of the students’ population track, scholarly interests, and self-identified areas of needed growth. The course emphasis is to actualize a DNP project that focuses on practice problems within a selected population.  Students will complete 100 clinical practice hours in a clinical setting while integrating the AACN DNP Essentials under the guidance of a clinical mentor and faculty. Advanced practice nursing, leadership, and scholarship are expected to be integrated at the highest level of DNP practice.

NURS 963 Direct Care: Advanced Practice Role Integration IV         2 credits 

Prerequisite(s): NURS 962

Course Description:
This is the last of four courses where students formalize DNP practice and competencies through clinical practicum experience. This course focuses on advanced practice role integration by providing experiential learning.  Clinical practicum experiences will be individually designed to integrate scholarly activities within the context of the students’ population track, scholarly interests, and self-identified areas of needed growth. The course emphasis is to actualize a DNP project that focuses on practice problems within a selected population.  Students will complete 100 clinical practice hours in a clinical setting while integrating the AACN DNP Essentials under the guidance of a clinical mentor and faculty. Advanced practice nursing, leadership, and scholarship are expected to be integrated at the highest level of DNP practice.

NURS 970 Transformative Leadership Role Integration I                 1 credit 

Prerequisite(s):  Graduate level courses in Pathophysiology, Physical Assessment, Pharmacology, and Statistics

Course Description:
This is the first of four courses where students begin to formalize DNP practice and competencies through clinical practicum experience.  This course focuses on transformative leadership role integration by providing experiential learning. Clinical practicum experiences will be individually designed to integrate scholarly activities within the context of the students’ population track, scholarly interests, and self-identified areas of needed growth. The course orientates the student to the practice setting.  Students will complete 100 clinical practice hours in a clinical setting. 

NURS 971 Transformative Leadership Role Integration II            2 credits

Prerequisite(s):  NURS 970

Course Description: This is the second of four courses where students formalize DNP practice and competencies through clinical practicum experience.  This course focuses on transformative leadership role integration by providing experiential learning. Clinical practicum experiences will be individually designed to integrate scholarly activities within the context of the students’ population track, scholarly interests, and self-identified areas of needed growth. The course emphasis is to actualize a DNP project that focuses on practice problems within a selected population.  Students will complete 100 clinical practice hours in a clinical setting while integrating the AACN DNP Essentials under the guidance of a clinical mentor and faculty. Advanced practice nursing, leadership, and scholarship are expected to be integrated at the highest level of DNP practice.

NURS 972 Transformative Leadership Role Integration III            2 credits

Prerequisite(s):  NURS 971

Course Description:
This is the third of four courses where students formalize DNP practice and competencies through clinical practicum experience.  This course focuses on transformative leadership role integration by providing experiential learning. Clinical practicum experiences will be individually designed to integrate scholarly activities within the context of the students’ population track, scholarly interests, and self-identified areas for needed growth. The course emphasis is to actualize a DNP project that focuses on practice problems within a selected population.  Students will complete 100 clinical practice hours in a clinical setting while integrating the AACN DNP Essentials under the guidance of a clinical mentor and faculty. Advanced practice nursing, leadership, and scholarship are expected to be integrated at the highest level of DNP practice.

NURS 973 Transformative Leadership Role Integration IV            2 credits 

Prerequisite(s):  NURS 972

Course Description: This is the last of four courses where students formalize DNP practice and competencies through clinical practicum experience.  This course focuses on transformative leadership role integration by providing experiential learning. Clinical practicum experiences will be individually designed to integrate scholarly activities within the context of the students’ population track, scholarly interests, and self-identified areas of needed growth. The course emphasis is to actualize a DNP project that focuses on practice problems within a selected population.  Students will complete 100 clinical practice hours in a clinical setting while integrating the AACN DNP Essentials under the guidance of a clinical mentor and faculty. Advanced practice nursing, leadership, and scholarship are expected to be integrated at the highest level of DNP practice.

NURS 975 Role Integration for Continuous Practice                  1-6 credits

Prerequisite(s):  Graduate level courses in Pathophysiology, Physical Assessment, Pharmacology, and Statistics

Course Description:
This course provides students the opportunity to complete additional practicum hours when transferring fewer than the required number of hours needed to graduate.  A total of 1000 practicum hours (BSN-DNP) must be completed by the end of the DNP program.  A GAP Analysis will be completed to determine the number of additional practicum hours needed.  Students who need additional hours to complete their DNP project may also take this course to procure the guidance of a clinical mentor and faculty. The course must be taken on a continual basis until the DNP project is completed to remain in good standing in the program.  

NURS 980 Independent Study                             1-6 credits

Prerequisite(s):  Enrollment into DNP Program 

Course Description:
This course is designed to enable students to study a selected topic in depth.   Students with the guidance of a faculty advisor will develop a contract describing the specific responsibilities and/or learning objectives of the student and the criteria to be used in evaluation and grading.