Doctor of Nursing Practice 79
DOCTOR OF NURSING PRACTICE (DNP) Director: Kathleen T. Patterson, Ph.D., RN
INTRODUCTION
Upon completion of the program requirements, students are awarded the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. To comply with required educational changes, as outlined by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Programs (COA) the Villa Maria School of Nursing is offering the addition of courses that will meet identified core content and core competencies outlined by the AACN specific to the practice doctorate. It will initially be offered as a “bridge program” or Master’s addon from the MSN to the DNP that is 26 credits in length. It can be completed in three full-time semesters or four to six part-time semesters. It will be offered to advanced practice RNs who hold active certification in their respective field. Future plans include the offering of a BSN to DNP program. With the exception of the GEDU 600 pre-requisite, this program will be offered in an all online format beginning Fall 2014. Graduates will be prepared as leaders in their practice area. Course content will direct the DNP student at Gannon University to prepare, deliver and evaluate an evidence-based practice project in the clinical arena. This project will be an immersion experience and will not be a research dissertation. Students may use their previous MSN level thesis work as a pilot study or starting point to develop the project.
OUTCOMES
At the conclusion of the course of study leading to the Doctor of Nursing Practice at Gannon University, the graduate will: • be prepared as advanced practice nurses who are culturally sensitive, competent and safe practitioners and who deliver care and act as advocates for individuals, aggregates, and communities of varying diversity and socioeconomic levels; • effectively use technology, large aggregate data bases, and information systems to identify, use, and create therapeutic nursing interventions that promote health and prevent disease; • identify, analyze, and create evidence-based solutions to individual practice and organizational health care dilemmas; • synthesize and utilize ethical, legal, political, and advocacy
methodologies to positively impact health care practice and health care delivery systems; • promote collaborative and multidisciplinary delivery of health care as members of teams and organizations across the health care practice arena; • provide quality nursing leadership and serve as mentors to other nurses, from novice nurses to nurses in advanced practice roles.
PART-TIME OPPORTUNITIES IN THE DOCTORAL PROGRAM
Although the full-time course of study can be completed in three semesters, students may choose to take the courses on a part-time schedule over four to five semesters. Students must complete the course of study within three years part-time. NOTE: Course offerings in any graduate program nursing option are contingent on sufficient enrollment.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Advanced practice registered nurses who hold a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and are certified as a Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Midwife or a Nurse Anesthetist are eligible to apply for admission to the Doctor of Nursing Practice program of study. Applicants with a Clinical Nurse Specialist who are currently certified will be considered. Applicants must: • Submit an application for admission with the Gannon University Graduate Admissions office by January 15 for the following Fall. Applicants will: .. Provide official transcripts of all previous academic work .. Have a 3.5 out of 4.0 overall GPA in their Master’s work .. Submit three letters of recommendation; one from an academic professional (faculty who knows the student’s ability to do independent academic work), one from an employer, and one from a professional who can address the candidate’s advanced practice ability • Submit a portfolio (either e-attach or hard copy) to the nursing admissions committee by January 15 to include: .. A professional resume .. A copy of a current license and advanced practice license .. Evidence of active certification and current CEUs .. Course description of a Graduate level statistics course (if completed) .. A synopsis or evidence of a thesis or evidence-based practice project completed at the Master’s level .. an essay (limited to 500 words) about the direction or intent of A capstone project of study • Present the portfolio at an interview with graduate faculty. Final decisions regarding admission will be made by April 15*. *Dates may be extended by the Director of the School of Nursing