Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

The Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree is designed to prepare graduates to practice nursing from an evidence-based perspective through effective use and collaborative production of clinically based scholarship. There are two options of entry to the DNP which include a post-MSN-DNP program or a BSN-DNP option that consist of specialty nurse practitioner tracks in Family Practice and Adult-Gerontology Acute Care. Graduates of the program can practice in a culturally and ethnically diverse global society and are qualified to apply for national certification examinations.

DNP Program Goals

The goals of the DNP program are based on The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education developed by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (2021).

• Integrate nursing science and theory, knowledge from other healthcare disciplines, and nursing research to develop innovative practice approaches that improve health and reduce health disparities for individuals and populations.
• Utilize leadership skills and interprofessional collaborations/partnerships to influence health policy, advocate for social justice, and promote ethical, equitable, safe, and quality health care for individuals and diverse populations.
• Implement ethical, cost effective, and evidence-based changes within complex care systems that produce improved health outcomes and advance the discipline of nursing.
• Engage in the scholarship of nursing, utilize communication and technological systems, and practice ongoing professional development to improve health outcomes and build strong, informed nurse leaders.
• Provide leadership at the highest level to design, direct, and evaluate innovative, evidence-based approaches to care delivery that achieve safe, quality, culturally competent person-centered care.