2016-2017 University Catalog
Nursing, DNP
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Banner Code: HH-DNP-NURS
College: College of Health and Human Services
Department: School of Nursing
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) builds on the MSN degree. The objective of the program is to prepare graduates for the highest level of nursing practice. Emphasis will be placed on evaluating and applying the evidence that supports practice, understanding and creating practice delivery systems based on patient outcomes, and assuming leadership roles in practice settings. In the curriculum, five concentrations are available to the post-baccalaureate student. The concentrations are configured into two foci as recommended by the AACN DNP Essentials: 1) care of individuals with three concentrations, Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner; and 2) care of aggregates (groups) with Advanced Clinical Nursing and Administration in Nursing concentrations. BSN to DNP students must complete Level I core and advanced-practice competency courses relevant to their chosen concentration prior to taking Level II core essentials. The DNP is the terminal practice degree in the profession. The degree will draw on expertise from throughout CHHS in such areas as health economics, health policy, and epidemiology. Graduates of the program will be able to assume many roles in the health care system, including direct patient care, clinical nursing faculty, practice management, and policy development.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must meet the admission standards and application requirements specified in the Admissions section of the catalog and must apply using the online Application for Graduate Admission. Applicants for the BSN to DNP curriculum must be graduates of accredited baccalaureate (BSN) programs in nursing. Applicants for the MSN to DNP curriculum must have a master’s degree in nursing. All applicants must submit a copy of their current state-based/US license and show evidence of at least one year of experience as an RN prior to admission. The application process is competitive, and applications are considered for the fall semester only. For application deadlines and detailed application requirements please refer to the CHHS Admissions website.
Transfers Between Programs or Concentrations
Students may not transfer between programs or concentrations. If a student wishes to be considered for another nursing program or concentration, a completed application to that program or concentration must be submitted using the online Application for Graduate Admission. Applicants will be considered for admission with all other applicants for that program or concentration, with no guarantee of acceptance. If accepted, please be aware that more than half of the credits earned for the new degree must be taken after acceptance to the new nursing program or concentration.
Transfer of Credit
Students may transfer a maximum of 9 credits into the DNP program from graduate courses taken at other institutions or taken at Mason in non-degree status, including courses offered through the college’s Academic Outreach program. Transfer credit is governed by university transfer of graduate credit policy and the university requirements for doctoral degrees , and transfer credit must be approved by the program director and the dean. Students who enroll initially through non-degree studies or the Academic Outreach program should seek course advising through the department and should submit their application to the DNP program as soon as possible after beginning in their study in non-degree status.
Reduction of Credit
Students who come into the MSN to DNP program will complete 72 credits, including up to 30 hours of relevant graduate credit awarded for past master’s-level courses.
Time Requirements
The projected length of the program for full-time BSN to DNP students is four calendar years, which could stretch to eight academic years for part-time students. Full-time MSN to DNP students can complete the program in two academic years, while part-time students may require three academic years. BSN to DNP students will have a maximum of eight years and MSN to DNP students will have a maximum of six years to complete the program.
Academic Termination
A degree-seeking nursing graduate student is terminated from the program after accumulating unsatisfactory grades (B-minus or below) in two graduate courses. Any graduate course in which a student earns a B-minus grade or below must be repeated before progressing any further in course work.
Degree Requirements
The BSN to DNP curriculum is comprised of 72 credits divided among Level I core courses, advanced practice competency courses, Level II core essentials, clinical practicums and a practice inquiry project. Students who come into the MSN to DNP program will also complete 72 credits, including up to 30 hours of relevant graduate credit awarded for past master’s-level courses.
Of the 72 required credits, all students will have 28 total credits of core content (Level I core and Level II core essentials). Core content focuses on informatics, financial management, health policy, theory, ethics, leadership, and application of research. Students also must take 36 credits of advanced practice competency courses and 8 credits of a practice-based translational inquiry (practice inquiry project). These credits count toward the AACN DNP Essential minimum of 1,000 hours of precepted/mentored clinical practice.
The 1,000 hours of precepted/mentored clinical practice are distributed among introductory (500- to 700-numbered courses) and upper-level (800- to 900-numbered courses) graduate courses. Students receive one hour of credit for 45 hours of precepted/mentored clinical practice that is part of the course work. BSN to DNP students will include the 1,000 hours in their course work. MSN to DNP students can transfer in up to 800 hours (depending on how many hours they accrued during their master’s program). The number of clinical hours a student is awarded on admission is based on transcripts and course descriptions. Faculty will review clinical credits earned as part of the master’s degree to determine the number of clinical hours awarded. Variable hours in the clinical practicums (NURS 921 and NURS 922 ) will assure a total of 1,000 clinical hours prior to DNP graduation.
Students will pursue one of two emphases: (1) Advanced nursing care of individuals, or (2) Advanced nursing care of aggregates. Students will integrate knowledge from core and concentration courses into development and implementation of their practice inquiry project.
The curriculum will allow students with diverse nursing academic and clinical backgrounds the flexibility to enter a program of study tailored to their future professional goals. The final project will be an evidence-based translational research project (practice inquiry project). This project is designed for students to address a real-life professional issue with potential for actual implementation to improve practice and outcomes. The goal of the DNP program is to maximize the strength and credentials of each student through faculty advisement. Students will be assigned to a faculty advisor whose interest and expertise will support the development of an individual practice inquiry project at the culmination of course work. All students are required to have an active Mason e-mail account.
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