HELP 2011-2012 University Catalog Nursing, DNP Print-Friendly Page

Banner Code:  HH-DNP-NURS

Unit: 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, there are five possible concentrations available to the post-baccalaureate student. The concentrations are configured as recommended by the AACN DNP Essentials into two foci: 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.

Application Requirements

Applicants must meet the admissions standards and application requirements specified in the Admission  chapter of the catalog and apply using the online Application for Graduate Admission. Applicants for the BSN to DNP curriculum must be graduates of accredited baccalaureate programs in nursing. Applicants for the MSN to DNP curriculum must have a master’s degree in nursing. All applicants must hold an active license as a registered nurse (RN), and show evidence of one year of experience as an RN prior to enrollment in clinical course work. The application process is competitive, and applications are considered for the fall semester only. For application deadlines and detailed application requirements please refer to Graduate Application Database.

Transfer of Credit

Students may transfer a maximum of 12 credits into the DNP program from graduate courses taken at other institutions or taken at Mason in nondegree 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 Nondegree 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 nondegree status.

Time Requirements

The final step in completion of the degree is the implementation of a practice inquiry project. The proposal for this project must be prepared with ample time for submission to the Human Subjects Review Board at George Mason University. The student’s project will be evaluated by a committee consisting of three members who will be agreed upon by the student and advisor. The student will identify one School of Nursing faculty member to serve as an advisor and chair the committee. Another committee member will be identified either from GMU faculty or from outside the university with permission from the committee chair and the coordinator of the DNP program. The third committee member will be identified from the site of the student’s practice inquiry project. The committee is responsible for approving the final written report of the project and the oral defense by the student. Consistent with the AACN DNP Essentials, the practice inquiry project must demonstrate to the committee’s satisfaction knowledge in the core competencies of finance, policy, technology, and health care delivery systems, as well as utilization of evidence to enhance practice outcomes. The practice inquiry project will be completed within two semesters. Students unable to complete the project within this time frame may take up to one extra year.

The projected length of the program for full-time BSN to DNP students is three calendar years, which could stretch to eight academic years for part-time students. Full-time MSN to DNP students can complete 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.

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 include 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 coursework. BSN to DNP students will include the 1,000 hours in their coursework. 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 their course study.