PURPOSE
The distance learning program leading to the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree (D.N.P.) at Wilkes University is linked to the mission statements of the University and the Passan School of Nursing. The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education (2021) are applied to the curriculum for advanced-level nursing education. The doctoral program focuses on two primary elements: applied research and clinical practice. These elements are embedded in courses throughout the program leading to the D.N.P. Project where students integrate acquired knowledge to a clinical practice or health policy change in their preferred specialty area utilizing competency based education.
D.N.P. End of Program Outcomes
- Facilitate the synthesis of theory and research-based knowledge from nursing science and other sciences to inform education, practice, and translational research. (Domain 1)
- Analyze healthcare data outcomes to develop strategies for evidence based practice, guidelines, and policies that are person-centered resulting in accountability for outcomes and shared meaning with individuals and families, the healthcare team, and healthcare system. (Domain 2)
- Incorporate theoretical care delivery models of social determinants of health while assessing epidemiological, environmental, and global health data to reduce disparities and improve health promotion, disease prevention, and population health strategies. (Domain 3)
- Lead the translation of advanced evidence and knowledge in research and practice to improve health care outcomes and practice changes while following ethical standards of scholarship and dissemination. (Domain 4)
- Evaluate quality and safety principles using data and quality improvement methods to monitor and evaluate patient outcomes, identify areas for improvement in complex healthcare systems, and implement change.in clinical decision-making and systems improvement. (Domain 5)
- Facilitate interprofessional collaboration to design, implement, and evaluate patient-centered care and population health initiatives across complex healthcare systems. (Domain 6)
- Summarize how organizational structure, financing, and policy impact care delivery, to provide high-quality, cost-effective, and patient-centered care across diverse populations and settings. (Domain 7)
- Evaluate data from health information systems to identify trends, support evidence-based interventions, and drive quality improvement. (Domain 8)
- Model professional standards of advanced practice nursing with integrity and accountability while applying ethical principles, laws, policies, and regulations as a leader in support of safe, equitable, and evidence-based care. (Domain 9)
- Develop nurse leaders to assume responsibility for professional actions and decisions while engaging in self-care and self-reflection activities for improving systems of care and influencing policy, advocating for change, and guiding interprofessional teams. (Domain 10)
ADMISSION CRITERIA
Applicants will be evaluated for admission based on the following criteria. These admissions standards represent the minimum eligibility requirements for the program. Admission committee members reserve the right to request additional information from candidates as needed for a more in-depth review of qualifications.
- Completed online application.
- Master of Science in Nursing degree.
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher from a master’s or doctoral degree granting institution which is regionally and programmatically (ACEN, NLNAC, or CCNE) accredited. Admission is not granted for students who graduated from a non-programmatically or non-regionally accredited institution and meet all other admission requirements
- Official transcripts from master’s degree and post-graduate/APRN certificate granting institutions, as appropriate.
- A current unencumbered RN license.
- A current unencumbered advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) license and national board certification, if appropriate.*
- Curriculum vitae
- Validation of Clinical Hours Form: this form is completed for supervised indirect or direct clinical practice hours during master’s and/or post-graduate/APRN certificate program. Verification must be provided by the nursing program where the clinical hours were completed.
* Applications presenting a history of disciplinary action on professional licenses will be subject to an additional review process by the Special Licensure Discrepancy Committee of the university.
The Curriculum
M.S. to D.N.P. Core (30 Credits)
12 week courses (NSG 608 a and b are 15 week courses)
NSG 600 - Nursing Informatics
NSG 611- Statistics
NSG 602 - Ethical Principles for Advanced Nursing Practice
NSG 603 - Application of Nursing Research
NSG 604 - Epidemiology and Environmental Health
NSG 605 - Collaboration in Health Care Delivery
NSG 606 - Diversity and Social Issues
NSG 607 - Leadership in Advanced Nursing Practice
NSG 608 - A and B. D.N.P. Project
Total Credits: 30
*NSG 608 a and b are completed over the last 2 courses in the D.N.P. program.
An elective practicum course (NSG 609) is available for students entering the D.N.P. program with less than 400 hours from their master’s degree and post grad/APRN certificate programs. This course provides students with additional time to complete the required 1000 hours for the D.N.P. degree, prior to the start of the DNP Project.
NSG 609 - D.N.P. Program Practicum
Degree Requirements
Students are required to complete the 30 credit D.N.P. core for degree conferral.
D.N.P. Project
Students are required to complete a D.N.P. Project that demonstrates mastery of theoretical content through analysis and synthesis. Students should have a topic prior to entering the program and will research the topic throughout their D.N.P. degree coursework. The expectation is that students will commit to this topic during their coursework. Students changing topics and not prepared for the start of the D.N.P. Project (NSG 608a) may be asked to take a leave of absence to prepare for a new topic. D.N.P. Project oversight is provided by an assigned D.N.P. Project Chairperson. One other committee member is chosen by the student and can include graduate faculty members or community members, who are serving as D.N. P. Project mentors. The D.N.P. Project provides outcomes for validation that candidates have achieved competency in The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education (AACN, 2021 through the application of research and clinical implementation. The D.N.P. Project is 6 credits and completion is over the last 2 courses of the D.N.P. program. D.N.P. Project clearance requirements are per the policy in the student handbook. Students may be required by graduate faculty to seek an editor if their scholarly writing requires further development.
The D.N.P. project is a pilot study directed at generating knowledge through practice or policy changes. All students are expected to model their project in this fashion. The D.N.P. project 1) is clinically focused, 2) has NO control group, and 3) uses outcome data to support quality improvement for a practice or policy change.
Students must complete 1000 clinical hours for the D.N.P. degree. Included in these hours are the clinically supervised hours conducted in attaining a master’s degree in nursing and/or a Post Graduate/APRN certificate. Validation of those hours is required by a letter from the degree granting academic institution verifying the number of practicum hours which is part of the admission process. The remaining hours will be conducted by the student, in collaboration with the D.N.P. Project Chair and the clinical mentor, while completing the D.N.P. Project. Elective practicum courses for obtaining these hours outside the D.N.P. Project courses are available.
D.N.P. Project Chairs will validate the official hours required by students on the clinical log for completion of the 1000 hours to complete the D.N.P. program. Students are expected to complete the required clinical log during the D.N.P. Project documenting all hours and details of their experience. Students entering the program with 1000 documented clinical hours will complete a clinical log to demonstrate achievement of D.N.P. program and course outcomes. These clinical hours can include: activities related to implementing the D.N.P. project, for example, developing the clinical intervention, recruiting potential participants, meeting with potential participants, obtaining informed consent from participants, collecting data, entering data into a database, storing the data, analyzing data, conferring with a statistician, and conferring with members of the organization regarding your inquiry. Hours are not granted for activities related to course assignments such as writing the D.N.P. project paper, conducting the review of literature, writing the IRB application, editing your paper, and discussion posts. Students are encouraged to discuss with their D.N.P. Project Chair any activities in question.
The final project is presented to the D.N.P. Project committee via webinar. The expectation is that students will complete the project over the last 2 courses of the D.N.P. program. The final project presentation will be scheduled with the DNP Project Chair, then conducted during business hours, Monday - Friday; 9-5 EST. An incomplete grade cannot be provided for NSG 608a unless all course requirements are met and the student is between semesters and wanting to continue plans for the DNP Project. Students having difficulty in meeting course requirements and timelines due to challenges with the research setting are expected to inform their Chair as soon as the issue is self-identified. Students will need to take a withdrawal backdated to the last time the student participated in the classroom, go on a leave of absence, and retake NSG 608a when able to complete. Students who are unable to complete their Project over the allocated time frame of 2 courses may be eligible to register for a billable 3-credit hour course in an additional term, one time only, to meet the requirements of the project upon approval of the D.N.P. Project Chair and D.N.P. Program Coordinator.
An elective practicum course is available for students entering the M.S.-D.N.P. program with less than 400 hours from their master’s degree and Post-Graduate/APRN certificate programs. This course provides students with additional time to complete the required 1000 hours for the D.N.P. degree, prior to the start of the D.N.P. project.
NSG 609: D.N.P. Program Practicum; 250 clinical hours; 3 credits
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