Nursing Practice, D.N.P.

Purpose

The distance education 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 of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice (AACN, 2006) are applied to the curriculum. 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 final D.N.P. Project where students integrate acquired knowledge to clinical practice in their preferred specialty area.

D.N.P. Program Outcomes

The D.N.P. Program at Wilkes University prepares students to:

1. Apply scientific inquiry and information technology to become leaders in advancing nursing practice.
2. Demonstrate application of scholarship and research for solving the nation’s complex health problems.
3. Translate evidence based research into clinical practice.
4. Integrate and disseminate knowledge for improving patient and population health outcomes.
5. Engage in health care policy.

D.N.P. Student Learning Outcomes

Students in the D.N.P. Program at Wilkes University will:

1. Synthesize nursing science to manage complex health problems and improve health outcomes in advanced nursingpractice.
2. Develop knowledge and skills in healthcare organizational and systems leadership to improve evidence based practice and policy.
3. Critically analyze information technology, research methodology, quality improvement methodology to implement the best evidence based practice.
4. Design patient care technology and information systems to enhance quality of health care delivery.
5. Evaluate health care policies to improve health care policy outcomes at the local, state, and national levels.
6. Employ specialized knowledge and leadership skills when collaborating and leading other inter-professional health care teams in complex health care delivery systems.
7. Analyze health disparities, cultural diversity, environmental and societal needs in the care of individuals, aggregates, andpopulations.
8. Demonstrate advanced levels of clinical judgment using systems thinking to implement and evaluate evidence based care.

Admission Requirements

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.

Admission Criteria

• Master of Science in Nursing degree
• 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.
• Official transcripts from master’s degree and post-graduate/APRN certificate granting institutions, as appropriate.
• Unencumbered RN license and advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) license* and national board certification, as appropriate
• Completed online application
• Curriculum vitae
• Validation of completed, supervised 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.
• Evidence of completion for advanced health assessment, advanced pharmacology, and advanced pathophysiology by APRN students (Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Nurse Anesthetists and Nurse Midwives) who do not hold current national certification.

* 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.