Program Overview

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a practice-focused degree that prepares clinical scholars for leadership, evidence-based care, and healthcare delivery that improves systems and patient outcomes. The purpose of the DNP is to develop competencies in quality improvement and safety that enhance outcomes important to patients, families, providers, and organizations.

Program Overview

• Two entry points are available: post-Baccalaureate and post-Master.
• Two clinical areas are offered: Nurse Anesthesia and Nurse Practitioner.
• The Nurse Practitioner program covers several advanced practice specialty areas, including:
  • Adult/Gerontology Acute Care
  • Family
  • Psychiatric/Mental Health
• Non-nurse practitioner tracks include:
  • Nurse Leadership and Administration
  • Nurse Informatics

Advisement

All DNP students are advised by a DNP faculty member throughout the program. The student is assigned an advisor upon admission to the program. The advisor provides advisement assistance in the transition into the DNP program and completion of the Clinical Scholarship Portfolio (CSP). The advisor serves as the DNP Project advisor. Selection of the advisor is based on a match between the student's clinical interest and that of the faculty member's expertise.

Degree Plan

The student and the advisor will complete a degree plan to specify which courses are to be taken to complete the degree requirements. Both the student and advisor will sign the completed plan and submit it electronically to the Senior Administrative Coordinator for the DNP program, who will file it in the CSON Student Affairs Office. Any changes must be approved by the faculty advisor.

Graduation Policy

The following outlines the requirements for eligibility to graduate:

• Complete the required courses as outlined for the DNP program
• Earn a grade of "B" or higher in all required courses
• Submit an approved Clinical Scholarship Portfolio according to the established timeline and contents
• Apply for graduation prior to the deadline established each term
• Be enrolled during the term of graduation
• Pay the required graduation fee of $150
• Clear all designated services on the clearance form
• Complete the DNP curriculum within five years from admission or have been granted an extension

Academic Requirements for DNP Progression

Withdrawing from Courses

Students may withdraw from a course with the approval of the instructor at any time up to and including the last day of class in any semester. The symbol "W" is recorded to indicate a drop without prejudice and penalty. If a graduate student with a grade less than "B" chooses to withdraw after the deadline for "W" grade, a grade of "WF" will be recorded. WF is considered a failing grade and is used in calculating the GPA value.

Withdrawal Requiring Application for Readmission

Students withdrawing from the Cizik School of Nursing who wish to be considered for readmission must submit a written request to the CSON Student Affairs Office.

Student Responsibility

The student is held responsible for knowing degree requirements and enrolling in courses that fulfill the degree program. Students are also held responsible for knowing the Cizik School of Nursing's policies for continuance in the DNP Program.