Program Overview

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Nursing Practice, DNP: Family Nurse Practitioner

The Doctor of Nursing Practice program at UWM prepares nurses for the highest academic preparation in clinical nursing. The DNP will prepare practitioners who are able to use their education and expertise in evidence-based practice in providing outstanding care and collaborative leadership to improve clinical care delivery, patient outcomes, and system management.

Overview of the Program

There are three entry options for the Doctor of Nursing (DNP) Practice Program:

• Program for individuals with a bachelor's degree in nursing and a current Registered Nurse license.
• Program for individuals with an advanced practice master's degree in nursing and a current Registered Nurse license.
• Program for individuals with a master of nursing (or equivalent) degree and a current Registered Nurse license.

Admission Requirements

The admission requirements of the DNP program in Nursing are consistent with those requirements specified by the Graduate School of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. In addition, students must also meet the following requirements for the School of Nursing:

• A bachelor's degree or a master's in Nursing from a professionally accredited program, with a minimum undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0 (4.0 scale).
• One year of RN experience.
• Completion with a grade of B or higher of an upper-level undergraduate course in statistics within the last five years.
• A current unencumbered Registered Nurse license.
• Three (3) letters of recommendation for graduate study in nursing, two (2) of which are from persons most knowledgeable about the applicant's recent academic and work experiences.
• Completion of a personal statement.
• Current CV or resume.
• Submission of one writing sample.
• Personal interview with a faculty member may be requested.

Credits and Courses

Post Baccalaureate Curriculum

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a three-year, full-time, 65-credit post-baccalaureate program, which includes:

• 30 credit hours of core theoretical courses
• An advanced nursing practice core (9 credits)
• A research core (9 credits)
• A systems core (12 credits)
• 27 credits hours of specialty theory and practicum courses
• 8 credits in the DNP Project Core

Course List:

• NURS 726: Advanced Perspectives on Cultural Diversity and Disparities in Health Care (3 credits)
• NURS 728: Epidemiological Principles for Population Health (3 credits)
• NURS 735: Theory for Advanced Practice (3 credits)
• NURS 720: Biostatistics and Applications for Nursing Practice (3 credits)
• NURS 725: Evidence Based Practice in Healthcare (3 credits)
• NURS 805: Translational and Implementation Science (3 credits)
• NURS 750: Outcomes and Quality Management (3 credits)
• NURS 773: Information Systems to Support Clinical Decision-Making (3 credits)
• NURS 803: Health Policy (3 credits)
• NURS 804: Healthcare Organization and Systems Leadership for Advanced Practice (3 credits)
• Specialty Theory and Practicum (27 credits)
• NURS 993: DNP Project I: Plan (2 credits)
• NURS 994: DNP Project II: Proposal (2 credits)
• NURS 995: DNP Project III: Leadership Practice Immersion 1 (4 credits)

Post Generalist Master's Curriculum (MN or equivalent)

The Post Generalist Master's Curriculum is a minimum of 41 credits that builds upon the required entry point of a Generalist Master's in Nursing (MN or equivalent).

Course List:

• NURS 726: Advanced Perspectives on Cultural Diversity and Disparities in Health Care (3 credits)
• NURS 728: Epidemiological Principles for Population Health (3 credits)
• NURS 735: Theory for Advanced Practice (3 credits)
• NURS 804: Healthcare Organization and Systems Leadership for Advanced Practice (3 credits)
• NURS 805: Translational and Implementation Science (3 credits)
• Specialty Theory and Practicum (18 credits)
• NURS 993: DNP Project I: Plan (2 credits)
• NURS 994: DNP Project II: Proposal (2 credits)
• NURS 995: DNP Project III: Leadership Practice Immersion 1 (4 credits)

Family Nurse Practitioner Requirements

• Advanced Practice Specialty Core (9 credits)
• Specialty Theory Electives (12 credits)
• Practicum in the Area of Specialization (9 credits)

Additional Requirements

• Faculty Advisor: The student must have a Faculty Advisor to advise and supervise the student's studies.
• Leadership Practice Immersion: A 4-credit DNP Project III experience that includes 460 additional clinical hours in the student's specialty focus area.
• Time Limit: Students in the post baccalaureate DNP program must complete all degree requirements within seven years, and students in the post master's DNP program must complete all degree requirements within five years.
• Minimum Grade Requirement: Students must achieve a minimum grade of B- in all required nursing courses.
• Residence: The student must meet minimum Graduate School residence requirements.
• DNP Project II: Proposal/Doctoral Preliminary Examination: The student must pass a doctoral preliminary examination to qualify for formal admission to candidacy for degree.
• DNP Project III: Leadership Practice Immersion: The candidate will complete a final comprehensive clinical project as part of the Leadership Practice Immersion experience.