Program Overview

Doctor of Nursing Practice

The Doctor of Nursing Practice program is designed for nurses seeking a terminal degree in nursing practice. DNP-prepared nurses are equipped to serve as clinical experts, change agents, and advocates in addressing healthcare in our nation. Specific areas of focus include: advanced practice skills, healthcare policy, organizational and systems leadership, interprofessional collaboration, evidence-based research, healthcare technology, informatics, and patient advocacy. The DNP program at ODU is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Post Master's Neonatal Clinical Nurse Specialist DNP

The Post Masters Neonatal CNS Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) concentration has been developed to address a growing demand from advanced practice nurses. The program of study prepares students as expert clinicians in the application of evidence-based knowledge within the realms of nursing interventions, teaching, and research. This Post-Masters Clinical Nurse Specialist DNP program is targeted to licensed, registered nurses with an MSN.

The program requires course content in theory, research, education, and Neonatal CNS professional and clinical cores. The curriculum is designed to prepare nurses as Neonatal Clinical Nurse Specialists. Graduates of this program are eligible to sit for the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) Acute Care Neonatal (ACCNS-N) Exam. The Neonatal Clinical Nurse Specialist DNP is offered in an online/hybrid format.

Admission Requirements

In addition to meeting University requirements, applicants must meet the admission criteria below.

• Current, unencumbered license as a registered nurse (RN).
• Master's degree in nursing or a related field from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum of 3.0 grade point average.
• Baccalaureate degree in nursing or related field from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum of a 3.0 grade point average.
• Three letters of recommendation, with at least one from a former faculty member and at least two from former employers.
• A 500-700 word essay that should speak specifically to the concentration area to which you are applying.
• Current Resume
• Prior successful completion (grade of B or better) of the following courses in a previous APRN MSN program, preferred within 5 years of admission:
  • Advanced Pathophysiology
  • Advanced Physical Assessment
  • Advanced Pharmacology

Curriculum

The following courses are required for the Post Master's Neonatal Clinical Nurse Specialist DNP:

• NURS 738: Clinical Nurse Specialist I: Introduction to Practice (2 credits)
• NURS 739: Clinical Nurse Specialist Practicum I: Role Socialization (4 credits)
• NURS 751: Developmental Neonatal Physiology (2 credits)
• NURS 756: Clinical Nurse Specialist II: Transition to Practice (3 credits)
• NURS 757: Clinical Nurse Specialist Practicum II: Role Transition (5 credits)
• NURS 772: Foundations of Advanced Neonatal Care (3 credits)
• NURS 773: Pharmacology for Advanced Neonatal Care (3 credits)
• NURS 774: Advanced Neonatal Care: High Risk Management I (3 credits)
• NURS 775: Advanced Neonatal Care: High Risk Management II (3 credits)
• NURS 805: Application of Practice-Based Research Methods (2 credits)
• NURS 806: Proposal Development and Database Management (4 credits)
• NURS 807: Informatics and Healthcare Technology (3 credits)
• NURS 810: Leadership in Complex Systems and Organizations (3 credits)
• NURS 812: Evidence-Based Management for Quality Healthcare (3 credits)
• NURS 814: Competitive Resource Design and Utilization (3 credits)
• NURS 816: DNP Executive Practicum I (2 credits)
• NURS 817: DNP Executive Practicum II (2 credits)
• NURS 818: DNP Executive Practicum III (3 credits)
• NURS 819: DNP Executive Practicum IV (3 credits)
• NURS 890: DNP Nursing Capstone (3 credits)

Additional Requirements

Additional requirements include physical exams, CPR certification, immunization requirements, computer competencies and technical standards, background checks, and urine drug screening.

Graduation Requirements

To graduate from Old Dominion University's DNP Program, a student must have successfully completed all required course work, including prerequisite courses of NURS 800 and NURS 809, an evidence-based research project, and all clinical practicum.