Doctor of Nursing Practice - Family Nurse Practitioner (DNP-FNP)

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is designed for those nurses who are interested in assuming an advanced nursing practice role as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). DNP graduates are prepared as clinical experts in the delivery of primary care, with a focus on critical thinking, leadership, and policy skills needed to advocate and create changes in healthcare practice at all individual (patient and family) and aggregate (organization, community, public policy) levels.

About This Program

The program includes 1000 hours of immersion in clinical practice to build and assimilate knowledge for advanced practice at a high level of complexity. These experiences provide the context within which the final DNP scholarly project is completed. The DNP degree is built upon the generalist foundation acquired through a baccalaureate in nursing; advanced placement is also available for students with a prior master's degree in nursing.

Admission Requirements

• Admission to the program follows the general admissions policies & procedures for graduate programs outlined in the university catalog.
• A bachelor's degree in nursing from a regionally accredited college or university is required, prior to beginning the program.
• Applicants must have maintained a GPA of 3.0 or better in baccalaureate nursing coursework.
• Applicants must hold a current, unrestricted license to practice as a registered nurse in their state of practice.

Program Requirements

• 74 Semester Hours are required for the Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree.
• All credits in a graduate program must be minimally at the 500-level.
• At least fifty percent of the credit hours must be taken at CMU.
• Students must achieve a 3.00 cumulative GPA or higher in all CMU coursework.
• Students may not apply coursework with a grade lower than a "B" toward graduation requirements.

Course List

Required Core Courses

• NURS 500: Theoretical Foundations (3 credits)
• NURS 501: Evidence-Based Practice (2 credits)
• NURS 504: Advanced Health Policy and Ethics (2 credits)
• NURS 505: Advanced Quality Improvement and Leadership (3 credits)
• NURS 536: Leading Through Quality, Policy, and Ethics (3 credits)
• NURS 625: Statistics for Health Sciences (2 credits)
• NURS 626: Clinical Epidemiology (2 credits)
• NURS 700: Translational Evidence-Based Practice (2 credits)

Advanced Nursing Practice Cognate

• NURS 525: Advanced Pathophysiology (3 credits)
• NURS 526: Advanced Pharmacology for Nursing (3 credits)
• NURS 527: Advanced Health Assessment (2 credits)
• NURS 535: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (2 credits)
• NURS 577: Clinical Practicum: Advanced Health Assessment (1 credit)
• NURS 586: Clinical Practicum: Procedures and Diagnostic Testing (2 credits)
• NURS 600: Advanced Practice Nursing Issues (2 credits)
• NURS 601: Primary Care of the Infant, Child, and Adolescent (3 credits)
• NURS 602: Primary Care of the Adult (3 credits)
• NURS 603: Primary Care of the Older Person (3 credits)
• NURS 604: Primary Care of Rural and Underserved Populations (1 credit)
• NURS 605: Mental and Behavioral Health (2 credits)
• NURS 610: Clinical Practicum: Infant, Child, and Adolescent (2 credits)
• NURS 615: Clinical Practicum: Mental and Behavioral Health (1 credit)
• NURS 620: Clinical Practicum: Adult (3 credits)
• NURS 627: Health Systems in Advanced Nursing Practice (2 credits)
• NURS 630: Clinical Practicum: Older Person (3 credits)
• NURS 640: Clinical Practicum Capstone: Primary Care of Rural and Underserved Populations (3 credits)
• NURS 650: Clinical Preceptorship I (3 credits)
• NURS 652: Clinical Preceptorship II (3 credits)

DNP Scholarly Project

• NURS 660: Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Project: Identification (2 credits)
• NURS 750: Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Project: Design and Defend (3 credits)
• NURS 760: Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Project: Implementation and Evaluation (3 credits)

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

1. Build intra and interprofessional collaboration to improve health-care quality across diverse populations.
2. Compile and evaluate health care information systems to strengthen, support, or improve the health delivery system.
3. Interpret social justice, equity, and ethical policies in health care for complex decision making for individuals and populations.
4. Develop theoretical and scientific practice initiatives and/or policies for quality improvement to promote a culture of safety in diverse organizational cultures and populations.
5. Modify complex clinical situations and health care systems through the integration and utilization of evidence-based practice to promote optimal outcomes.
6. Improve the delivery of care to individuals, families, and communities through advanced nursing science.

Plan of Study

The program is designed to be completed over five years, with a detailed plan of study outlined for each semester.

Advising Process and DegreeWorks

Students are expected to work closely with a faculty advisor to plan their courses and ensure they are meeting all requirements for graduation. DegreeWorks is an online degree audit tool that helps students track their progress towards degree completion.

Graduation Process

Students must review their DegreeWorks audit, create a plan to meet any unmet requirements, and submit an "Intent to Graduate" form to the Registrar's Office in the first two months of the semester prior to completing their degree requirements.

Colorado Mesa University

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Overview:

Colorado Mesa University (CMU) is a public university located in Grand Junction, Colorado. It offers a wide range of academic programs, including undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as online courses and programs. CMU is known for its affordable tuition, small class sizes, and strong emphasis on hands-on learning.

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Services Offered:

CMU provides a comprehensive range of services to its students, including:

Admissions & Costs:

Admissions counseling, application process, financial aid, scholarships, tuition and fee information, and resources for admitted students.

Academics:

Program search, course catalog, degree requirements, graduate studies, online courses, non-credit courses, semester calendars, and academic advising.

Study and Performance Resources:

Library access, study room reservations, textbook purchasing, tutoring services, and transcript requests.

Getting Help:

IRIS (student assistance), accessibility services, career services, IT help desk, university center information, student services, student wellness center, tutoring, faculty contact information, campus office contacts, directory search, and campus maps.

Campus Life:

Dining services, housing and residence life, student life activities, campus safety, parking services, MAVcard campus ID, and resources for current students.

Events:

Calendar of events, performing arts, commencement ceremony, welcome week, homecoming, parents' weekend, student showcase, and event space reservations.

Campus Activities:

Outdoor program, recreation center, NCAA athletics, clubs and organizations, club sports, and intramural sports.

Working Here:

Faculty and staff employment opportunities, student employment, human resources, and payroll.

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

CMU offers a vibrant campus life with a strong sense of community. Students can participate in a wide range of activities, including:

Outdoor Adventures:

The Outdoor Program provides opportunities for outdoor trips and equipment rentals.

Social Engagement:

Student life offers numerous on-campus activities, clubs, and yearly concerts.

Downtown Exploration:

Grand Junction's historic downtown provides dining, shopping, and entertainment options.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

Affordable Education:

CMU offers a quality education at a competitive price, with one of the lowest tuition rates in Colorado.

Small Class Sizes:

Students benefit from personalized attention and close relationships with professors.

Hands-on Learning:

CMU emphasizes practical experience and prepares students for successful careers.

Vibrant Campus Life:

Students can enjoy a diverse range of activities, clubs, and events.

Beautiful Location:

Grand Junction offers a sunny climate and access to outdoor recreation.

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Academic Programs:

CMU offers over 120 academic programs across various disciplines, including:

Arts and Humanities:

Art, Communication, English, History, Music, Theatre, and more.

Business and Technology:

Business Administration, Computer Science, Engineering, Hospitality Management, and more.

Education:

Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Special Education, and more.

Health Sciences:

Nursing, Health Sciences, and more.

Social Sciences:

Criminal Justice, Psychology, Sociology, and more.

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Other:

CMU has additional locations, including:

CMU Tech:

A technical college offering associate degrees and certificates.

Montrose Campus:

A branch campus offering select undergraduate programs.

CMU also offers online programs through its Distance Education program.