Doctor of Nursing Practice

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree is for nurses who are interested in an advanced practice role as a family nurse practitioner (FNP) and nurse leader in healthcare systems. The DNP-FNP curriculum is based on guidelines and competencies established by the Colorado Board of Nursing, American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), and the National Task Force for Quality Nurse Practitioner Education (NTF). DNP graduates work as FNPs in direct patient care and as leaders in academic, healthcare, or community-based systems. DNP-FNP program graduates are eligible to take the national FNP certifying examination and are eligible for licensure as an FNP.

Program Overview

Courses are delivered via an online format allowing students to reside in their home communities. However, students travel to complete clinical hours (e.g., rural health). Courses are delivered via an online format allowing students to reside in their home communities. Objective standardized clinical exams (OSCEs), and graduate program student intensive (GPSI) sessions are held in both in-person and online formats. The DNP program requires students to complete a minimum of 1000 clinical hours, 800 of which must be in direct care. The remainder of the hours may be in indirect care (e.g., simulation, leadership, health policy), including hours spent on the students' DNP scholarly projects.

Admission to the DNP-FNP Program

Students must have the following for the duration of their time in the Graduate Nursing Program:

• Earned bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN) from an accredited program.
• Unencumbered registered nurse (RN) license from a US state or territory. This must be maintained for the duration of enrollment in the Graduate Nursing Program.
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for health care providers. This must be maintained for the duration of enrollment in the Graduate Nursing Program.
• Malpractice insurance as a nurse practitioner student. This must be maintained for the duration of enrollment in the Graduate Nursing Program.
• Criminal background check.
• Drug screen.
• Current immunizations. This must be maintained for the duration of enrollment in the Graduate Nursing Program. Exemptions are accepted by the program, based on the state of Colorado's policies. Immunization status may be evaluated by health care organizations prior to student placement.
• All students must provide proof of training in cultural competency and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) prior to enrollment in clinical courses.

General Policies

Up to nine credit hours may be taken as non-degree seeking and later applied towards program requirements. Up to 18 credits of applicable courses, with a grade of "B" or higher, may be transferred from an accredited institution. Additional information may be found in the Transfer Credit section.

Program of Study

The DNP program includes coursework in:

• Advanced pharmacology
• Advanced pathophysiology
• Advanced health assessment
• Primary care across the lifespan (pediatrics, adults, older adults)
• Rural/underserved populations
• Quality improvement
• Health policy
• Leadership
• Health systems change The last two years of the program include students' completion of their DNP scholarly projects. The scholarly project requires students to develop, implement, and evaluate a primary care-focused intervention to address a clinical gap in practice. Students present their scholarly project publicly and submit their original work for publication at the conclusion of the DNP program.

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.