Doctor of Nursing Practice (BSN to DNP) Population/Role: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)

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This area of focus is a post-master’s practice doctorate that prepares graduates for systems-level leadership and improving outcomes in a variety of settings. Students considered for admission should have leadership experience.

Terminal Objectives

The DNP degree is designed to prepare graduates to function as highly developed clinicians and leaders in advanced nursing practice or systems of care. Graduates are prepared to practice in a variety of complex clinical, organizational and educational systems with diverse populations, and are able to affect changes in health care outcomes through evidence-based decision-making and system redesign.

Integrate science-based theories and data-based concepts to develop, critically appraise and implement practice approaches that improve health care and health care systems
Apply organizational theories and systems thinking to improve the quality, cost-effectiveness and safety outcomes of practice decisions and initiatives
Apply effective strategies for managing the ethical dilemmas inherent in patient care, the health care organization and research
Apply knowledge of informatics to monitor and improve outcomes, programs and systems of care
Provide leadership in influencing policies on the financing, regulation and delivery of health care
Lead interprofessional teams to improve patient and population health outcomes
Function independently in an advanced nursing role to improve health outcomes in a specialty area of practice

Graduation Requirements

The DNP degree requires a minimum of 62 term hours of post-baccalaureate or 30 term hours of post-master’s study. All Doctor of Nursing Practice students must complete degree requirements within five years.

Curriculum

Graduate Nursing Core

NSG - 521 Organizational & Systems Leader Credit(s): 3
NSG - 522 Applied Epidemiology Biostats Nursing Credit(s): 3
NSG - 523 Research for Evidence-Based Practice Credit(s): 3
NSG - 524 Health Promotion in Individuals & Clinical Populations Credit(s): 3

Subtotal: 12

Advanced Practice Nursing Core

NSG - 531 Advanced Pharmacology Credit(s): 3
NSG - 532 Advanced Physiology Credit(s): 3
NSG - 533 Advanced Pathophysiology Credit(s): 3
NSG - 535 Diagnostics for the APRN Credit(s): 3
NSG - 537 Transition to the APRN Role Credit(s): 3
NSG - 625 Advanced Health Assessment-APRN Across Life Span Credit(s): 2
NSG - 625L Advanced Health Assessment-APRN: Lab Credit(s): 1

Subtotal: 18

DNP Core

NSG - 600 Leadership in Evolving Health Care Environments Credit(s): 3
NSG - 602 Health Care Economics, Policy, Finance Credit(s): 3
NSG - 608 Program Evaluation Credit(s): 3
NSG - 610 DNP Project Planning and Implementation Credit(s): 3
NSG - 615 DNP Project Proposal Seminar Credit(s): 2

Subtotal: 14

Population/Role Cognates

NSG - 570A Pharmacotherapeutics Acute Care Credit(s): 3
NSG - 571A Management: Adult/Gerontology I Credit(s): 3
NSG - 571C Management: Adult/Gerontology Acute & Critical Illness I Credit(s): 4
NSG - 571D Management:Adult/Gerontology Acute & Critical Illness II Credit(s): 2
NSG - 572 Quality & Safety for the Aging Adult Credit(s): 3

Subtotal: 15 Hours

DNP Practica and Project

NSG - 606 DNP Specialty Practicum Credit(s): 1-12
Credit Hours: (4) (336 Clock Hours)
NSG - 607 DNP Immersion Residency Credit(s): 1-15
Credit Hours: (5) (420 Clock Hours)
NSG - 609A DNP Project Practicum A Credit(s): 1 (84 Clock Hours)
NSG - 609B DNP Project Practicum B Credit(s): 1 (84 Clock Hours)
NSG - 609C DNP Project Practicum C Credit(s): 1 (84 Clock Hours)

Subtotal: 12 Hours

Total: 71

Minimum credits required: Successful completion of the AGACNP BSN to DNP track requires a minimum of 71 term hours for graduation. Upon review of an individual’s academic portfolio, additional courses or clinical hours may be required.