Doctor of Nursing Practice (MSN to DNP - APRN) Population/Role: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

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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

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 - 575 Psychopharmacology Credit(s): 3
NSG - 576 Neuropathophysiology: Life Span Approach Credit(s): 3
NSG - 577A Diagnostics & Management I: Psychiatric Assessment Across Life Span Credit(s): 3
NSG - 577B Diagnostics & Management II: Evidence-Based Treatment Credit(s): 3
NSG - 577C Diagnostics Management III:Group Therapy and Complex Care Credit(s): 3

Subtotal: 15

DNP Practica and Project

NSG - 606 DNP Specialty Practicum Credit(s): 1-12
Credit Hours: (6) (504 Clock Hours)
NSG - 607 DNP Immersion Residency Credit(s): 1-15
Credit Hours: (3) (252 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

Total: 41

Minimum credits required: Successful completion of the PMHNP MSN to DNP track for APRNs requires a minimum of 41 term hours for graduation. Upon review of an individual’s academic portfolio, additional courses or clinical hours may be required.

A gap analysis will be performed, and an individualized program of study will be developed based on previous graduate education completed with evidence of the following coursework:

Advanced Health Assessment Across the Life Span
Advanced Pathophysiology
Advanced Pharmacology
Transition to the APRN Role
Research
Biostatistics/Epidemiology

It is expected that previous clinical hours plus DNP Specialty Practicum and Immersion hours will be equal to or greater than 1,000 clock hours.