Doctor of Nursing Practice (MSN to DNP) Area of Focus: Transformative Leadership: Systems

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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 potential or demonstrated leadership ability.

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

Curriculum

DNP Core

NSG - 600 Ldership in Evol Hlthcare Envir Credit(s): 3
NSG - 602 Healthcare 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 - 611 Financial & Business Concepts Credit(s): 3
NSG - 612 Appl Organiz Analysis/Mgt HR Credit(s): 3
NSG - 613 Data and Decision Making for Strategic Outcomes Management Credit(s): 3
NSG - 614 The Leader and Policy, Politics, Power, & Ethics Credit(s): 3
NSG - 616 Advanced Nurse Leadership Credit(s): 3

Subtotal: 15

DNP Practica and Project

NSG - 606 DNP Specialty Practicum Credit(s): 1-12
[Systems] Credit Hours: (1) (84 Clock Hours)
NSG - 607 DNP Immersion Residency Credit(s): 1-14
Credit Hours: (2) (168 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: 6

Total: 35

Minimum credits required: Successful completion of the Systems MSN to DNP track requires a minimum of 35 term hours for graduation. Upon review of an individual’s academic portfolio, additional courses or clinical hours may be required.

It is expected that previous clinical hours plus DNP Specialty Practicum and Immersion hours will be equal to or greater than 1000 clock hours.