Nursing Practice, DNP

Purpose

The purpose of the post-master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice curriculum is to provide certified registered nurse anesthetist, certified nurse practitioner, certified nurse-midwife, and certified clinical nurse specialist, nursing administration, and advanced public/community health nursing with education beyond that required for entry into practice to meet the need for safe, quality patient care in an increasingly complex health care environment. The program emphasizes critical thinking, careful assessment of current practices, and decision-making based on evaluation of the best available research. Additionally, the proposed offering will serve to meet the growing need for insightful, visionary leaders and educators in the specialty.

Outcomes

Upon completion of the post-master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program, the graduate will be able to achieve the following outcomes:

1. Initiate, facilitate and participate in professional, collegial and collaborative efforts.
2. Identify healthcare needs and interventions for individuals, families and populations.
3. Design, implement, manage, and evaluate organizational systems to address complex healthcare delivery needs and problems.
4. Provide educational, clinical, and administrative leadership at the local/state/national levels.
5. Meet the challenges and needs of an increasingly complex health care delivery system as it relates to healthcare policy, standards of care and practice guidelines for advanced nursing practice.
6. Integrate high ethical, legal and professional standards into: a) decision making in clinical practice; b) application of research; and c) use of technology and information systems.
7. Design, monitor and evaluate clinical systems, processes, policies and procedures.
8. Generate a caring, collegial, collaborative nursing practice environment.
9. Analyze social, economic, political and policy components affecting healthcare planning and delivery.
10. Synthesize and integrate divergent viewpoints for the purpose of providing culturally competent healthcare.
11. Translate, evaluate and apply research for evidence-based practice.
12. Integrate knowledge from theories of nursing as well as natural and social sciences into clinical practice.

Admissions Criteria

1. Completed DNP application packet
2. Official transcripts from the accredited college or university documenting the award of a BSN or BSN equivalent and Master’s degree in nursing, and all previous undergraduate and graduate transcripts. *A student who has a baccalaureate or a master’s degree in another field may be accommodated on an individual basis as prescribed by a faculty advisor.
3. A grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
4. Official scores for the Miller Analogy Test (MAT) or Graduate Record Exam (GRE) from within the past five years.
5. One example of a published scholarly paper written by the applicant and submitted with the application.
6. A current unencumbered license to practice nursing and advanced practice nursing in any state, with eligibility for licensure in Louisiana for the roles of certified registered nurse anesthetist, certified nurse practitioner, and clinical nurse specialist.
7. APRN’s must present verification of certification.
8. For non-advanced practice nurses, a current unencumbered license to practice nursing in any state, with eligibility for licensure in Louisiana.
9. Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. For certified registered nurse anesthetists, Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification.
10. A one to two page paper describing the applicants proposed area of practice for the final scholarly project that is congruent with the DNP program outcomes.
11. Completion of three letters of recommendation.
12. A personal interview with the DNP admissions committee.
13. Submit a current Curriculum Vita.
14. A minimum score of 550 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for all applicants who have English as a second language or who are not graduates of programs in the United States.

Residency or Foreign Language Requirements

There are no foreign language requirements for the doctor of nursing practice program of study.

Transfer Credit

Graduate students may petition to transfer credits from other accredited universities for application to LSUHSC degree programs. The maximum transfer allowed is fifteen semester hours when studying at the doctoral level. Graduate course work may be transferred provided each course:

1. Fulfills the requirements specified in the student’s graduate degree plan.
2. Achieved a grade of “B” or better in course(s).
3. Was not counted toward another degree or taken through correspondence courses.
4. Was completed within the eight year time limit for the degree.
5. Transfer credit for each course may be requested and applied to a graduate degree only one time.

Students will not receive credit for any course taken outside LSUHSC when it is offered the same semester at LSUHSC or the LSU System. Petitions must be approved by the student’s faculty advisor or major professor and the Associate Dean for the perspective program or the Dean.

Time Limit for Degree

The School of Nursing requires that all work towards a post-master’s DNP degree be completed in not more than eight calendar years. A one-time, one year extension can be granted by the Dean and the LSUHSC Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs upon a written request from the doctoral student, and with the support of the Faculty Advisor. This one-time, one year extension can only be granted under extreme circumstances. Approval from Admission, Progression, & Graduation (A, P & G) committee is also required.

Academic Progression in DNP Program

Registration for any course must be approved by the student’s faculty advisor or major professor. Eligibility to progress in the doctoral program is dependent on satisfactory performance in all courses. This refers to:

1. Passing all courses with a “B” or higher
2. Maintaining an overall GPA of 3.0

Scholarly Inquiry Project

The Scholarly Inquiry Project is a culminating experience for the doctoral program, representing the student’s ability to formulate a project in a specific role and population and implement it from start to finish using a combination of conceptual, technical, and applied knowledge. The scholarly inquiry project is an evidence-based project completed by the DNP student over three semesters.

Requirements for Graduation Doctor of Nursing Practice

Students must meet the following graduation requirements:

1. Satisfactory completion of the required (40-55) semester hours of course work as specified by the curriculum.
2. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on all course work, with no grade lower than a B.
3. Completion and satisfactory defense of a scholarly inquiry project.
4. Completion and submission of a clinical scholarship portfolio at the completion of the series of advanced practicum courses.
5. Recommendation of the Faculty, and approval by the Admissions, Progression and Graduation Committee.
6. Attendance at rehearsal, pre-commencement and commencement unless specifically excused by the Dean.
7. Verification that all materials belonging to the Health Science Center and cooperating agencies have been returned through the proper procedures. These materials would include such items as library books, equipment, keys, furniture or related items.
8. Satisfactory status concerning all financial obligations to the LSU System,

Curriculum

• Nursing Practice Curriculum (Post Master’s)