Nursing Practice, DNP

Purpose

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a practice-focused doctoral nursing degree designed for nurses seeking careers in advanced clinical nursing practice and nurse executive ranks. The purpose of this program is to prepare advanced practice nurses to translate academic research, promote evidence based practice, and develop systems of care based on research utilization.  The  DNP curriculum will provide certified registered nurse anesthetists, certified nurse practitioners, certified clinical nurse specialists, nurse administrators, and public and community health nurses 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 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

 BSN to DNP

 Applicants should have earned a master’s degree in nursing or a master’s degree in another related field. A background in nursing or health care management is desirable. Specific admission requirements are listed as follows:

1. Completed DNP application packet
2. Official transcripts from a regionally accredited college or university documenting the award of a BSN or BSN equivalent* and a Master’s degree in nursing**. All previous undergraduate and graduate transcripts must be submitted.  All nursing course credit earned must be from a specialized nursing accredited program. *A BSN equivalent does not meet admission requirement without the conferral of a Master’s degree.  **Students who have a Master’s degree in another field may be accommodated on an individual basis as prescribed by the respective Program Director.
3. A grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all undergraduate and graduate course work reflected on transcript(s).
4. Official scores for the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) of 300 (or higher) when combining the verbal and quantitative scores on the 130-170 score scale are required from within the last five (5) years. Writing score must be a 3.5 or higher from within the last five (5) years.
5. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). All international students applying must take the TOEFL, and submit official scores to the Office of Admission. A written-based score of 550, computer-based score of 213, or Internet-based score of 79 is required for full admission. Applicants may retake the TOEFL exam.
6. One example of a published or unpublished scholarly paper written by the applicant and submitted with the application.
7. A current unencumbered RN license to practice nursing in any state with eligibility for licensure in Louisiana is required. All APRN students must possess a current unencumbered advanced practice license to practice advance practice nursing in any state with eligibility for licensure in LA.
8. American Heart Association (AHA) BLS/Healthcare Provider is required and must be submitted with the application.*Nurse Anesthesia - in addition to BLS/Healthcare Provider, must possess  Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS). A copy of certification must be submitted with the application. These certifications must be maintained throughout enrollment.
9. Submit three letters of recommendations. One recommendation must be from a peer and the other one from a supervisor.
10. A personal interview with the DNP admissions
11. Nurse Anesthesia specific requirements
    1. Complete the practice survey

POST-MASTERS DNP

Applicants should have earned a master’s degree in nursing or a master’s degree in another related field. A background in nursing or healthcare management is desirable. Specific admission requirements are listed as follows:

1. Completed DNP application packet
2. Official transcripts from a regionally accredited college or university documenting the award of a BSN or BSN equivalent* and a Master’s degree in nursing**. All previous undergraduate and graduate transcripts must be submitted.  All nursing course credit earned must be from a specialized nursing accredited program. *A BSN equivalent does not meet admission requirement without the conferral of a Master’s degree.  **Students who have a Master’s degree in another field may be accommodated on an individual basis as prescribed by the respective Program Director.
3. A grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all undergraduate and graduate course work reflected on transcript(s).
4. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). All international students applying must take the TOEFL, and submit official scores to the Office of Admission. A written-based score of 550, computer-based score of 213, or Internet-based score of 79 is required for full admission. Applicants may retake the TOEFL exam.
5. One example of a published or unpublished scholarly paper written by the applicant and submitted with the application.
6. A current unencumbered RN license to practice nursing in any state with eligibility for licensure in Louisiana is required. All APRN students must possess a current unencumbered advanced practice license to practice advance practice nursing in any state with eligibility for licensure in LA.
7. APRN’s must present verification of certification.
8. American Heart Association (AHA) BLS/Healthcare Provider is required and must be submitted with the application.*CRNA’s - in addition to BLS/Healthcare Provider, must possess  Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS). A copy of certification must be submitted with the application. These certifications must be maintained throughout enrollment.
9. Submit three letters of recommendations. One recommendation must be from a peer and the other one from a supervisor.
10. A personal interview with the DNP admissions committee.
11. Submit a current Resume’
12. Experience:
    1. Primary care Family Nurse Practitioner - a minimum of one year direct patient care experience within the last 5 years.
    2. Neonatal Nurse Practitioner - two years experience in Level III NICU.
    3. Executive Nurse Leader - A minimum of one year of clinical nursing experience.
    4. Nurse Anesthesia - minimum of one year, full-time experience within the previous two (2) years at the timeof application to the program.

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 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

 BSN TO DNP

Students must meet the following graduation requirements:

1. Satisfactory completion of the required 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.

 POST-MASTERS DNP

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