Mar 28, 2024  
Catalog/Bulletin 2015-2016 
    
Catalog/Bulletin 2015-2016 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Doctor of Nursing Practice, DNP


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 research, promote evidence based practice, and develop systems of care based on research utilization. LSUHSC School of Nursing is the only school of nursing in Louisiana affiliated within an academic health sciences center which affords students unique opportunities for interprofessional education and research.

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 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 baccalaureate degree in nursing . 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*. All previous undergraduate transcripts must be submitted.  All nursing course credit earned must be from an accredited nursing  program. *A BSN equivalent does not meet admission requirement without the conferral of a bachelor’s degree.
  3. A grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all undergraduate 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. A current unencumbered RN license to practice nursing in any state with eligibility for licensure in Louisiana is required.
  7. 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.
  8. Submit three letters of recommendations. One recommendation must be from a peer and the other one from a supervisor.
  9. A personal interview with the DNP admissions committee.
  10. Nurse Anesthesia specific requirements
    1. Complete the practice survey
  11. 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 (2) year’s experience in Level III NICU.
    3. Executive Nurse Leader - a minimum of one (1) years of clinical nursing experience.
    4. Nurse Anesthesia - minimum of one year, full-time experiences within the previous two (2) years at time of application to the program.
    5. Adult gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist - one (1) year clinical nursing experience.

 

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’.

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.

No courses may be transferred for credit in the last thirty (30) hours of the curriculum.

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


Note


DNP Core Courses are held on Monday through Saturday a minimum of five times during a semester. Students’ practicum experiences may occur weekdays, and/or weekends, including evening and night shifts.

 

Doctor of Nursing Practice Curriculum Tracks

  • Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist
  • Executive Nurse Leader
  • Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
  • Nurse Anesthesia
  • Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Public Community Health Clinical Nurse Specialist

Curriculum


Master of Science in Nursing


The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) are specialized professional degrees similar to others offered in the LSU System. The total number of credits for the degree is between 36 to 50 semester hours (excluding Nurse Anesthesia). Students may attend full or part time. A curriculum plan is designed by the student and faculty advisor in accordance with the student’s educational goals and interests. Core courses are required of students regardless of selected role and concentration.. The structure and content of the curriculum are based on the rationale that theory provides the conceptual basis for nursing practice. Courses are arranged so that theory and practice are presented concurrently.

Core Nursing Courses


Core nursing courses contain essential content relevant to the preparation of graduates with the Master of Nursing (MN) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. The core courses include an examination of theories, trends, and issues which shape nursing, competencies of advanced practice, and principles and concepts of research Core courses for the MN and MSN curriculum include:

NURS 6303 Research Design and Methodology 
NURS 6304 Evidence-Based Nursing Practice 
NURS 6305 Foundations of Advanced Nursing Practice 
NURS 6306 Healthcare Leadership & the Advanced Practice Nurse 

**MSN degree/Nurse Educator and MN/Nursing Administration in specialty concentration are not required to take Nursing 6306 Healthcare Leadership and the Advanced Practice Nurse .

Core Non-Nursing Courses


The core non-nursing course that is required for all MN and MSN students is:

  [4 credits].

Core Clinical Nursing Courses


Core clinical nursing course are requires of all advanced practice nursing students with a focus on direct patient care.

NURS 6315 Advanced Health Assessment & Diagnostic Measurement ; HLSC 6410 Pathophysiology **
HLSC 6409 Advanced Pharmacology 

*Neonatal Nurse Practtioner students are required to take NURS 6334 Advanced neonatal Assessment  instead of NURS 6315 Advanced Health Assessment ; and NURS 6335 Neonatal Physiology  instead of HLSC 6410 Pathophysiology .

Nurse Anesthesia  students do not take HLSC 6410 .

Nursing Role and Population Concentration


The nursing role and population concentration for the Master of Nursing Degree include: Adult Health Nursing Clinical Nurse Specialist, Psychiatric-Community Mental Health Nursing Clinical Nurse Specialist; Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner; Nurse Anesthesia; Advanced Public Health-Community Health Nursing, and Nursing Administration. Each nursing role and population concentration builds on the knowledge and skills acquired in the Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing and emphasize the utilization of theoretical formulations as a basis for nursing practice. Graduates are prepared for direct administrative, community health or advanced clinical practice as providers and organizers of the health care delivery system.