DNP Preparatory Program DNP - Doctor of Nursing Practice

This course provides learners with an overview of the diverse roles and practice credentials of a master’s-prepared nurse. Learners gain insight into various aspects of master’slevel nursing practice, such as interpersonal collaboration, use of technology, and cultural competency, as well as ethical, regulatory, and legal principles as they relate to advanced nursing practice. Learners also identify the theoretical foundation(s) of current and future practice in nursing. Only learners with an RN license can register for this course.

Learners in this course explore the leadership skills necessary for today’s nursing leaders. Learners develop and demonstrate the ethical, legal, and critical decision-making skills needed to support organizational and systems change and to promote critical high-quality safe care for the people they serve. Other leadership skills include addressing the needs of diverse populations, providing quality improvement and resource management, bolstering team and interprofessional relationship building, and participating in strategic planning. Throughout the course, learners also evaluate the leadership styles vital to effecting and sustaining change in today’s health care system. Only learners with an RN license can register for this course. Prerequisite(s): Completion of or concurrent registration in MSN6013.

In this course, learners analyze the diverse frameworks of research and evidence-based nursing practice. Learners differentiate between various types of research strategies, examine ways to search for evidence effectively and efficiently, and propose an evidence-based strategy to solve a clinical problem. Learners also evaluate ethical considerations associated with conducting research.  Only learners with an RN license can register for this course.

This course prepares learners for doctoral-level coursework in the School of Nursing and Health Sciences. Throughout the course, learners analyze and evaluate how the scholar-practitioner model provides guidance for developing competencies in effective and ethical health care leadership, including professional and interprofessional collaboration, communication, inclusion, and decision making. Must be taken during the learner’s first quarter. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

Learners in this course build foundational knowledge and skills needed to shape the future of health care. Through the lens of a 21st-century health care leader, learners use critical thinking, analysis, and creative insights to examine a problem, gap, or opportunity for improvement within a health care or public health delivery system. Learners also complete a culminating project charter to further develop a coherent quality improvement plan for 21st-century health care. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

Learners in this course analyze and evaluate interrelationships within complex health care delivery systems, including organizational stakeholders; executive power structures; and population, fiscal, and policy issues. Learners apply this knowledge as well as executive leadership skills to professional practice and recommend policy changes that support system-level strategic priorities. For DNP learners only. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

In this course, learners examine underlying concepts and reasoning involved in the collection, preparation, and evaluation of qualitative and quantitative data in health care research. Learners apply appropriate analytical techniques using commonly used software and/or best practice guidelines. Learners also interpret and report the analytical results. For DNP learners only. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

In this course, learners apply the steps of the evidence-based practice process to a health care challenge, evaluate qualitative research methods and results, and interpret the results and practical significance of qualitative health care data analyses. Learners also assess their own strengths and weaknesses in relationship to writing as a doctoral professional. For DNP learners only. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

Learners in this course apply information technology and research methods used within the health care environment. In particular, learners evaluate the use of technology in health care information systems for the purposes of monitoring outcomes of care and assessing quality improvement.  For DNP learners only. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

In this course, learners evaluate global health issues and propose and evaluate culturally sensitive interventions to address global health concerns. Throughout the course, learners build the knowledge and skills necessary to lead the development and implementation of institutional, local, state, national, or international health care initiatives. For DNP learners only. Prerequisite(s): NURS8010. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

Learners in this course write as doctoral professionals, including crafting a compelling argument and creating a literature review that supports a possible intervention or process change. Learners also obtain approval for their practicum site and preceptor and complete the related paperwork. For DNP learners only. Prerequisite(s): NURS8035, completion of or concurrent registration in NURS8012. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

Learners in this course obtain university approval to begin the implementation phase of their project. At the completion of the course, learners associate project outcomes with a quality/performance improvement framework and formalize the project implementation plan. This course requires completion of practicum hours. For DNP learners only. Grading for this course is S/NS. Prerequisite(s): NURS9100. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.