Master’s to D.N.P. Completion, D.N.P.

The master’s to D.N.P. program at TU provides advanced practice nurses (CRNAs, Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialists, and Certified Nurse Midwives) with the opportunity to advance their education and knowledge in translational research, while advancing evidence-based practice in their clinical setting. The program is supported by local faculty that are focused on students’ success and the community.

The master’s to D.N.P. completion track builds on previous academic work and clinical experience. Students will complete core D.N.P. research, theory courses, and D.N.P. project building courses. Students will complete 500 clinical practice hours in the implementation and completion of the D.N.P. project. This requirement adheres to the consensus model of The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing (AACN, 2021).

Learning Outcomes

1. Develop new practice approaches based on nursing theory and theories borrowed from other disciplines to improve health and reduce health disparities locally, nationally, and globally.
2. Employ strategic leadership skills and inter-professional collaboration to influence health policy, advocate for social justice, and promote equity locally, nationally, and globally.
3. Implement ethical, cost effective, and evidence-based changes in care systems, while advancing the profession.
4. Provide leadership at the highest levels to design, direct and evaluate system changes to deliver and promote patient-centered care that is culturally competent, safe, timely, effective, efficient, and equitable.
5. Engage in complex, evidence-based advanced nursing practice, and evaluate innovative approaches to care delivery for individuals, communities, and populations.

Nurse Practitioner Competencies

In addition to instruction to meet the Learning Outcomes, graduates of the AG-ACNP program option are provided sufficient didactic and clinical instruction to meet the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP Competencies (NONPF, 2016). The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP Competencies include population focused competencies in Scientific Foundation, Leadership, Quality, Practice Inquiry, Technology & Information Literacy, Policy, Health Delivery Systems, Ethics, and Independent Practice.

The course load each semester is 7-12 credit hours. Subject to university policy, students are considered full-time students throughout the program.

Admission

Requirements for admission to the master’s to D.N.P. program may be found on the School of Nursing  page in this Bulletin. Requirements for admission to the Graduate School, including language proficiency, may be found in the Admission  section of this Bulletin.