Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.)
The School of Nursing offers an innovative doctor of nursing practice (D.N.P.) program with two tracks: (1) post-bachelor of science in nursing (B.S.N.) or post-master's non-nurse practitioner and (2) post-master's for nurses already licensed and certified as nurse practitioners. Students who enter the D.N.P. program with a B.S.N. or non-nurse practitioner master's degree become family nurse practitioners and earn the D.N.P. degree. Students who enter the D.N.P. program as master's-prepared nurse practitioners retain their nurse practitioner specialty and earn the D.N.P. degree.
The D.N.P. program prepares nurses to provide health services at the highest level of clinical nursing practice. The curriculum is designed to develop leaders able to expand their impact on the health of society by improving quality of care, patient outcomes and health policy. The program features an integrative health component, which prepares graduates as holistic practitioners who understand many different healing methodologies and practice collaboratively with those who seek care. For post-B.S.N. and post-master's non-nurse practitioner students, there is also an elective focus on caring for the poor, in which students have all their clinical experiences in sites with a majority of underserved and Medicaid patients.
The D.N.P. program incorporates professional standards and guidelines from The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice (AACN, 2006), the Criteria for Evaluation of Nurse Practitioner Programs (NTF, 2012), the Nurse Practitioner Core Competencies (NONPF, 2012), the Population-focused Family/Across the Lifespan Competencies (NONPF, 2013) and the Oregon State Board of Nursing in preparation of the curriculum and evaluation of outcomes.
All D.N.P. students complete a comprehensive examination at mid-program to demonstrate progress towards achieving the D.N.P. essentials. Students complete an independent practice improvement project related to advanced nursing practice and prepare a manuscript for publication to disseminate the results. The D.N.P. residency is designed for students to demonstrate synthesis of knowledge and use evidence to improve practice or patient outcomes.
D.N.P. Goals and Program Outcomes
The goals and outcomes of the D.N.P. program reflect the mission of the School of Nursing with the focus on the profession of nursing, leadership, high quality care for all populations, inquiry, and social justice. The goals, competencies and outcomes are in alignment with professional nursing standards and guidelines.
The goals and program outcomes of the D.N.P. program are to graduate competent, entry-level family nurse practitioners and experienced nurse practitioners who:
- Practice independently in a variety of primary care health environments, translate best evidence into practice, employ a population focus, incorporate an integrative healthcare perspective, and collaborate with multiple disciplines with the goal of providing effective, comprehensive healthcare;
- Demonstrate leadership in macro and micro healthcare system change and personal practice improvement; and
- Proactively strive for social justice, actively address health disparities and function as culturally competent practitioners who relate effectively with diverse and underserved individuals, families and populations.
D.N.P. Admission Requirements
- Bachelor of science in nursing (B.S.N.) or a master’s degree in nursing from a school of nursing accredited by an appropriate national nursing accrediting body.
- Cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher in the most recently completed nursing degree program.
- For post-B.S.N. and post-master's non-nurse practitioner applicants: Graduate Record Examination (GRE) verbal score of 150 or above (500 or above if exam was completed prior to August 1, 2011) and an analytical writing score of 3.5 or above; or a score of 50 or greater on the Miller Analogies Test (MAT). Applicants with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above are not required to submit GRE or MAT scores. Post-master’s nurse practitioner applicants are not required to submit GRE or MAT scores.
- TOEFL iBT score of 100 or a IELTS score of 7.5, if native language is not English.
- Current unencumbered R.N. license to practice nursing in state of residence. R.N. licensure in Oregon is encouraged. Additional costs may be incurred for clinical placements outside of Oregon.
- For post-master’s nurse practitioner applicants: Current nurse practitioner licensure in state of practice and currently employed as a nurse practitioner in a clinical setting.
- For post-B.S.N. and post-master's non-nurse practitioner applicants: Students admitted to the program must complete a minimum of 800 hours of work as a registered nurse by the start of the 7th semester in the program (by the start of Year 3, Summer Session).
- For post-B.S.N. and post-master's non-nurse practitioner applicants: A written essay that reflects on the F.N.P. role and the D.N.P. role. For post-master's nurse practitioner applicants: A written essay that reflects on what the D.N.P. education adds to the nurse practitioner role and future career goals.
- Three recommendations from persons able to evaluate current competency in nursing and potential for nursing practice at the most advanced level. One from a nursing professor if applicant graduated within five years and two from a practice setting (employer, supervisor); if graduated over five years ago, submit three from the current practice setting (employer, supervisor) who can speak to potential for success in the DNP-NP program.
- Graduate-level statistics course with a grade of B or better in the last five years.
-
Current résumé.
- An admission interview upon request of the School of Nursing.
Doctor of Nursing Practice - Family Nurse Practitioner Curriculum
Below are the degree requirements for students who enter the D.N.P. program with a B.S.N. or a non-nurse practitioner master's degree.
| NRS 500 | Methods of Inquiry | 3 |
| NRS 501 | Theoretical and Ethical Foundations for Advanced Roles in Nursing | 2 |
| NRS 502 | Professional Role Development for Advanced Practice Nursing | Variable. |
| NRS 503 | Scholarly Writing | 1 |
| NRS 520 | Health Assessment for Advanced Practice | 3 |
| NRS 521 | Nursing of Families for Advanced Practice | 2 |
| NRS 522 | Management of Adults with Acute and Simple Chronic Conditions | 5 |
| NRS 523 | Management of Pediatric Clients with Acute and Chronic Conditions | 4 |
| NRS 525 | Management of Conditions Common to Women | 3 |
| NRS 527 | Management of Adults and Older Adults with Complex Chronic Illnesses | 5 |
| NRS 533 | Management of Conditions Common to Men | 2 |
| NRS 537 | Management of Common Mental Health Conditions in Primary Care | 2 |
| NRS 538 | Focused Practicum on Wellness and Screening | 1 |
| NRS 543 | Social and Health Policy | 3 |
| NRS 547 | Organizational and Systems Leadership | 3 |
| NRS 548 | Translational Research | 3 |
| NRS 566 | Resources Management in the Micro Environment | 3 |
| NRS 567 | Communication and Relationships | 3 |
| NRS 568 | Information Knowledge Systems | 2 |
| NRS 569 | Human Population Ecology | 3 |
| NRS 571 | Advanced Pathophysiology I | 2 |
| NRS 572 | Advanced Pathophysiology II | 2 |
| NRS 575 | Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics | 3 |
| NRS 580 | Integrative Health: Nutritional Therapy | Variable. |
| NRS 581 | Integrative Health: Concepts of Health and Healing | 2 |
| NRS 582 | Integrative Health: Approaches to Care | 2 |
| NRS 583 | Integrative Health: Botanical Medicines | Variable. |
| NRS 584 | Integrative Health: Mind Body Connections | 2 |
| NRS 589 | Methods for Improving Practice | Variable |
| NRS 597 | Practice Improvement Project | 1 |
| NRS 598 | Residency for Post Baccalaureate FNP Students | 6 |
Total credit hours: 83. Total credit hours include 1,000 clinical hours.
NRS 597 must be taken a minimum of 2 times to meet degree requirements, but may be taken up to 4 times.
The following courses include the following clinical/lab hours: NRS 520 - 45 lab hours, NRS 522 - 180 clinical hours, NRS 523 - 120 clinical hours, NRS 525 - 60 clinical hours, NRS 527 - 180 clinical hours, NRS 537 - 60 clinical hours, NRS 538 - 40 clinical hours and NRS 598 - 360 clinical hours.
For post-master's non-nurse practitioner students, the DNP-FNP curriculum may be individualized based on a review of graduate-level transcripts and syllabi. Upon approval of the DNP Program Director, a maximum of 12 semester hours maybe be accepted in transfer for graduate courses completed at a regionally accredited institution with a grade of B or better and within 5 years of acceptance to the program.
Doctor of Nursing Practice - Post-Master's Nurse Practitioner Curriculum
| NRS 500 | Methods of Inquiry | 3 |
| NRS 501 | Theoretical and Ethical Foundations for Advanced Roles in Nursing | 2 |
| NRS 502 | Professional Role Development for Advanced Practice Nursing | Variable. |
| NRS 503 | Scholarly Writing | 1 |
| NRS 543 | Social and Health Policy | 3 |
| NRS 547 | Organizational and Systems Leadership | 3 |
| NRS 548 | Translational Research | 3 |
| NRS 566 | Resources Management in the Micro Environment | 3 |
| NRS 567 | Communication and Relationships | 3 |
| NRS 568 | Information Knowledge Systems | 2 |
| NRS 569 | Human Population Ecology | 3 |
| NRS 580 | Integrative Health: Nutritional Therapy | Variable. |
| NRS 581 | Integrative Health: Concepts of Health and Healing | 2 |
| NRS 582 | Integrative Health: Approaches to Care | 2 |
| NRS 583 | Integrative Health: Botanical Medicines | Variable. |
| NRS 584 | Integrative Health: Mind Body Connections | 2 |
| NRS 588 | Residency for Post Master's NP Students | 6 |
| NRS 589 | Methods for Improving Practice | Variable |
| NRS 597 | Practice Improvement Project | 1 |
Total credit hours: 41-50. Total credit hours include 360 residency hours in NRS 588.
NRS 597 must be taken a minimum of 2 times to meet degree requirements, but may be taken up to 4 times.
For post-master's nurse practitioner students, the DNP curriculum will be individualized based on a review of graduate-level transcripts and syllabi. Upon approval of the DNP Program Director, a maximum of 9 semester hours may be accepted in transfer for graduate courses completed at a regionally accredited institution with a grade of B or better and within 5 years of acceptance to the program.
Total Credit Hours: 83