Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.)

The doctor of nursing practice (D.N.P.) degree prepares students to be family nurse practitioners (F.N.P.) at the doctoral level. The F.N.P. is a healthcare professional who is prepared to work independently and collaboratively with other healthcare professionals, to diagnose and manage acute and chronic health conditions, and promote health and wellness to families and individuals of all ages. This practice doctoral program prepares nurses to provide health services at the highest level of clinical nursing practice. Registered nurses who currently are nurse practitioners retain their specialty and earn the D.N.P. degree.

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, 2016), the Nurse Practitioner Core Competencies (NONPF, 2017), 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.

Students will complete a D.N.P. scholarly project related to advanced nursing practice. NRS 675 Directed D.N.P. Clinical is designed for students to demonstrate synthesis of knowledge and use evidence to improve practice or patient outcomes.

D.N.P. Program Outcomes

The D.N.P. program prepares competent, entry-level family nurse practitioners and experienced nurse practitioners who:

1. 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;
2. Demonstrate leadership in macro and micro healthcare system change and personal practice improvement; and
3. Proactively strive for social justice, actively address health disparities and function as culturally competent practitioners who relate effectively with diverse and under-served individuals, families, and populations.

Admission Requirements

Non-Nurse Practitioner Admission Requirements:

1. D.N.P. writing sample.
2. Current resume.
3. Three letters of recommendation: all completed recommendation forms and letters should either be emailed as a signed attachment to [e-mail] or sent via mail to ATTN: Graduate School, 5000 N. Willamette Blvd., Portland, Oregon 97203, directly by the reference.
4. Official transcripts (from all previously attended academic institutions) must be submitted directly from the institution or in a sealed envelope given to the applicant directly from the academic institution.
5. A bachelor's degree in nursing or a master's degree in nursing from an accredited college or university recognized by the University of Portland.
6. A bachelor's degree in nursing from a school of nursing accredited by an appropriate national nursing accrediting body.
7. Current unencumbered registered R.N. license to practice nursing in state of residence. R.N. licensure in Oregon is recommended. Additional costs may be incurred for clinical placements outside of Oregon.
8. Official GRE test scores: GRE score: GRE verbal of 150 or above and analytical writing score of 3.5 or above. Waiver Requirements: cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above in a bachelor's degree in nursing or master's degree from an accredited university or college recognized by the University of Portland.
9. Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) in the most recently completed nursing program.
10. Preference given to Oregon and Washington applicants with at least 2 years experience as an R.N.
11. An admission interview upon request of the School of Nursing.

Nurse Practitioner Admission Requirements:

1. D.N.P. writing sample.
2. Current resume.
3. Three letters of recommendation: all completed recommendation forms and letters should either be emailed as a signed attachment to [e-mail] or sent via mail to ATTN: Graduate School, 5000 N. Willamette Blvd., Portland, Oregon 97203, directly by the reference.
4. Official transcripts (from all previously attended academic institutions) must be submitted directly from the institution or in a sealed envelope given to the applicant directly from the academic institution.
5. A master’s degree from a school of nursing accredited by an appropriate national nursing accrediting body.
6. Current unencumbered R.N. license to practice nursing in state of residence.
7. Current nurse practitioner license in state of practice and currently employed as a nurse practitioner in a clinical setting.
8. Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) in the most recently completed nursing program.
9. An admission interview upon request of the School of Nursing.

Doctor of Nursing Practice - Program of Study for Master's Prepared Nurse Practitioners

NRS 601	Professional Role Development for Advanced Practice Nursing	3
NRS 602	Leadership in a Complex Healthcare Environment	3
NRS 604	Nursing Science and Ethics for Advanced Practice	3
NRS 605/NRS 505	Analytical Methods for Practice Improvement	3
NRS 606	Quality Improvement Processes for Practice Improvement	3
NRS 609	Botanicals in Primary Care	1
NRS 614/NRS 514	Health Organization Systems & Resource Management	3
NRS 649	Policy and Politics for the Nurse Leader	2
NRS 650	Informatics in a Complex Healthcare Environment	2
NRS 651	Epidemiology and Clinical Prevention in Population Health	3
NRS 652	Translation Science	2
NRS 660	DNP Scholarly Project I	1
NRS 661	DNP Scholarly Project II	1
NRS 662	DNP Scholarly Project III	1
NRS 676	Integrative Health: Adult Health Promotion and Acute Health Problems	3
NRS 685	Directed DNP Clinical for Post Master's NP Students I	3
NRS 686	Directed DNP Clinical for Post-Master's NP Students II	3
Total Credit Hours:		40

For applicants who have a master’s degree in nursing and are nurse practitioners, upon approval of the D.N.P. program director, a maximum of 9 semester hours may be accepted in transfer for graduate courses completed at a nationally accredited institution with a grade of B or better and within five years of acceptance to the program.

• Program of study includes 360 clinical hours.
• Courses are offered via hybrid method: greater than 50% face to face.
• Because nursing is a dynamic field, the nursing curriculum is subject to change at the School of Nursing’s discretion.

Doctor of Nursing Practice - Family Nurse Practitioner Program of Study for Bachelor of Science in Nursing Prepared Nurses

NRS 601	Professional Role Development for Advanced Practice Nursing	3
NRS 602	Leadership in a Complex Healthcare Environment	3
NRS 604	Nursing Science and Ethics for Advanced Practice	3
NRS 605/NRS 505	Analytical Methods for Practice Improvement	3
NRS 606	Quality Improvement Processes for Practice Improvement	3
NRS 607	Advanced Pathophysiology and Genetics	4
NRS 608	Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics	3
NRS 609	Botanicals in Primary Care	1
NRS 610	Advanced Health Assessment for Family Nurse Practitioners	4
NRS 614/NRS 514	Health Organization Systems & Resource Management	3
NRS 630	FNP Clinical I	3
NRS 631	FNP Clinical II	2
NRS 633	FNP Clinical III	2
NRS 634	FNP Clinical IV	3
NRS 649	Policy and Politics for the Nurse Leader	2
NRS 650	Informatics in a Complex Healthcare Environment	2
NRS 651	Epidemiology and Clinical Prevention in Population Health	3
NRS 652	Translation Science	2
NRS 660	DNP Scholarly Project I	1
NRS 661	DNP Scholarly Project II	1
NRS 662	DNP Scholarly Project III	1
NRS 670	Management of Adults with Acute Conditions	3
NRS 671	Management of Common Gender Specific Health Issues	3
NRS 672	Management of Common Mental Health Conditions in Primary Care	2
NRS 673	Management of Pediatric Patients in Primary Care	4
NRS 674	Management of Adults and Older Adults with Chronic Conditions	3
NRS 675	Directed DNP Clinical	6
NRS 676	Integrative Health: Adult Health Promotion and Acute Health Problems	3
Total Credit Hours:		76

For applicants who have a master’s degree in nursing and are not nurse practitioners:  upon approval of the D.N.P. program director, a maximum of 9 semester hours may be accepted in transfer for graduate courses completed at a nationally accredited institution with a grade of B or better and within five years of acceptance to the program.

• Program of study includes 1000 clinical hours.
• Courses are offered via hybrid method: greater than 50% face to face.
• Because nursing is a dynamic field, the nursing curriculum is subject to change at the School of Nursing’s discretion.