Nursing Practice in Executive Leadership, DNP

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Edgewood College’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Executive Leadership is a 30-credit post-master’s program. The DNP degree emphasizes the highest level of education in order to prepare experts in specialized advanced nursing roles. The DNP offered by Edgewood College is in indirect care (Executive Leadership). Graduates of this program bring the best practices to managing health services, having competence in care systems management, providing evidence-based care, and applying translational research in care settings. A rounded curriculum will include: preparation in epidemiology, biostatistics, healthcare finance, informatics, and quality management; a DNP capstone project; and a customized practicum experience (500-1000 hours based on previous practicum experience in a master’s program).

Policies for Admission

Candidates seeking admission to the School of Nursing DNP in Executive Leadership Program must fulfill the graduate program admission requirements, with the following additional stipulations:

• Graduated with a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from an accredited baccalaureate nursing program and a 3.3 on a 4.0 scale from an accredited master’s degree program. BSN-prepared candidates with a master’s degree in a discipline other than nursing may also be considered for admission. If a candidate’s master’s degree is not an MSN, their program of study will be evaluated for coursework that prepares them for DNP study. Non-MSN candidates may be asked to submit a portfolio of professional practice that highlights their knowledge, skills, and application of the MSN Essentials (i.e., research, health care policy, ethics, role development, foundations of nursing, human diversity and social issues, and health promotion). These students are often required to enroll in additional coursework prior to beginning the DNP program.
• Completed a graduate statistics course within three years of the program’s start date.
• Hold a current registered nursing license.
• Practiced for a minimum of one year as a Registered Nurse in the United States (preferred).

Prior to beginning the DNP program’s residency requirements, students will be required to complete a health form, criminal background check, and provide proof of a current RN license from the state/country in which they plan to complete their residency.

Transcripts of students whose master’s degrees are from a nursing master’s program other than that at Edgewood College are evaluated on a case-by-case basis to assure attainment of prerequisite knowledge and leadership experience.

Additional coursework beyond the 30-credit requirement may be necessary to meet all of the Essentials of doctoral education for advanced practice in leadership.

Those who have earned an MS in Nursing from Edgewood College within the past 3 years and received at least a 3.3 GPA are guaranteed admission into the DNP program upon application. If a candidate has not met the minimum 3.3 GPA requirement, he/she must apply and meet for an interview to be considered for admittance.

Goals for the DNP Degree

At the end of the program, graduates will:

• Integrate scientific findings from nursing, biopsychosocial fields, genomics and genetics, public health, quality improvement, and organizational sciences for the continual improvement of nursing and health care across diverse settings.
• Conceptualize new care delivery models based on contemporary nursing science, organizational and systems leadership that are feasible within current organizational, political, cultural, and economic perspectives.
• Translate new science, its application and evaluation; as well as generate evidence through their practice to guide practice improvements.
• Use information systems/technology to support and improve patient care and healthcare systems.
• Analyze the policy process and engage in politically competent action at the institutional, local, state, regional, federal, and international levels through the interface between practice, research, and policy.
• Establish, participate and assume leadership in interprofessional teams to accomplish safe, timely, effective, efficient, equitable, and patient-centered care in complex environments.
• Analyze epidemiological, biostatistical, occupational, and environmental data in the development, implementation, and evaluation of clinical (disease and illness) prevention and population health.
• Demonstrate assessment and base practice on the application of biophysical, psychosocial, behavioral, sociopolitical, cultural, economic, and nursing science as appropriate in their area of specialization (leadership).
• Attain skills in human resource management, strategic planning, accounting principles, healthcare finance, healthcare economics, and other facets of leading operations within organizational mission, vision and regulatory requirements.

In addition to the aforementioned goals, all DNP Graduates may be prepared to sit for national specialty certifications in several options below. Additional individual review and study will be necessary for successful completion of any of these exams:

• Nurse Executive (NE-BC), or Nurse Executive, Advanced (NEA-BC) as determined by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
• Informatics certification
• Certified Nurse Manager & Leader (CNML), or Certified Executive Nursing Practice (CENP) as determined by the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE)