Nursing Practice, D.N.P.
Post Masters D.N.P.: Christine Argenbright
Email: argenbca@jmu.edu
Post B.S.N.-D.N.P. APRN: Holly Buchanan
Email: buchanha@jmu.edu
Post B.S.N.-D.N.P. Healthcare Systems Leadership: Christine Argenbright
Email: argenbca@jmu.edu
Program Description
The D.N.P. program prepares students to lead healthcare innovation at the highest organizational level and influence policy while allowing students to focus on a particular specialty area. The D.N.P. prepared nurse impacts the practice of nursing, the healthcare delivery system and the shaping of health policy by providing the environment, resources and knowledge needed to provide high-quality patient and family-centered nursing care and to practice as a professional within an interprofessional team.
Applicants who have a Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) should apply to the Post-Master's D.N.P. program which requires 40 to 46 credit hours, including 1,000 course-related practice hours.
Applicants who have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.), should apply to the Advanced Practice Post-Bachelor's D.N.P. program which requires 77 credit hours, including 1000 course-related practice hours, or the Healthcare Systems Leadership Post-Bachelor's D.N.P. which requires 69 credit hours, including 1000 course-related hours. Within the Advanced Practice Post-B.S.N.-D.N.P. students will select an advanced practice concentration in either Family Nurse Practitioner or Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner which will prepare them to be eligible for the certification exam in their chosen concentration. Students in the Healthcare Systems Leadership concentration will be prepared to lead innovation at the highest organization level and influence policy. The Post-B.S.N.-D.N.P. plan of study in the Advanced Practice or the Healthcare Systems Leadership concentrations does not award an M.S.N. Students who complete this program will receive a D.N.P. degree.
This program is designed to be completed in 2 years (Post-M.S.N.) or 3 years (Post-B.S.N). Summer courses are required.
Admission Post-Masters to D.N.P.
To be considered for admission to the D.N.P. program, prospective students must:
- Complete the online application for The Graduate School and for NURSINGCAS.
- Applicant must hold a master's degree in nursing from a nationally accredited institution with a minimum 3.2 undergraduate studies GPA.
- Submit an official transcript from each institution attended.
- Hold an unencumbered Registered Nurse license
- Statement of professional goals.
- Letters of recommendation from at least two persons
- Meet the school's technical standards for admission.
- Provide a current resume or curriculum vitae.
- Complete an interview upon request.
- Complete health documentation and CPR certification.
For international applicants, also provide:
- Passing grade on CGFNS exam (both parts)
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT total score of 80 or above (or) International English Language Testing System (IELTS) overall band score of 6.5 or above (or) Duolingo total score of 105 or above.
Application Deadline for Post-Masters to D.N.P.
Application deadlines for the post-Masters to D.N.P are due November 1 for spring admission and March 15 for fall admission.
Admission Post-Bachelors to D.N.P.
To be considered for admission to the D.N.P. program, prospective students must:
- Hold a bachelor's degree in nursing from a nationally accredited institution with a minimum 3.2 undergraduate studies GPA.
- Submit an official transcript from each post-secondary institution attended.
- Hold an unencumbered Registered Nurse license.
- Complete health documentation and CPR certification.
- Submission of letters of recommendation from at least two persons
- Statement of professional goals and its relationship to both the mission of the School of Nursing and the area of scholarly inquiry focus.
- Interview may be required.
International applicants must also provide:
- Passing grade on CGFNS exam (both parts)
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT total score of 80 or above (or) International English Language Testing System (IELTS) overall band score of 6.5 or above (or) Duolingo total score of 105 or above.
- Complete the online application for The Graduate School and for NURSINGCAS.
- Select a concentration area for doctoral study:
- Advanced Practice Family Nurse Practitioner
- Advanced Practice Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Healthcare Systems Leadership
Application Deadline for Post-Bachelors to D.N.P.
Applications for the post-bachelor's D.N.P. are due November 1 for spring admission.
Post-M.S.N. to D.N.P. Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| NSG 650 | Organizational Behavior in Health Care | 3 |
| NSG 690 | Epidemiology and Population Assessment | 3 |
| NSG 692 | Health Policy for Practice and Advocacy | 3 |
| NSG 711 | Analytical Methods for Health Care | 3 |
| NSG 712 | Methods of Scholarly Inquiry | 3 |
| NSG 713 | Evidence Based Practice: Clinical Prevention and Population Health Promotion | 3 |
| NSG 714 | Improving Health Outcomes Through Quality Improvement and Patient Safety | 3 |
| NSG 800 | Dissemination of Nursing Scholarship | 3 |
| NSG 801 | Doctoral Project Completion, Evaluation and Dissemination | 1 |
| Cognate courses (can be taken any semester, including summer) | 6 | |
| A minimum of 9 credits of practica: | 9-15 | |
| Advanced Practicum I 1 | ||
| Advanced Practicum II 1 | ||
| Advanced Practicum III 1 | ||
| Total Credits | 40-46 | |
- 1
The D.N.P. degree requires up to 1000 course-related practice hours. Post-master's students will have completed a variable number of M.S.N. contact hours. Upon admission, an analysis of previously completed courses will be completed to determine the required practicum hours. If fewer than 9 credit hours are needed for practicum, cognate courses may replace additional practicum hours to satisfy the minimum of 40 credits. Cognate courses will be determined in consultation with the student's advisor.
Note: Up to nine credits may be transferred in; minimum of 40 credits must still be earned.
Post-B.S.N. to D.N.P. APRN Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| NSG 520 | Advanced Health Assessment | 3 |
| NSG 521 | Advanced Concepts in Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NSG 522 | Advanced Clinical Pharmacotherapeutics | 3 |
| NSG 611 | Research for the Advanced Health Professional | 3 |
| NSG 612 | Theoretical Foundations of Advanced Nursing | 3 |
| NSG 630 | Care Delivery and Coordination I | 3 |
| NSG 631 | Care Delivery and Coordination II | 3 |
| NSG 632 | Coordinated Care of the Elderly | 3 |
| NSG 634 | Advanced Nursing Role Development | 1 |
| NSG 636 | Care Delivery and Coordination: Female Reproductive Health | 2 |
| NSG 650 | Organizational Behavior in Health Care | 3 |
| NSG 671 | NP Practicum I | 3 |
| NSG 672 | NP Practicum II (Must be taken for five credit hours.) | 5 |
| NSG 673 | NP Practicum III (Must be taken for five credit hours.) | 5 |
| NSG 690 | Epidemiology and Population Assessment | 3 |
| NSG 692 | Health Policy for Practice and Advocacy | 3 |
| NSG 711 | Analytical Methods for Health Care | 3 |
| NSG 712 | Methods of Scholarly Inquiry | 3 |
| NSG 713 | Evidence Based Practice: Clinical Prevention and Population Health Promotion | 3 |
| NSG 714 | Improving Health Outcomes Through Quality Improvement and Patient Safety | 3 |
| NSG 800 | Dissemination of Nursing Scholarship | 3 |
| NSG 801 | Doctoral Project Completion, Evaluation and Dissemination | 1 |
| Concentrations | 12 | |
Family Nurse Practitioner | ||
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner | ||
| Total Credits | 77 | |
Concentrations
Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration
Students complete a total of 780 clinical practicum hours applying clinical skills, theories, and research findings to the primary care of children, adolescents, adults and older adults in a variety of health care settings.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| NSG 635 | Care Delivery and Coordination: Pediatrics | 3 |
| NSG 771 | Advanced Practicum I 1 | 1-5 |
| NSG 772 | Advanced Practicum II 1 | 1-5 |
| NSG 773 | Advanced Practicum III 1 | 1-5 |
| One NSG elective or cognate course | 3 | |
| Total | 12 | |
- 1
Must complete at least 9 credits in D.N.P. practicum courses.
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Concentration
Students complete a total of 650 clinical practicum hours in this program, where they apply clinical skills, theories, and research findings to provide primary care to individuals from adolescents to older adulthood in a variety of health care settings.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| NSG 771 | Advanced Practicum I 1 | 1-5 |
| NSG 772 | Advanced Practicum II 1 | 1-5 |
| NSG 773 | Advanced Practicum III 1 | 1-5 |
| Two NSG elective or cognate courses 2 | 6 | |
| Total | 12 | |
- 1
Must complete at least 6 credits of advanced practicum courses.
- 2
Excluding NSG 635.
Post B.S.N. D.N.P. Healthcare Systems Leadership Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| NSG 611 | Research for the Advanced Health Professional | 3 |
| NSG 612 | Theoretical Foundations of Advanced Nursing | 3 |
| NSG 650 | Organizational Behavior in Health Care | 3 |
| NSG 651 | Leadership Development | 3 |
| NSG 655 | Concepts for Nurse Administrators | 3 |
| NSG 678 | Nursing Administration Practicum I (taken for a total of four credit hours) | 4 |
| NSG 679 | Nursing Administration Practicum II (taken for a total of four credit hours) | 4 |
| NSG 683 | Healthcare Finance Management | 3 |
| NSG 685 | Immersion in DNP Scholarship and Practice | 3 |
| NSG 686 | Executive Nursing Leadership: Practice, Education and Scholarship | 3 |
| NSG 690 | Epidemiology and Population Assessment | 3 |
| NSG 692 | Health Policy for Practice and Advocacy | 3 |
| NSG 711 | Analytical Methods for Health Care | 3 |
| NSG 712 | Methods of Scholarly Inquiry | 3 |
| NSG 713 | Evidence Based Practice: Clinical Prevention and Population Health Promotion | 3 |
| NSG 714 | Improving Health Outcomes Through Quality Improvement and Patient Safety | 3 |
| NSG 771 | Advanced Practicum I | 3 |
| NSG 772 | Advanced Practicum II | 3 |
| NSG 773 | Advanced Practicum III | 3 |
| NSG 800 | Dissemination of Nursing Scholarship | 3 |
| NSG 801 | Doctoral Project Completion, Evaluation and Dissemination | 1 |
| Nursing Cognates | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 69 | |
Recommended Schedule Full Time Post-M.S.N. to D.N.P Curriculum
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spring Semester | Credits | |
| NSG 690 | Epidemiology and Population Assessment | 3 |
| NSG 692 | Health Policy for Practice and Advocacy | 3 |
| NSG 714 | Improving Health Outcomes Through Quality Improvement and Patient Safety | 3 |
| Focused Cognate | 3 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Fall Semester | ||
| NSG 711 | Analytical Methods for Health Care | 3 |
| NSG 713 | Evidence Based Practice: Clinical Prevention and Population Health Promotion | 3 |
| NSG 771 | Advanced Practicum I 1 | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Spring Semester | ||
| NSG 650 | Organizational Behavior in Health Care | 3 |
| NSG 712 | Methods of Scholarly Inquiry | 3 |
| NSG 772 | Advanced Practicum II 1 | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Fall Semester | ||
| Focused Cognate | 3 | |
| NSG 773 | Advanced Practicum III 1 | 3 |
| NSG 800 | Dissemination of Nursing Scholarship | 3 |
| NSG 801 | Doctoral Project Completion, Evaluation and Dissemination | 1 |
| Credits | 10 | |
| Total Credits | 40 | |
- 1
The D.N.P. degree requires up to 1000 course-related practice hours. Post-master's students will have completed a variable number of M.S.N. contact hours. Upon admission, an analysis of previously-completed courses will be completed to determine the required practicum hours. If fewer than 9 credit hours are needed for practicum, cognate courses may replace additional practicum hours to satisfy the minimum of 40 credits. Cognate courses will be determined in consultation with the student's advisor.
Recommended Schedule for Part Time Post-M.S.N. to D.N.P. Curriculum
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spring Semester | Credits | |
| NSG 690 | Epidemiology and Population Assessment | 3 |
| NSG 692 | Health Policy for Practice and Advocacy | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Fall Semester | ||
| NSG 711 | Analytical Methods for Health Care | 3 |
| NSG 713 | Evidence Based Practice: Clinical Prevention and Population Health Promotion | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Spring Semester | ||
| NSG 712 | Methods of Scholarly Inquiry | 3 |
| NSG 714 | Improving Health Outcomes Through Quality Improvement and Patient Safety | 3 |
| Focused Cognate | 3 | |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Fall Semester | ||
| NSG 650 | Organizational Behavior in Health Care | 3 |
| NSG 771 | Advanced Practicum I 1 | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Spring Semester | ||
| NSG 772 | Advanced Practicum II 1 | 3 |
| Focused Cognate | 3 | |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Fall Semester | ||
| NSG 773 | Advanced Practicum III 1 | 3 |
| NSG 800 | Dissemination of Nursing Scholarship | 3 |
| NSG 801 | Doctoral Project Completion, Evaluation and Dissemination | 1 |
| Credits | 7 | |
| Total Credits | 40 | |
- 1
The D.N.P. degree requires up to 1000 course-related practice hours. Post-master's students will have completed a variable number of M.S.N. contact hours. Upon admission, an analysis of previously-completed courses will be completed to determine the required practicum hours. If fewer than 9 credit hours are needed for practicum, cognate courses may replace additional practicum hours to satisfy the minimum of 40 credits. Cognate courses will be determined in consultation with the student's advisor.
Recommended Schedule Post-B.S.N. to D.N.P Curriculum
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Credits | |
| NSG 612 | Theoretical Foundations of Advanced Nursing | 3 |
| NSG 692 | Health Policy for Practice and Advocacy | 3 |
| NSG 714 | Improving Health Outcomes Through Quality Improvement and Patient Safety | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| NSG 521 | Advanced Concepts in Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NSG 611 | Research for the Advanced Health Professional | 3 |
| NSG 634 | Advanced Nursing Role Development | 1 |
| Credits | 7 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| NSG 520 | Advanced Health Assessment | 3 |
| NSG 522 | Advanced Clinical Pharmacotherapeutics | 3 |
| NSG 711 | Analytical Methods for Health Care | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Second Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| NSG 630 | Care Delivery and Coordination I | 3 |
| NSG 636 | Care Delivery and Coordination: Female Reproductive Health | 2 |
| NSG 671 | NP Practicum I | 3 |
| NSG 712 | Methods of Scholarly Inquiry | 3 |
| Credits | 11 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| NSG 635 | Care Delivery and Coordination: Pediatrics | 3 |
| NSG 690 | Epidemiology and Population Assessment | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| NSG 631 | Care Delivery and Coordination II | 3 |
| NSG 672 | NP Practicum II | 1-5 |
| NSG 713 | Evidence Based Practice: Clinical Prevention and Population Health Promotion | 3 |
| NSG 771 | Advanced Practicum I | 1-5 |
| Credits | 8-16 | |
| Third Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| NSG 632 | Coordinated Care of the Elderly | 3 |
| NSG 673 | NP Practicum III | 1-5 |
| NSG 772 | Advanced Practicum II | 1-5 |
| Credits | 5-13 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| NSG 650 | Organizational Behavior in Health Care | 3 |
| NSG 773 | Advanced Practicum III | 1 |
| Cognate course (must be approved) | 3 | |
| Credits | 7 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| NSG 773 | Advanced Practicum III | 2 |
| NSG 800 | Dissemination of Nursing Scholarship | 3 |
| NSG 801 | Doctoral Project Completion, Evaluation and Dissemination | 1 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 68-84 | |
Recommended Schedule Post B.S.N. D.N.P. Healthcare Systems Leadership Concentration
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spring Semester | Credits | |
| NSG 612 | Theoretical Foundations of Advanced Nursing | 3 |
| NSG 651 | Leadership Development | 3 |
| NSG 686 | Executive Nursing Leadership: Practice, Education and Scholarship | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Summer Semester | ||
| NSG 611 | Research for the Advanced Health Professional | 3 |
| NSG 683 | Healthcare Finance Management | 3 |
| NSG 690 | Epidemiology and Population Assessment | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Fall Semester | ||
| NSG 655 | Concepts for Nurse Administrators | 3 |
| NSG 678 | Nursing Administration Practicum I | 2-4 |
| NSG 692 | Health Policy for Practice and Advocacy | 3 |
| Credits | 8-10 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Spring Semester | ||
| NSG 650 | Organizational Behavior in Health Care | 3 |
| NSG 679 | Nursing Administration Practicum II | 2-4 |
| NSG 685 | Immersion in DNP Scholarship and Practice | 3 |
| Credits | 8-10 | |
| Summer Semester | ||
| NSG 771 | Advanced Practicum I (must be taken for one credit hour) | 1 |
| Cognate | 6 | |
| Credits | 7 | |
| Fall Semester | ||
| NSG 711 | Analytical Methods for Health Care | 3 |
| NSG 713 | Evidence Based Practice: Clinical Prevention and Population Health Promotion | 3 |
| NSG 771 | Advanced Practicum I (must be taken for two credit hours) | 2 |
| Credits | 8 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Spring Semester | ||
| NSG 712 | Methods of Scholarly Inquiry | 3 |
| NSG 714 | Improving Health Outcomes Through Quality Improvement and Patient Safety | 3 |
| NSG 772 | Advanced Practicum II (must be taken for three credit hours) | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Summer Semester | ||
| NSG 773 | Advanced Practicum III (must be taken for one credit hour) | 1 |
| Credits | 1 | |
| Fall Semester | ||
| NSG 773 | Advanced Practicum III (must be taken for two credits) | 2 |
| NSG 800 | Dissemination of Nursing Scholarship | 3 |
| NSG 801 | Doctoral Project Completion, Evaluation and Dissemination | 1 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 65-69 | |