I’m very interested in the DNP degree but I would like more information. Where is a good place to start?
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing has information conveniently posted on its web site http://www.aacn.nche.edu/DNP/index.htm
This is an excellent resource for detailed information about the DNP. Another good approach is to look at the web sites of the relevant advanced practice registered nursing (APRN) national nursing organization.
I completed my MSN a number of years ago, before the “3 Ps” (Pharmacology, Pathophysiology, and Physical Assessment) were mandated and/or before 500 clinical hours within the program of study were required. I’m interested in the DNP as an advanced practice registered nurse but am not certified and do not meet certification examination eligibility criteria. How should I proceed?
This is a particularly challenging problem for Clinical Nurse Specialists. Over the past few years, efforts have been made to standardize graduate education requirements for APRN preparation and certification eligibility examinations. These efforts are in response to inconsistencies in graduate education preparation and changes in certification and regulatory requirements. Some MSN-prepared nurses will need to respond to these changes as their programs of study were from a time when these standards were not required or were different.
For example, the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Certification initially set a December 31, 2005 deadline for meeting the requirement of 500 clinical hours as an eligibility criterion for APRN examination certification and then extended this deadline date by one year to accommodate applicants. The American Association of Critical Care Nurses similarly changed the clinical hour eligibility requirement for the Critical Care Nurse Specialist (CCNS) certification examination beginning July 2006 to a minimum of 500 hours. This means that if you graduated from a CNS program with less then 500 hours of faculty-supervised clinical hours and did not elect to take your certification examination before these deadlines, you are now required to complete a total of 500 hours of supervised clinical experiences within your APRN role for graduate credits to meet CNS certification exam eligibility. You also must have the 3 Ps in combination with these clinical hours. Beginning in 2013, you will need to have completed an MSN within a specific APRN role AND population. This requirement will add to the credentialing challenge (http://www.nursecredentialing.org/Certification/APRNCorner.aspx).
The best way to proceed is to meet with the DNP Program Director to review your academic records and to develop an individualized plan of study. Prepare for this meeting by securing copies of your official and unofficial transcripts. It will save you time to simultaneously arrange for both types of transcripts. In general, you will need to complete the 3 Ps and will need to satisfy the clinical practice and theory didactic essential to the appropriate APRN role, and by 2013, population. The DNP Program Director will assist you in developing a reasonable academic plan.
I completed an APRN program but have not taken a certification examination. Is the APRN certification necessary for admission into the program?
Certification as a CNS, nurse practitioner (NP), nurse anesthetist (NA), nurse midwife, or advanced nurse administrator is necessary before enrolling in residency courses; specifically, NUR 705: Patient Safety and Health Care Outcomes; NUR 750: Translating Evidence into Practice; and, NUR 751: Clinical Leadership and Interprofessional Collaboration. The DNP Program Director can assist you in developing a strategy for meeting certification eligibility criteria. Keep in mind that depending on your planned work/practice trajectory, attending to certification requirements may be important regardless of your planned DNP program enrollment given the nationally endorsed Consensus Model for APRN Regulation: Licensure, Accreditation, Certification & Education (https://www.ncsbn.org/aprn.htm).
If I do not have criminal record clearance, can I begin the program?
Criminal record clearances, state and federal, as well as Child Abuse clearance are required before enrolling in courses with clinical hours. Clinical agencies will not permit access to students that are not in possession of full clearance. Should you have specific questions about your particular situation, please contact the State Board of Nursing and/or seek legal counsel.
How long will it take for me to complete the DNP program?
In general, students will complete the program in 2.5 years of academic study with summer courses, depending on the number of completed precepted clinical hours from the MSN program of study. The program duration is highly variable once students begin the Clinical Capstone project as the rate of work completion is dependent on the individual as well as the scope of the selected project.
I prefer to enroll in one class each semester. Is this an option?
In general, students will complete the program in 2.5 years of academic study with summer courses, depending on the number of completed precepted clinical hours from the MSN program of study. The program duration is highly variable once students begin the Clinical Capstone project as the rate of work completion is dependent on the individual as well as the scope of the selected project.
I need to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). I am concerned about this examination. Are there any tried and true strategies for success? How flexible is the admissions committee with these scores?
The best approach includes a GRE review course. Generally, mathematics deficiencies are the easiest to correct with practice and review. Please refer to the GRE information noted on the DNP web site for review course specifics and occasional special offers through La Salle University. http://www.lasalle.edu/admiss/grad/gre.php
There is some flexibility in the GRE score requirements. The Admissions Committee will carefully consider individual scores within the context of the overall score package. Graduate academic performance is also important. Applicants need to consider that the DNP course work is doctoral level work. The GRE requirements are in place to ensure that students enter the program with the requisite skills necessary for success.
Who should I ask to serve as a reference? I have not been in school for many years.
An academic reference may not be useful for the applicant that has not participated in graduate education for over five years. In this case, solicit references from colleagues that are in a position to critique your professional work, clinical practice, communication skill set, and/or critical thinking abilities. If possible, ask this individual to comment on aspects of your work that are scholarly in nature.
References are not limited to nurse colleagues but at least one should be from a practice colleague, advanced practice nurse or physician.
My technology skills are not current and I’m worried about this. Are technology supports available?
Following acceptance into the program, you will receive a technology/informatics skills checklist for use as a self-evaluation tool. This tool is used to determine the type of support that you require before entering the program. You will meet with the DNP Program Director or representative to review this needs assessment and to develop an action plan. Accepted students will be required to document that the requisite skills have been acquired before beginning the course work of the first fall semester. Opportunities for building your informatics/technologies skill set include but are not limited to:
- Self-directed study including web-based learning modules, continuing education, for-profit education programs.
- Nursing Informatics course (3 credits)
How is the class schedule structured? I am concerned about how much time I will need away from work and/or family.
The program is designed to accommodate the scheduling needs of busy, professional students. Each class will meet on a Saturday or on a Friday approximately every 3rd week, following an initial introduction day. Some courses will be scheduled in compressed forms during summer semesters. Courses will be scheduled on Main Campus and, occasionally, at the Bucks County Center.
In general, students should plan on five to six hour class days meeting approximately 5 times per semester, depending on activities. Some courses are entirely web-based; however, this is the exception. Residency courses have practicum requirements. Five practicum hours are the equivalent of one classroom hour. For example, a residency course requiring 60 hours of clinical will have 30 to 33 hours of didactic teaching. Courses without practicum hours will deliver approximately 15 hours of didactic teaching per credit.
Do I need computer and web access?
Students must have access to computers with current technologies, including up-to-date office suites and web-based applications that meet the technology requirements of La Salle University’s web-based learning platforms. Each course has a web component. Specific information is available through Information Technologies. Computer purchase plans with technology supports are available through the university for interested students.
I’m interested in a teaching. Is this degree designed for APRNs interested in teaching?
The Doctor of Nursing Practice degree is a practice degree. The degree will be highly valued in clinical practice, including roles that include the clinical instruction of undergraduate and graduate students. It is not designed as a research degree although the curriculum emphasizes evidence-based practice, research utilization, and research participation. Most tenured faculty positions require research-related terminal degrees and the DNP may not be considered an appropriate degree for this particular type of position. Some universities and colleges have clinical tracks for non-research degreed faculty members with highly-valued clinical expertise. Other higher education settings may be willing to consider DNP prepared APRNs, particularly if they have evidence of formalized teaching expertise. These opportunities are variable and require individual searching and interviewing. This topic is discussed in the FAQs of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing at http://www.aacn.nche.edu/DNP/DNPFAQ.htm
Applicants interested in a particular opportunity are advised to fully explore the eligibility criteria established by the institution of interest. The Graduate Nursing Program of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences does offer a certificate in Nursing Education that may be a valuable supplement to the DNP degree.
My MSN is in Nursing Administration. Do I meet the eligibility criteria?
The MSN in Nursing Administration is an eligible degree for program admission. It is not an advanced practice nursing degree but is an advanced nursing practice role with the capacity to significantly influence care delivery, outcomes, and practice environments. Applicants with administrative backgrounds need to verify progressive management experience in a clinically-related practice setting and earn Nursing Administration, Advanced (NEA-BC) certification prior to enrolling in residency courses.
I have a Master of Health Administration degree? Is this considered an equivalent to the Master of Business Administration degree?
Yes. The MHA is equivalent to the MBA. The expectation of NEA-BC certification is consistent for all applicants with an MBA degree equivalent. Contact the DNP Program Director for individual questions. Please refer to the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) website for NEA-BC certification examination eligibility requirements (http://www.nursecredentialing.org/Certification/NurseSpecialties/NurseExecutiveAdvanced.aspx).
What is the “Research and Evidence-based Practice” bridge and who is required to complete these courses?
Applicants who are academically prepared with a BSN degree and a non-nursing graduate degree practicing in a nursing administration role have the opportunity to apply to the DNP program. These particular applicants will not have had formal course work in nursing science, including research, theory, and evidence-based practice. It is likely that these professionals will have had graduate course work in health-care economics or other related subjects. These applicants will be required to complete two graduate nursing courses identified as “bridge” courses for a total of six credits. It is likely that these courses will be accepted in lieu of two DNP established courses, depending on the individual applicant’s transcripts and learning needs.
How is La Salle University’s DNP program unique?
La Salle University’s School of Nursing and Health Sciences faculty has a resolute commitment to developing students’ minds, hearts, and spirits. Faculty emphasize faith, service, and community while working with doctoral students to develop and enhance the skill set necessary to meet the needs of underserved, vulnerable populations through advanced practice nursing independent of and in collaboration with other health care professionals.
Patricia M. Dillon
Director
Doctor of Nursing Practice Program
La Salle University
1900 West Olney Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19141 USA
Phone: 215.951.1322
Fax: 215.951.1896
E-mail: msnapn@lasalle.edu
La Salle University reserves the right to alter or change this information
at any time, without notice.