Mar 29, 2024  
2022-2023 Academic Bulletin 
    
2022-2023 Academic Bulletin [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse DNP (Distance Education)


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The DNP program is designed for nurses seeking a terminal degree in nursing practice, either through the family nurse practitioner concentration, or post-APRN DNP completion. DNP-prepared nurses practice within a defined clinical specialty and the DNP core offers breadth and depth for practitioners to improve patient outcomes in an increasingly complex health system. APRNs must obtain certfication to practice post-graduation through national certification exams and compliance with their individual state board of nursing regulations. 

This DNP program offers three tracks:

  1. Track 1: APRN to DNP (NE Focus) (40 credits)
  2. Track 2: BSN to DNP with Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration (65 credits)
  3. Track 3: MSN to DNP, Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration (56 credits)

For additional information about these tracks, refer to the curriculum below.

Delivery: This is a fully interactive online program only (see School of Distance Education  definitions). The courses follow fixed enrollment with semester start and end dates. Participants interact with each other and with instructors throughout all courses. Most courses have a minimum of two synchronous sessions via Zoom. Most of the degree is offered through asynchonrous online methods, but students should refer to the DNP Student Handbook for any expected on-campus or synchronous meeting time.

Accreditation: The Andrews University nursing program is approved by the Michigan Board of Nursing and holds accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

Total Credits - 40-65


Tracks - 14-39


Selected at the time of admission based on a student’s educational background.

Track 1 - APRN to DNP (NE Focus) - 14


Track 1 offers nurses who already have advanced practice certification the opportunity to complete a terminal degree in nursing practice with a focus in Nursing Education (NE).

Track 2 - BSN to DNP - 39


Track 2 students must take the following courses and complete the Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration outlined below.

Track 3 - MSN to DNP - 30


Track 3 students must complete the Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration outlined below.

Additional Requirements


Grade Point Average: In order to graduate, students must have a Grade Point Average (GPA) not lower than 3.25. During the program, students are allowed to receive a B- in one course only, but the GPA must be at least 3.0 when this occurs. Two courses below 3.0 will cause termination of the degree process.

Graduation Requirements


  • Successful completion of all Required Courses with 3.25 GPA.
  • Successful completion of Comprehensive Exam.
  • Satisfactory completion and defense of the Scholarly Project.
  • Satisfactory completion of supervised Clinical/Practicums.
  • Satisfactory completion of  a Diagnostic Readiness Test for national certificaiton exam.

Progress Towards Degree: Cohorts with differing degree options have anticipated completion at differing times within three to five years. Any student dropping out of a cohort may resume with a subsequent cohort but must complete the degree in no more than seven years.

Admission Requirements


  • Must meet standard admission requirements for graduate admission at Andrews University.
  • Other requirements below:
Requirements Standard
Minimum overall GPA 3.25
Letters of recommendation

Two:

  • Professional colleague with at least Master’s degree
  • Current supervisor
Resume CV also acceptable

Goal Statement (500 words)

Use these points to develop your goal statement:

  • Identify your area of concentration (family nurse practitioner or other APRN role)
  • Describe how the DNP degree within your chosen clinical speciatly will assist in achieving your future goals.

Degrees

-Family Nurse Practitioner concentration

-APRN to DNP

 

BSN or MSN from an accredited school (ACEN or CCNE and other acceptable accrediting bodies)

MSN with specialty certification in one of the four APRN roles (NP, CNS, CNM, or CRNA)

Undergraduate/Graduate courses required with a grade of B or better
  • Statistics
  •  APRN to DNP students: must have graduate level pharmacology, health assessment, and pathophysiology or will be required to complete these as part of their DNP degree. 
License

 

  • Current unencumbered RN license.
  • APRN to DNP:  national certification in a clinical speciatly with evidence of practicum hours completed in APRN education.
  • Faculty reserve the right to require an interview of applicants based on reasons they identify.

Student Learning Outcomes


Students who successfully complete the program will:

  • Integrate knowledge from nursing, biophysical, social, analytical and organizational sciences into practicing, developing and transforming advanced practice nursing within a spiritual context.
  • Integrate organizational and system thinking as well as leadership knowledge in designing, implementing and/or evaluating approaches to quality in care delivery.
  • Use clinical scholarship and analytical methods to critically appraise the literature, and develop, implement and evaluate strategies and best practices in providing healthcare.
  • Develop leadership in critical analysis, information management, advocacy and education, in shaping healthcare policy at the local, state and national levels.
  • Employ consultative, collaborative and leadership skills with intra-professional and inter-professional teams to foster effective communication, enhance health outcomes, and create positive change in complex healthcare delivery systems, and across diverse populations in order to address health disparities.
  • Implement eviidenced-based strategies in APRN practice for impacting individuals, families, communities, institutions and/or systems, in order to achieve the goals of improved healthcare.
  • Transition from entry levels of nursing practice to an increasingly advanced level of nursing practice, while developing higher level clinical, leadership, advocacy, and scholarship, knowledge and skills.

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