» Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Post-Master's D.N.P. Program

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P). program will develop nursing leaders who will improve health care outcomes in clinical practice, nursing leadership/management and nursing education. Graduates will have the clinical, organizational, research and leadership skills to meet the changing demands of the present and future health care system. The D.N.P. is a practice-focused program analogous to professional degrees in other disciplines, including entry-level degrees (e.g., Doctor of Physical Therapy, Doctor of Dental Surgery, Doctor of Pharmacy) and advanced practice degrees (e.g., Doctor of Psychology). It differs from the PhD in its focus on practice and practice-related research.

The Simmons D.N.P. program was designed in full compliance with professional standards for the practice doctorate ("Doctoral Essentials") developed by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). The AACN recommends the D.N.P. as the appropriate entry-level credential for all advanced practice nursing roles by 2015.

The D.N.P. curriculum was designed after careful review of similar programs throughout the US. The Simmons program is unique in offering three tracks for concentration — Clinical Leadership, Educational Leadership or Management in Clinical Practice. We are able to build on existing programs in Nursing, Health Care Administration and Health Professions Education, incorporating existing graduate courses into the DNP. Flexibility and consideration of individual practice experience is built into the program. Since most post-Master's students will have considerable professional experience, individual student programs will be developed based on review of a portfolio.

Students in all three tracks will be required to practice in their area of specialty — in a clinical, educational or managerial role. Experienced nurse practitioners/educators/managers will be able to waive clinical credits/practice hours with documentation of advanced practice in the portfolio of the Advanced Standing Bridge application. Credits beyond those required for the core curriculum will vary, depending on specialty.

The program will be accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the group which currently accredits the Simmons B.S.N. and M.S. programs. An accreditation site-visit by CCNE is scheduled for November 2010.

Program Objectives:

On completion of the D.N.P. program, the graduate will:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the philosophical and scientific underpinnings of advanced nursing practice in clinical practice, education and management.
2. Utilize technology and informatics to improve health care, to implement change in health care systems and to advance nursing education.
3. Provide culturally-sensitive health care to diverse patient populations.
4. Collaborate with interdisciplinary health care professionals to improve patient and population health care outcomes.
5. Demonstrate leadership in management, organizational and fiscal activities related to health care practice.
6. Participate in health policy development, implementation and evaluation.
7. Contribute to the advancement of current health care knowledge through practice-based research.
8. Develop curricula for nursing education.
9. Demonstrate skill in teaching methods for both nursing and consumer health education.

Program Tracks:

The D.N.P. program will offer three speciality (minor) tracks: Clinical Leadership, Education Leadership, Management in Clinical Practice. Each track will have three foci: DNP core courses (health policy, leadership, and technology (20 credits); a concentration-related practice component (variable number of credits depending on track); and a practice-based capstone project (7 credits). Students accepted to the Advanced Standing Bridge Program (portfolio with application) will enroll in the DNP core courses (20 credits) and Capstone Project (7 credits).

Clinical Leadership Track.

This concentration will prepare doctoral-level clinicians for expert practice and leadership in clinical settings. Credits for this track will vary, depending on prior work experience after earning a Master's degree.

 1.) Post-Master's (DNP Advanced Standing Bridge applicants)for experienced clinicians — either NP or Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) who present evidence of expert practice through a portfolio:

    Students will take the D.N.P. core curriculum (20 credits) and complete the capstone project (7 credits). Credits for clinical specialization will
    be waived after acceptance and review of a clinical portfolio demonstrating experience (at least 2 years full-time experience beyond the
    M.S.) and excellence in advanced practice.

2.)Post-Master's for nurses a) who do not have an NP, b) NP's or CNS's who desire a new specialty (clinical, management or education) or c) new NP or CNS graduates who do not have clinical experience (2 years full-time experience beyond the M.S.):

    Students will take the D.N.P core curriculum (20 credits) and complete a capstone project (7 credits). The curriculum will also include 
    courses in a specialty (Oncology, FNP, Occupational Health, Clinical Genetics), as well as a clinical practicum (500 hours).
    The total number of credits will vary, depending on specialty.

Educational Leadership Track

Minoring in this concentration will prepare students to teach Nursing on the undergraduate or graduate level or to be leaders in education in clinical settings. In addition to the DNP core (20 credits) and Capstone Project (7 credits), students will take a total of 14 credits from courses currently delivered in the Health Professions Education CAGS (HPED 501, 503, 505, 507,508) as well as an education practicum (HPED 510) (500 hours). Credits for experienced educators may be waived on demonstration of expert teaching through submission of a portfolio.

Management Track

Minoring in this concentration, jointly offered by Nursing and Health Care Administration programs, will prepare doctoral level nurses to assume leadership positions in health care organizations. Students will enroll in the D.N.P. core curriculum, as well as in the courses required for the specialty in Management. Students will complete a practicum in a management setting (500 hours), as well as complete a capstone project related to nursing/health care management. Experienced managers may waive the requirement for the practicum after submitting a portfolio demonstrating experience and excellence in managerial practice.

Summary of Credits for the D.N.P.:

    Clinical Leadership Track:

• Experienced clinicians with portfolio (Advanced Standing Bridge applicant):
  • 20 credits (D.N.P. core)
  • Capstone project: 7 credits
  • Total: 27 credits
• New M.S. grads or advanced practice nurses desiring a new specialty:
  • D.N.P. core: 20 credits 
  • Capstone project: 7 credits
  • Clinical concentration: 15-26 credits
  • FNP for practicing ANPs: 15
  • FNP for practicing PNP's: 15
  • Oncology: 19
  • Occupational Health: 16
  • Clinical Genetics: 24
  • ANP/PNP for MS 26
    
  • Total: 42-53 credits

  Educational Leadership Track: 41 credits:

  • D.N.P.core: 20 credits
  • Capstone Project: 7 credits
  • Education courses and practicum: 14 credits
  • Total: 41 credits

         Management TracK:

• D.N.P. core: 20 credits
• Capstone project: 7 credits
• Major in either Finance and Analytical Thinking or Organizational Leadership: 15-18 credits (Including 3-credit practicum)
  
• Total: 42-45

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