Doctor of Nursing Practice

Learn how to:

• Advance nursing practice by applying clinical expertise and advanced knowledge from the sciences, humanities and ethics
• Advance nursing practice through application of knowledge and evaluation of nursing theories and concepts
• Plan, engage and participate in clinical scholarship for evidence practice.
• Provide and design care for vulnerable, underserved, culturally diverse clients using health promotion strategies.
• Plan, initiate and evaluate changes in health care policy and the healthcare system.
• Analyze epidemiological, statistical, environmental, and other data regarding individuals, families and the community.
• Integrate nursing science with emerging technology and information systems to identify, gather, process, manage and evaluate healthcare outcomes, the healthcare delivery system and investigate healthcare issues to improve quality.
• Develop and evaluate organizational and systems leadership for quality improvement and systems thinking.
• Demonstrate and integrate interprofessional collaboration for improving patient and population health outcomes to foster continuity of care.
• Advocate for health care and policies that promote client health and the advancement of nursing as a profession.
• Use professional standards in advanced practice nursing roles.
• Develop and evaluate new practice approaches based on nursing theories and theories from other disciplines.
• Demonstrate inter and intra professional effective communication necessary for activities that enhance the care environment to include planning, implementation and evaluation of care to target populations.

The program responds to the health personnel trends and needs of diverse communities. Courses focus on the roles and responsibilities of being a Family Nurse Practitioner, and preparing students to practice and lead family health care across a variety of health care environments.

Our program provides the space for practicing nurse professionals to learn and advance the skills needed to serve as experts in the specialized area of family practice. Graduates incorporate advanced theory and research into the competencies required to assume responsibility and accountability for the health promotion, assessment, diagnosis, and management of health for issues related to culturally diverse clients and their families.

DNP Post-Master's Pathway Admission Requirements

The DNP is an advanced degree that builds on skills and competencies learned in Bachelor’s and Master’s coursework. Admission requirements include:

• Master’s degree in Nursing from a program accredited by the Accreditation Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (ACEN) or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or an equivalent degree from a non-U.S. college or university
• Minimum 3.25 cumulative grade point average (GPA) in a Nursing Master’s degree or equivalent program
• Official transcripts from each college or university attended
• Unencumbered R.N. licensure in the State of Maryland
• National certification in your specialty area
• 3 letters of recommendation
• Resume or curriculum vitae
• Application essay detailing goals, objectives, and reason(s) for pursuing the DNP
• Writing sample
• Proof of research activity
• Interview with faculty (for students who meet all admission criteria)

DNP Mission and Philosophy

We prepare graduate-level nurses to practice at the most advanced level of nursing. Aligning with the overall goal of the Helene Fuld School of Nursing to advance nursing practice, the doctoral program builds on the foundation of undergraduate and graduate education. Our curriculum places special emphasis on preparing nurses to provide high quality care to vulnerable and underserved urban communities.

Graduates incorporate advanced theory, research, advocacy, leadership and clinical skills with an emphasis on independent and interprofessional practice required to assume responsibility and accountability for the health promotion, assessment, diagnosis, and management of culturally diverse clients' problems across settings.

Graduation Requirements

All DNP students must demonstrate and complete the following criteria to be eligible for graduation:

• 3.0 cumulative GPA
• Grades of B or better in all doctoral coursework
• Success completion of DNP Scholarly Project
• 1000 clinical practice hours