Learning Outcomes

• Students integrate nursing science and theory with knowledge and theory from ethics, the biophysical, psychosocial, cultural, and organizational sciences to develop and evaluate new practice approaches.
• Students demonstrate leadership in the development and evaluation of care delivery approaches that meet current and future needs of patient populations from findings of nursing and other clinical sciences, as well as organizational, political and economic sciences.
• Students develop and evaluate effective strategies and ensure accountability for leading organizations, addressing quality improvement and patient safety initiatives, and managing ethical dilemmas inherent in patient care and research.
• Students use analytic methods to critically appraise existing evidence to determine best practices.
• Students apply relevant findings and use quality improvement methods to develop recommendations to improve practice and the practice environment.
• Students disseminate findings from evidence-based practice and research to improve health care outcomes.
• Students evaluate programs that monitor outcomes of care, care systems, and quality improvement including consumer use of health care information systems.
• Students provide leadership in the evaluation and resolution of ethical and legal issues within health care systems relating to the use of information, information technology, communication networks and patient care technology.
• Studnets demonstrate leadership in the critical appraisal, development, and/or implementation of institutional, local, state, federal, and international health policy.
• Students collaborate using communication, consultative, and leadership skills, with intraprofessional and interprofessional teams to improve quality and safety in health care.
• Students analyze scientific data and synthesize concepts related to clinical prevention and population health in developing, implementing, and evaluating interventions to address health promotion and disease prevention efforts.

Program Requirements

Progression

Progression in the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program is contingent upon satisfactory academic achievement in all required courses.

Doctor of Nursing Practice students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or above in all courses taken for credit as a DNP student at the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing to be awarded the DNP degree. In addition, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) students in the DNP program must maintain an APRN GPA of 3.0 or higher in all APRN core courses (advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, and advanced physical assessment) and APRN clinical courses.  All DNP students must successfully complete an oral presentation of their DNP project.

A grade of “I” (Incomplete) in a course is awarded when a student is meeting expectations in that course, is earning a passing grade, and due to extenuating circumstances is unable to complete a portion of the work on time for grade submission. This must be pre-arranged with course faculty, before the date on which grades are due. If a student receives a grade of “I” they have until the 11^th week of the following semester to complete the outstanding work. In this case the “I” will convert to the grade earned. If a student does not complete the outstanding work by the 11^th week of the following semester, in accordance with University policy, the grade will be converted to a failing grade (“F” or “NP”). Please refer to the full Incomplete policy in the School of Graduate Studies section of the CWRU Bulletin.

If a student receives a grade of “F” or “NP” as the final grade in a required course, that grade will be entered on the transcript. The student will be required to repeat the course during the next semester in which the course is offered and will not be allowed to enroll in other courses for which the failed course is a prerequisite.

DNP Project

The DNP program culminates in successful completion of the DNP project. The DNP project is designed by the student in collaboration with a three-member committee approved by the Program Director. The project must focus on a practice issue related to improving patient outcomes. The written product can take the form of a written report or a manuscript suitable for publication. The procedures and written report must conform to the regulations of the FPB School of Nursing.

Students must successfully present their completed DNP project in an oral presentation with their committee members who are responsible for certifying that it meets acceptable scholarly standards. The final presentation is conducted on campus, in-person. The presentation is open to faculty and students; the chair determines whether the defense is open to those outside of the University. The committee determines the adequacy of the oral presentation and written product. A student will pass if two or more of the committee members agree that the student successfully responded to questions during the oral presentation and the written product met scholarly standards.

Completion of Program

Post-Master's Doctor of Nursing Practice program (PMDNP) students have five years to complete the program. In unusual circumstances, students may petition the Program Director for individual consideration of this policy. 

If a student does not register for courses without an approved LOA for two years (Fall & Spring), it will be necessary for the student to apply to be reinstated in the program. The student should submit the Post-Master’s DNP application form, essays and one recent recommendation. The essays should address how the student plans to be successful in completing the program. The student should contact the advisor to determine if the advisor agrees with the plan and the advisor and Program Director will make the decision about the need to repeat coursework. Please refer to the School of Graduate Studies’ full policy regarding Leave of Absence and absence for maternity/paternity leaves and military service. 

The France Payne Bolton School of Nursing has a unique approach to "distance" learning. Most classes are held in an Intensive Format, meeting for a specified number of days with additional meetings held online. For example, a 3-credit course will meet for 5-6 days. Three courses are taught online across the semester. Intensive sessions are given three times a year (January, May, and August) for at least two weeks. Papers and projects are due in the semester following the intensive session. NUND 619 DNP Project Proposal Development and NUND 620 DNP Project Implementation are arranged with the advisor and NUND 611 DNP Practicum is arranged with the advisor and preceptor/s.

DNP Curriculum

The DNP curriculum listed below is intended for Post-Master's DNP students.  Each student is expected to satisfactorily complete the Required Courses AND the two courses listed for one Elective Sequence. 

Students completing the MSN/DNP Program should refer to that curriculum. The Nurse Anesthesia DNP Curriculum can be found below the Post-Master's DNP Curriculum. 

Required Courses

Elective Sequence Requirements

Educational Leadership

Practice Leadership

Executive Leadership 

 Nurse Anesthesia DNP

Dual Degree Options

• Nursing Practice, DNP/Nursing, PhD

• Nusing, MSN/Nursing Practice, DNP