Nursing Practice, DNP

Latina Brooks, PhD, CNP, FAANP, Post-Baccalaureate/APRN DNP Program Director

Jesse Honsky, DNP, MPH, RN, PHNA-BC , Post-Master's DNP Program Director

Email: dnpasst@case.edu

Phone: 216.368.1907


Degree: Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)


Program Overview

The Doctor of Nursing Practice Program (DNP) is an innovative academic program designed to prepare nurses for leadership positions in advanced nursing practice roles. The Post-Master's DNP program is flexible in meeting the needs of distance education students, with an executive format and cohort model that has partnerships with institutions around the country.

The DNP program admits students at three different stages in order to accommodate students with diverse educational backgrounds.

  • Post-Licensure DNP (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) stage: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree awarded). This entry point into the DNP program is designed for registered nurses entering the MSN program. Students who apply to the MSN and DNP programs at the same time follow a blended curriculum in which students begin taking DNP courses while in the Masters’ program. Students are awarded an MSN degree when they complete MSN requirements and then continue with additional DNP courses. After receiving the MSN degree, students may sit for the certification exam in their advanced practice specialty and then apply to a Board of Nursing for credentials to practice as an APRN. Students already enrolled in the MSN program may also apply to the DNP program during the MSN program but are required to complete courses from both programs.
  • Nurse Anesthesia DNP: (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse; DNP degree awarded). This entry point into the DNP program is designed for registered nurses preparing to be Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA).
  • Post-Master's DNP (Practice Doctorate stage; DNP degree awarded): This stage of the DNP program prepares nurses with MSN degrees to be clinical leaders at the pinnacle of their field. Students acquire in-depth knowledge in nursing theory, inquiry, policy, and leadership. Most post-masters’ DNP students are already practicing as advanced practice nurses, administrators, or educators. There are three elective sequences: Education Leadership, Practice Leadership, and Executive Leadership. 

Learning Outcomes

  • Synthesizes and translates nursing knowledge, including theory, research, and ways of knowing, as well as knowledge from other disciplines, distinguishing the practice of nursing, advancing clinical judgment, and promoting innovation in nursing practice.
  • Leads within healthcare systems to provide and evaluate person-centered care focused on the individual within multiple contexts, including family, important others, and community.
  • Analyzes scientific data and synthesizes concepts related to clinical prevention and population health in developing, implementing, and evaluating interventions to advance equitable population health outcomes.
  • Applies relevant clinical scholarship and quality improvement methods to develop recommendations that improve nursing practice and the practice environment.
  • Disseminates findings from evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and research to improve health care outcomes.
  • Leads using current practice guidelines, evidence-based interventions, and innovation to improve quality and safety for patients and providers.
  • Facilitates an environment and culture of respect to support intra and interprofessional collaboration and quality patient care through effective communication, positive team dynamics and system structures.
  • Designs, implements, and evaluates care delivery approaches, strategies, and policies within systems that meet the needs of patient populations and promote health equity.
  • Provides effective leadership in using information technologies and informatics processes within health care systems resulting in information-based decisions supporting professional practice.
  • Fosters one’s professional identity through the application of ethical principles and self-reflection, resulting in accountability, collaboration, advocacy, and leadership to improve nursing practice.
  • Advocates for an environment that promotes respect, health, safety, and well-being for self and others.
  • Demonstrates leadership through professional advocacy, mentoring, and engagement in lifelong learning.