Mar 28, 2024  
2020-2021 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Nursing, D.N.P. Post-Baccalaureate to D.N.P. (Leadership/Family Nurse Practitioner)


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Dr. Annette Barnes, Graduate Program Chair
410-546-4380

Advisement for the program is available from the School of Nursing .

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) Program addresses the growing need for doctorally prepared nurses in advanced practice roles. Graduates of this program will have specialized skills for managing the increasingly complex health care needs of the region in a cost-effective and collaborative manner. The curriculum emphasizes the use of research and technology to enhance health care and improve outcomes. Students will learn to analyze healthcare systems and integrate evidence-based practice throughout all levels of care. D.N.P. graduates will be employed at the highest level of nursing practice, working with individuals, groups or organizations, and will serve as leaders in health care for the region.

The Post-Baccalaureate to D.N.P. Program allows students with a bachelor’s degree to enter directly into doctoral study.

Post-Baccalaureate to D.N.P. Admission Requirements

Admission to the Post-Baccalaureate to D.N.P. Program requires acceptance to the University for graduate study, as well as acceptance into the Post-Baccalaureate to D.N.P. Program. Admission to the Post-Baccalaureate to D.N.P. Program is a competitive process, and the following required items will be considered individually as the final applicant selections are made.

  • B.S.N. or B. S. in nursing from nationally accredited program.
  • Applicants with cumulative undergraduate GPA≥3.50 (on a 4.0 scale) are given first priority.
  • Applicants with cumulative undergraduate GPA 3.0-3.49 may be considered on an individual basis.
  • Proof of successful completion of basic undergraduate statistics and undergraduate research (minimum grade of C required).
  • Current and active U.S. Registered Nursing (RN) license.
  • Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
  • Current resume or curriculum vitae.
  • Three academic or professional references/letters of recommendation.
  • A 500- to 1,000-word essay outlining the difference between the D.N.P. and other doctoral degrees and how the D.N.P. aligns with the applicant’s professional goals.
  • Residency/Domicile Information form (for those applying for in-state tuition).
  • Fulfillment of University requirements for international students as outlined in the catalog.
  • Interview by the graduate program director or designee.
  • Clinical experience is not required for admission, but students are encouraged to work in professional nursing roles during summers and semester breaks.

Post-Baccalaureate to D.N.P. Enrollment Requirements

After acceptance into the nursing program and prior to beginning any courses, students must:

  • Meet all School of Nursing health requirements.
  • Provide evidence of current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by the American Heart Association for health care providers.
  • Provide evidence of current RN licensure in the state of Maryland, a compact state or the state in which the student is currently practicing.

Program Policies

  • Complete 80-credit curriculum.
  • Students must maintain a valid license as a registered nurse in the State of Maryland or a compact state. If a clinical site is in a non-compact state, additional R.N. licensure for that state is necessary.
  • Students must maintain current clinical and health requirements.
  • Complete a D.N.P. project and 1,000 clinical hours, including 400 hours in SU’s D.N.P. Practicum, reflecting at least two different areas of focus and with advisor’s approval.
  • Graduates are eligible to take the certification exams offered by the American Nurses’ Credentialing Center and American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.
  • Graduate Nursing Program Grading Policy: A grade of B is required in courses for the program not listed here. The program allows one C/C+ if it is earned from one these courses: NURS 515 , NURS 525 , NURS 526 , NURS 542 , NURS 544 , NURS 560 , NURS 561 , NURS 571 , NURS 580 , NURS 742 , NURS 744 , NURS 755 , NURS 815  or NURS 858 . Only one course may be repeated during the program to earn a higher grade. The exception are the following courses, which result in dismissal from the graduate program without possibility of repeating if a grade of C/C+ or lower is earned: NURS 880 , NURS 881 , NURS 882 , NURS 883  and NURS 884 .
  • Students can transfer no more than one-third of the total number of program credits. All transferred credits must have a grade of B or better.

Checklist

This checklist is an unofficial tool for planning. Matriculated students and advisors should consult the Academic Requirements Report in GullNet before and after registering for classes each semester to track academic progress.

Program Requirements


Courses That Can Be Taken Any Time


* A minimum of four credits of Practicum are required, with 400 hours. This course can be taken for variable 1-3 credits (100-400 hours) in at least 2 different areas of focus and with advisor’s approval.

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