Nursing Practice (DNP)

Mission Statement

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the DNP program, graduates will be able to

• Employ the skills necessary to engage in life-long learning through intellectual inquiry and scholarship
• Lead and serve on interprofessional teams to promote improved population health and outcomes in complex healthcare systems
• Practice critical thinking and evidence-based decision making in delivering or directing nursing practice and serving as a leader in healthcare systems
• Provide leadership in the use of technology and information systems for the evaluation and improvement of individual, population, and institutional outcomes
• Exhibit professional and ethical standards while advocating for safe, equitable, and cost-effective healthcare and policies for all
• Communicate effectively with members of interprofessional teams, healthcare consumers, policy makers, and institutional, local, regional, and national healthcare leaders
• Utilize transformational leadership, systems thinking, and clinical analytics to improve healthcare outcomes for individuals and diverse populations
• Deliver or direct nursing practice based on sound theoretical frameworks, best scientific evidence, clinical expertise, and in collaboration with the patient and family.

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission, a candidate must submit the following:

• BSN-entry DNP: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree with cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 grade—official transcripts required
• MSN-entry DNP: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree with cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 grade—official transcripts required
• An official transcript is one sent directly to the Admissions Office by the registrar of the issuing institution or one forwarded in a sealed envelope from the issuing institution.
  • BSN-entry-DNP: Applicants must submit transcripts showing degree conferral of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and an Associate of Degree in Nursing, if applicable. If select courses (usually science courses) were taken at institutions other than the degree conferring institutions, USAHS may request those transcripts be submitted as well. An official transcript is one sent directly to the Admissions Office by the registrar of the issuing institution or one forwarded in a sealed envelope from the issuing institution. The following science courses may trigger a request for additional transcripts if not on transcript of degree conferred for MSN applicants:
  • • Anatomy and physiology
    • Pathophysiology
    • Microbiology
    • Physical assessment
    • Pharmacology
• Evidence of an unrestricted/unencumbered registered nurse (RN) license in the state of residence: this licensure status must be maintained throughout the entire program
• Professional resume or curriculum vita-showing an equivalent of 1 full-time year of experience as a registered nurse at the time of evaluation
• Essay of approximately 500 words describing short and long term-term career goals and the plan to achieve them and demonstrate scholarly writing
• Two professional reference (submitted electronically): One should be a nurse educator (clinical or academic) familiar with the applicants ability to do academic work and one should be an immediate supervisor (e.g., nurse manager), preceptor, or mentor familiar with your practice skills
• Current resume or curriculum vitae
• A comprehensive background check requiring fingerprints and drug screen which will be administered during the admissions process. An interview may be requested.

If the applicant completed his or her education in a foreign country, the applicant must submit an original copy of a degree credentialing evaluation from an agency recognized by the National Association  of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). The evaluation must indicate previous education at the minimum level of a baccalaureate degree earned at an accredited college or university in the United States for BSN-entry DNP program and. minimum level of a master’s degree earned at an accredited college or university in the United States for MSN-entry DNP program.

International Students Applying for Admission

Foreign-trained candidates who do not require a student visa to participate in University courses and/or degrees can be considered for admission. All instruction in the DNP program is conducted in English. USAHS does not offer English language services, including instruction. All instruction at USAHS is conducted in English. To be considered, a candidate must submit:

• Transcripts (original and a translated version, if applicable) and a credentialing evaluation from an agency recognized by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) that provide evidence of training at a level equivalent to that of a bachelor’s degree in the United States.
• Official TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score report if their education was completed in a language other than English or they reside in a non-English speaking country. A minimum score of 210 (computer-based testing), or 83 (IBT – Internet based testing) is required.

Notification of Status

The applicant will be notified by e-mail from the Admissions Office of his or her admission status after all required application materials have been reviewed by the Admissions Committee.

Academic Requirements

To remain in the DNP program, the student must

• Maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA, and
• Complete the required courses.
• Maintain an unrestricted/unencumbered license in their state of work. Students are required to immediately notify the program director of a change in their licensure status.

Program Overview

• DNP courses are offered through an enriched online experience to meet the needs of working students—allowing students to further their education while pursuing a nursing career.
• Take the program online or as a blended program that incorporates online and optional on-campus learning experiences.
• Collaborate in an interprofessional learning environment with students from other healthcare professions
• Participate in optional weekend immersion experiences in some courses; students will have the opportunity to collaborate with classroom peers and faculty in discussions, activities, and complete coursework before the end of the the term.
• Complete practica in your own community by working with a USAHS faculty and a precepter.
• USAHS offer three different nurse specialization with the BSN-entry DPN curriculum: Nurse Executive, Nurse Informaticist and Family Nurse Practitioner.

Delivery of DNP Coursework

All coursework in the DNP program is offered in an online delivery format. Some courses have optional weekend immersion experiences on one of our campuses. The Family Nurse Practitioner role specialty requires two weekend intensives on one of our campuses. Students are responsible for travel, lodging and meals for immersions and intensives. Practica may be completed in the student’s home community.

Incomplete Coursework

The grade of “I” (Incomplete) is used, for reasons acceptable to the instructor(s), a student has not completed required work within a course by the end of a term. The length of time granted for the completion of the requirement of the course is one additional trimester (15 weeks) after which the “I” grade will be changed to an “F” if the coursework has not been completed. Upon successful completion of the requirement, the student will be assigned a letter grade by the instructor. If the “I” is assigned a grade of “D” or “F” the appropriate action will be taken per present written policy on academic standing.

Time Limit

It is required that BSN-entry DNP students in the Nurse Executive, or Nurse Informaticist role specialty complete all program requirements within 10 trimesters (3 years, 4 months). An extension of up to 5 trimesters (1 year, 8 months) may be requested (total of 15 trimesters or 5 years).

It is required that BSN-entry DNP students in the Family Nurse Practitioner role specialty complete all program requirements within 12 trimesters (4 years). An extension of up to 6 trimesters (2 years) may be requested (total of 18 trimesters or 6 years).  

It is required that MSN-entry DNP students complete all program requirements within 7 trimesters (2 years, 4 months). corrected 04/03/2019 An extension of up to 3 trimesters (1 year) may be requested (total of 10 trimesters or 3 years, 4 months). If the Program Director approves an extension, there is an extension fee of $333 per trimester.

Practicums

If students enter the DNP program with a BSN, they will complete role specialization practica as well as DNP practica focused on leadership, evidence-based practice, and completion of the DNP scholarly project. If students enter the DNP program with and MSN, having completed their role specialization in their MSN program, the-practica will be focused on leadership, evidence-based practice, and completion of the DNP scholarly project.

The types of sites that will be select for the practicums for the DNP program differ by selected role specialty and the focus of the DNP scholarly project. The program director or designee will approve the preceptor and the practicum site to ensure that the preceptor has the education and expertise to guide the student and that the practicum site can provide the required learning experiences.