Doctor of Nursing Practice, D.N.P., Post-Master’s

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree prepares nurse leaders to apply advanced nursing skills at the highest level of clinical practice. Students will acquire the knowledge and skills to influence change that will improve health outcomes in populations specific to their expertise. The development of evidence-based interventions, quality improvement methodologies, and health policy changes to enhance health care delivery at the system-wide level will be emphasized. The program culminates with practice immersion experiences in which the student develops, implements, and evaluates a practice change initiative within the clinical setting.

The DNP degree is a practice-focused doctorate that will prepare nurse leaders to:

• Rigorously appraise evidence and implement and evaluate evidence-based interventions in the practice setting
• Plan evidence-based quality improvement strategies that improve patient safety and quality outcomes
• Use information systems for data mining to enhance healthcare delivery
• Influence complex healthcare systems to implement policy changes that improve patient outcomes