Doctor of Nursing Practice Courses
Curriculum Details
- 12 courses
- 36 – 40 credit hours
- 500 hours of clinical experience required
- 8-week terms
Benedictine University’s D.N.P. in Executive Leadership includes flexible online courses and cohort experiences that foster personal connections with your instructors and classmates. Our faculty will support your success throughout the program, offering professional insights and help with developing an individualized plan and approach for achieving your clinical hours. We designed the Doctor of Nursing Practice curriculum to align with AACN’s Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education, delivering the right skills for success in nursing today.
Our online program includes eight foundation courses and four practicum courses. The Graduate Clinical Immersion Practicum requires a minimum of 500 hours of clinical experience; however, students are awarded one semester hour for every 125 clinical hours completed during the M.S.N. program. Get started now to complete the program in as few as 24 months.
Core Courses
Credits
Provides graduate level clinical immersion experiences for M.S.N. prepared RNs to meet the required 500 hours. One semester credit hour equals 125 hours of planned clinical nursing practicum experiences. A one semester credit hour waiver is granted for every previously earned 125 hours of graduate level clinical nursing practicum experience. 1-4 semester credit hour/s. Course Repeatable.
Provides the context for understanding nursing as a scientific discipline. Translates evidence from the discipline of nursing and other disciplines into practice. Students will collaborate with other disciplines to implement innovative approaches to the resolution of complex clinical issues. The course provides five (5) hours of planned clinical practice experiences.
Prerequisite: Admission to the D.N.P. program.
Engages students in the translation of evidence and how its use can improve patient outcomes and population health. Students explore what evidence-based implementation strategies work for whom, in which settings, and why. The course provides five (5) hours of planned clinical practice experiences.
Prerequisite: Admission to the D.N.P. program.
Identifies best evidence and practices for the application of information and communication technologies to support care. Students have the opportunity to evaluate the use of information and communication technology to address needs, gaps, and inefficiencies in care. The course provides fifteen (15) hours of planned clinical practice experiences.
Prerequisite: Admission to the D.N.P. program.
Leads team-based change initiatives grounded in quality and process improvement methods. Based on the integration of outcomes metrics students will initiate recommendations for policy change. Leading the dissemination of outcomes, students will have the opportunity to advance quality improvement practices. Students assume an advocacy role for initiatives that support a culture of work environment safety. The course provides fifteen (15) hours of planned clinical practice experiences.
Prerequisite: Admission to the D.N.P. program.
Analyzes relevant internal and external factors that drive healthcare costs and reimbursement. Based on data analysis students recommend system-wide strategies that potentially improve cost effectiveness considering structure, leadership, and workforce needs. The course provides fifteen (15) hours of planned clinical practice experiences.
Prerequisite: Admission to the D.N.P. program.
Advocates for nursing’s professional responsibility to ensure optimal care outcomes. As a servant leader the student fosters a practice environment that promotes social justice and health equity. Students model behaviors that advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in their practice. The course provides five (5) hours of planned clinical practice experiences.
Prerequisite: Admission to the D.N.P. program.
Engagement in Interprofessional Partnerships to Support Population Health. “Collaborates with appropriate stakeholders to address population healthcare needs. Students create opportunities for individuals and organizations to improve population health as well as evaluate the effectiveness of partnerships for achieving health equity. Students contribute to system-level planning, decision-making, and evaluation for disasters and public health emergencies. Students analyze the interconnectedness of shared professional values, interdisciplinary expertise, and policy and advocacy to secure resources and optimize cost-effective healthcare for populations. The course provides fifteen (15) hours of planned clinical practice experiences.
Prerequisite: Admission to the D.N.P. program.
Utilizes self-reflection to develop one’s self as a leader, proficient in asserting control, influence, and power in professional and personal contexts. Students lead in advancing the profession of nursing through mentoring of others, fostering activities that support a culture of life-long learning, and contributing to an environment that promotes personal health and wellbeing. The course provides ten (10) hours of planned clinical practice experiences.
Prerequisite: Admission to the D.N.P. program.
Practicum Courses
Credits
Focuses on the key aspects of proposal development and planning for the implementation of a comprehensive D.N.P. project. The student is guided by a faculty mentor in the development of the project proposal and synthesis of course content throughout the D.N.P. program. Upon completion of this course, the student will have developed and received all required approvals to implement the project. A minimum of 125 clinical practice hours is required for course completion.
Prerequisites: NRHL 7700, NRHL 7702, NRHL 7704, NRHL 7706, NRHL 7720, NRHL 7722, NRHL 7724 and NRHL 7726.
Focuses on implementing a practicum project in the clinical setting, translating acquired knowledge into practice, improving systems and health outcomes, and demonstrating the ability to lead and practice at the highest level of clinical nursing practice. The student is guided by a faculty mentor in the implementation of the project and synthesis of course content throughout the D.N.P. program. A minimum of 125 clinical practice hours is required for course completion.
Prerequisite: NRHL 8800.
Focuses on evaluating the effectiveness of the practicum project and the student’s role in guiding and mentoring others in evidence-based interventions. The student is guided by a faculty mentor in the overall evaluation of the project and course content throughout the D.N.P. program. A minimum of 125 clinical practice hours is required for course completion.
Prerequisite: NRHL 8802.
Focuses on the dissemination of the student’s completed evidence-based project. The student completes a comprehensive D.N.P. project that provides evidence of scholarly writing, advanced clinical expertise, systems analysis, and the generation of findings. Results are prepared for dissemination to either a local, regional, national, or global audience of healthcare providers. The student is guided by a faculty mentor in the final dissemination of the project and synthesis of course content throughout the D.N.P. program. A minimum of 125 clinical practice hours is required for course completion.
Prerequisite: NRHL 8804.
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