Doctor of Nursing Practice

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a doctoral degree in the CSON that can be completed in six semesters. The DNP in Nurse Anesthesia program at LMU can only be completed as a full-time option and consists of nine semesters.

The DNP will prepare graduates as visionary leaders in the practice of nursing and delivery of healthcare locally, regionally, and nationally in all settings. The program prepares graduates to demonstrate advanced competencies in areas including advanced practice skills, prevention and population health, organizational and systems leadership, practice scholarship and analytical methods, information systems/technology for transformation of healthcare, leadership in healthcare policy, and inter-professional collaboration and population outcomes. The DNP program will prepare graduates to fully implement emerging science and practice innovation in healthcare.

Goal

The DNP program provides the opportunity for nurses to earn a practice doctorate as practice scholars and expert clinicians in innovative healthcare that translates research into evidence in practice, measures patient outcomes, advances nursing roles in practice and nursing leadership, and transforms policy at all levels in healthcare systems to ensure quality and safety.

DNP End-of-Program Student Learning Outcomes

The outcomes of the DNP program are to prepare students as practice scholars in practice-oriented, community-based roles that reflect translation of research into practice by incorporation of health policy, principles of epidemiology, information technology, evidence-based practice, business principles, collaboration, and health systems.
DNP Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the DNP program students will be able to:

1. Synthesize knowledge from nursing science and related disciplines and apply principles of evidenced-based practice to improve health outcomes.
2. Apply knowledge of systems and organizational theories to lead the development of initiatives to improve quality, manage risks, and provide cost-effective patient care.
3. Demonstrate advanced analytic techniques in the appraisal of the quality of existing evidence to determine best clinical practices, design and implement plans to evaluate clinical outcomes, analyze data from practice in order to identify gaps in nursing science, and contribute to the generation and dissemination of nursing knowledge.
4. Evaluate data management systems, healthcare information systems, consumer health information sources and patient care technology to improve the ethical and effectiveuse of information to improve health outcomes.
5. Advocate for ethical health care policies that ensure equity, stewardship of resources, and improvement of health outcomes at local, regional, federal and or international levels.
6. Demonstrate interprofessional collaboration, employing consultative and leadership skills to effectively improve health outcomes.
7. Analyze and apply scientific data to develop and implement interventions to promote health, address disparities, reduce risk, and manage disease trajectory to improve health outcomes of individuals, communities, populations, and systems.
8. Apply advanced nursing practice knowledge and competencies to assess health and illness parameters, design, implement, and evaluate interventions to improve health outcomes and serve as a leader, life-long learner, and mentor in the promotion of practice excellence.

Doctor of Nursing Practice Post Master’s Admission Criteria/Requirements

1. Earned Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) from a nationally accredited CCNE or ACEN program.
2. Certification as Nurse Practitioner, Certified Nurse- Midwife, Clinical Nurse Specialist, or Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
   OR
   MSN with an Administration concentration and/or at least one year of experience in a nursing administration role
   OR
   An earned MSN in a different specialty than above will be considered on an individual basis.
   Note: a longer program of study and/or additional requirements may be required to fulfill required practice hours and consideration is not a guarantee of admission
3. Unencumbered licensure in the United States as a registered nurse. Practice will dictate specific state licensure.
4. At least two years of full-time work experience (or equivalent) in nursing as a registered nurse.
5. GPA 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale.
6. Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores for applicants with cumulative grade point average less than 3.4 as reported by the MSN institution.
7. Basic statistics course.
8. A completed application packet includes: a.
   1. Completed DNP application form.
   2. Official GRE scores (If applicable).
   3. A current resume which includes employment history, military service, academic scholarships, awards and/or honors, professional memberships and awards, professional presentations or publication, and community service activities.
   4. A typewritten letter discussing the applicant’s goals and personal reasons to undertake doctoral education. The letter should indicate the applicant’s career plans upon program completion.
   5. Three letters of reference pertaining to academic ability, professional proficiency, and personal integrity: one from the applicant’s current supervisor, one from a faculty member who has worked with the applicant during previous academic study, and one professional reference selected by the applicant.
   6. Official transcripts from each college, university, or nursing program attended.
9. An optional telephone or in-person interview as part of the admission process.
10. International students must demonstrate sufficient ability to read, write and speak English with a minimum score of 550 on the TOEFL.
11. International students must submit official transcripts for evaluation to one of the following services: World Education Services (www.wes.org) or Josef Silny & Associates (www.jsilny.com). clinical practicum will require licensure in additional states including Kentucky, Georgia, Virginia, West Virginia, and any other states where students might obtain clinical experience.

Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nurse Anesthesia Post Bachelor’s Admission Criteria/Requirements

1. Graduation from an accredited baccalaureate nursing program.
2. An overall academic record with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of “B” (3.0) or better.
3. All applicants must have understanding of basic computer skills and completion of an undergraduate statistics course. Competitive GRE scores on Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing are required.
4. Minimum of three recommendations including one from faculty of the candidate’s baccalaureate nursing program or immediate supervisor in a critical care setting and one from another professional in a related healthcare field (examples may include: Clinical Nurse Specialist, RN, CRNA, Anesthesiologist, Surgeon, or Intensivist).
5. The application must complete undergraduate basic chemistry course and an organic chemistry course, at least one of which has a laboratory component.
6. A statement of professional goals.
7. An unencumbered license to practice as a registered nurse in the state of Tennessee is required for enrollment; clinical practicum will require licensure in additional states including Kentucky, Georgia, Virginia, West Virginia, and any other states where students might obtain clinical experience.
8. A minimum of one-year experience as a Registered Nurse in critical care (Level I or Level II trauma center preferred); adult critical care experience preferred.
9. The Nurse Anesthesia concentration is a full- time program. Students may only request full- time status.
10. Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, and Pediatric Life Support must be current through December of the year in which the application is submitted.
11. Medical profile including immunizations record and urine drug screen completed no more than 60 days prior to enrollment in the Nurse Anesthesia concentration.
12. A criminal background check and drug screen will be completed prior to enrollment no more than 60 days prior to enrollment in the Nurse Anesthesia concentration.
13. Proof of health insurance at all times when enrolled in the program.
14. An in-person or Zoom interview as part of the admission process.
15. Students from outside the United States must demonstrate sufficient ability to read, write and speak English with a minimum score of 550 on the TOEFL.
16. Students from outside the United States must submit official transcripts for evaluation to one of the following services: World Education Services (www.wes.org) or Josef Silny & Associates (www.jsilny.com).
17. Critical care registered nurse certification (CCRN) preferred.

Students dismissed from a nurse anesthesia or other advanced practice nurse program for academic, clinical, or behavioral reasons will not be admitted to the DNP in Nurse Anesthesia program. Students who have been enrolled in another program and withdrew in good standing or are still enrolled in good standing must have a letter from the program director stating that they are or withdrew when they were in good standing. Students who are in good standing or who left a program in good standing will be considered for admission.

Additional Information

Prospective students who have been enrolled or are still enrolled in another program may be considered for admission to the Caylor School of Nursing DNP program. Students dismissed from another DNP program for academic, practice, or behavioral reasons will not be admitted to the Caylor School of Nursing DNP program. The prospective student must have a letter from the program director stating that the prospective be resubmitted to student is currently enrolled or withdrew when they were in good standing.

Applicants are reviewed for the graduate program upon completion of all admission requirements. If a student chooses to interrupt the NURS course sequence for any reason an admission application must Graduate Nursing Office. Readmission to the DNP program is not guaranteed.

Accepted students must submit a completed medical profile form, immunization record, background check and urine screen prior to matriculation. Students must have and maintain for the duration of the program: unencumbered RN license, current infant, children, and adult CPR certification, health insurance, and current immunization according to the CDC guidelines. See DNP student handbook for detail.