Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) - Family Nurse Practitioner Specialization (Post Masters to D.N.P.)

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Program Information
The Doctor of Nursing Practice prepares advanced practice nurses to transform clinical practice as expert clinicians and leaders with a special focus on rural and under-served populations. The program is open to registered nurses with a Master’s Degree in Nursing (non-clinical focus) from a NLNAC or CCNE accredited program. The program is designed for part-time study (including summers). The program has executive delivery model in Sioux Falls that includes online components.

The program is open to registered nurses with a Master’s Degree in Nursing (non-clinical focus) from a NLNAC or CCNE accredited program. The program is designed for part-time study (including summers). The program has executive delivery model in Sioux Falls that includes online components.

Program Objectives
The graduate of the Doctor of Nursing Practice program will:

Analyze significant practice issues with the theoretical and scientific underpinnings of knowledge-based practice
Employ advanced clinical judgment to assess, design, deliver and evaluate evidence-based care of individuals in complex health and illness situations
Apply a broad system perspective to design, implement and evaluate culturally congruent policies and practices to improve care for a diverse population
Lead health care inter-professional and intra-professional teams to transform care
Initiate ethically sound practice changes to address complex interwoven organization, population, fiscal and policy trends
Demonstrate proficiency in the use of information technology to improve health care within systems
Implement evidence-based clinical prevention and health promotion activities to improve the health of populations

Accreditation, Certification, and Licensure
Accreditation
The Doctor of Nursing Practice at South Dakota State University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036, 202-887-6791.

Licensure
Students must provide evidence of professional registration by submitting a copy of the most current RN license.

Certification
After completing the program of study, graduates may be eligible to complete certification through several professional organizations.
Nursing Certification - Family Nurse Practitioner

Course Delivery
Nursing courses are delivered face-to-face and enhanced with web-based instruction. Online course delivery is also offered for specified courses. Courses are offered fall, spring and summer semesters. Selected nursing and elective courses are available in summer semesters.

Facilities and Services
The College of Nursing provides world-class facilities and a variety of students services and programs for graduate student engagement.

Available Options for Graduate Degrees

Post Masters to Doctor of Nursing Practice

66-69 Credits

Core Requirements

Total Credits: 66-69

* Students who have not previously completed either NURS 623, NURS 631 or PHA 645 OR equivalent coursework within the previous five years, will be required to complete those courses as part of this program option. All previous coursework will need to be evaluated for equivalency and approved by the Associate Dean for Graduate Nursing in order to be included on the student’s Plan of Study.

For additional information, refer to the Graduate Nursing Department webpage.

Additional Admissions Requirements for Post Master to Doctor of Nursing Practice

In addition to meeting the Graduate School admission requirements, applicants for graduate study for the Post Master to Doctor of Nursing Practice (who possess a Master’s Degree in a related field AND a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing) must have:

Current RN licensure.
Bachelor degree in nursing from an NLNAC or CCNE Accredited program with a minimum cumulative 3.3 GPA.
1500 hours of documented nursing practice experience prior to the first clinical course.
Master’s degree in a related field with a minimum cumulative 3.3 GPA.
Completed application to both SDSU Graduate School and the SDSU College of Nursing - Graduate Nursing Program.
Submit written response to questions regarding educational goals, scholarly practice interests and desired practice career.
Completed an approved statistical methods course within the past 5 years.
Interview with graduate faculty.

General Requirements

Graduate students must consult with the Graduate Nursing Student Services Advisor prior to registration for graduate work. Registration is completed by the Graduate Nursing Department. Items 3-7 in the list below are required prior to initial registration and all subsequent registrations.

FBI background check
Drug screening
Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers
ACLS certification
Professional liability insurance
Influenza vaccine
TB test