Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) (Post Masters to D.N.P. - NP, CRNA, CNS, and CNM)

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.

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.

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.

• Simulation Lab
• Honor Societies

Purpose of the DNP Program
To prepare APNs to transform clinical practice as expert clinicians and leaders with a special focus on rural and underserved populations.

The program is open to registered nurses with a Master’s Degree in nursing with CNP, CRNA, CNS, and CNM.  The program is designed for part-time study (including summers), and requires a 29-37 course credits. The program is delivered through an executive delivery model in Sioux Falls that includes online components.