Nursing (D.N.P.)

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Program Coordinator/Contact

Melinda Tinkle, Associate Dean for Academic Programs
College of Nursing
Wagner Hall 217, Box 2275
605-688-5178 or 1-888-216-9806, Ext 2

Program Information

The D.N.P. program was established in 2009. The program was developed in response to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Position Statement on the Practice Doctorate in Nursing. The position statement supported moving the preparation of advanced practice nurses from the M.S. in Nursing to the Doctoral level by the year 2015.

The purpose of the D.N.P. program is to prepare Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) to transform clinical practice as expert clinicians and leaders with a special focus on rural and underserved populations.

In addition to delivering evidence-based direct patient care at an advanced practice level to individuals across the lifespan in primary care settings, graduates of the D.N.P. program will learn skills needed to produce and implement valuable evidence to guide practice and are prepared to work collaboratively with rural communities in an effort to reduce health disparities.

Program Outcomes

To prepare graduates as clinicians and leaders with a special focus on rural and underserved populations.
To prepare graduates to deliver evidence-based direct patient care to individuals across the lifespan in primary care settings.
To prepare graduates to produce and implement scientific evidence to guide practice.
To prepare graduates to work collaboratively with frontier, urban, and rural communities in an effort to reduce health disparities.

Student Learning Outcomes

At the completion of the program, the graduate will successfully demonstrate the following competencies:

Integrate theoretical and scientific underpinnings of nursing and other disciplines to address emerging healthcare and practice issues.
Engage in health policy at all levels to influence healthcare delivery concerns, such as health disparities, cultural sensitivity, ethics, access to care, health finance, and quality of care. (Transferable Skill: Diversity Awareness; Ethics - Moral Decision Making/Moral Reasoning)
Employ evidence-based practice and advanced clinical judgment to comprehensively assess, design, and deliver care for individuals or populations.
Demonstrate leadership at the organizational and/or systems level to address health outcomes of individuals and populations though evidence-based initiatives. (Transferable Skill: Leadership - Management)
Utilize advanced nursing knowledge and information systems/technology related to clinical prevention and health promotion to address gaps in healthcare.
Collaborate with the interprofessional team in the translation, implementation, analysis, and dissemination of evidence-based practice to improve healthcare outcomes. (Communication Skills)

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 Format

Nursing courses are delivered face-to-face and enhanced with web-based instruction. Online course delivery is also offered for specified courses.

Facilities and Services

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

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 31-36 course credits. The program is delivered through an executive delivery model in Sioux Falls that includes online components.

Available Options for Graduate Degrees

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Post Masters to D.N.P. - NP, CRNA, CNS, and CNM

31-36 Credits

Core Requirements

Post Master’s to D.N.P. - NP, CRNA, CNS, and CNM

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

HSC 631 - Biostatistics I Credits: 3
NURS 750 - Transformational Leadership in Nursing Credits: 3
NURS 780 - Clinical Genetics and Genomics: Advanced Concepts Credits: 1
NURS 781 - Clinical Epidemiology: Advanced Concepts Credits: 1
NURS 835 - Ethical Issues Influencing Practice and Research in Health Credits: 2
NURS 850 - Philosophical and Theoretical Foundations for Evidence-Based Care Credits: 3
NURS 855 - Translational Research in Health Care Credits: 3
NURS 860 - Health Operations and Financial Management for Nurse Leaders Credits: 3
NURS 875 - DNP Intensive Credits: 1-9 (3-8 credits required)
NURS 880 - DNP Project Credits: 1-8 (8 credits required)
PHA 738 - Health Informatics Credits: 1

Total Required Credits: 31-36 Credits (Post Master’s to D.N.P.)

Additional Admissions Requirements

GRE: Not required
TOEFL: Score of 81 Internet-based, OR
IELTS: 6.5 total band

In addition to meeting the Graduate School admission requirements, applicants for graduate study for the Post Master to Doctor of Nursing Practice (who possess current certification as a NP, CRNA, CNM or CNS) must have:

Current licensure as a Registered Nurse in the United States or its’ territories prior to enrollment in first graduate nursing course.
National certification as a NP, CRNA, CNM, or CNS.
Completed and verified application to the Graduate Nursing program via NursingCAS website.
Completed an approved statistical methods course within 5 years of enrollment in the designated research course within the DNP program coursework.
Interview assessment reviewed by graduate faculty.
Applicants who have begun but not completed a graduate nursing program at another college or university must submit a letter to the College of Nursing indicating their reason for leaving that said program. A letter of recommendation must also be submitted to the College of Nursing from the dean/director of their former program that includes the applicant’s standing in that program upon exit.
Completed Compliance requirements: Clear Background check, clear FBI rolled fingerprint, clear drug screen, Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers, ACLS certification for FNP specialization, professional liability insurance, influenza vaccine, and TB test.

For applicants who completed their higher education within the United States:

Bachelor’s degree in nursing from an ACEN or CCNE accredited program with a minimum cumulative preferred GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 point grading system.
Master’s degree in nursing (from an ACEN or CCNE accredited program) with a minimum cumulative preferred GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 point grading system.

For applicants who completed their higher education outside the United States:

A degree deemed equivalent (by the World Education Service) to a Bachelor’s degree in nursing (within the United States Education System) with a minimum cumulative preferred GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 point grading system.
A degree deemed equivalent (by the World Education Service) to a Master’s degree in nursing (within the United States Education System) with a minimum cumulative preferred GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 point grading system.

General Requirements

Graduate students must consult with their advisor before registering for graduate coursework.

For additional information refer to the Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree Requirements .