Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Purpose
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a professional doctorate featuring Executive Leadership or Advanced Clinical Practice tracks. Graduates of the program are prepared to assume advanced leadership positions in nursing and health care, both at system and direct patient care levels. DNP graduates lead teams, manage a service line or clinical department, impact health policy, or take on a leadership role in a wide range of healthcare organizations. For more information about the program and the application process, please visit the IU School of Nursing DNP web site.
DNP Learning Outcomes
The DNP Learning Outcomes reflect executive leadership knowledge and skills and design of sustainable new models of care. As a DNP graduate you are well positioned for a successful career as a leader within healthcare settings. Graduates of the program are expected to:
- Use executive leadership knowledge and skills to advance population health, enhance safety and quality, and disseminate new knowledge in complex systems
- Create value through novel practice change, translation of evidence, appropriation of resources, and performance improvement.
- Synthesize multiple sources of information to transform clinical practice and design sustainable new models of care and/or care delivery systems
- Advocate for diverse patient, family, and community health by actively engaging in design, implementation, and evaluation of health policy at multiple levels
- Integrate ethical obligations, legal and regulatory recommendations, professional standards, practice guidelines, and professional accountability in own practice
- Apply interprofessional collaborative relationships to promote cultures of inclusion, inquiry, professional governance, and ongoing partnership
Outcomes approved by DNP Curriculum & Student Affairs 10/11/18
DNP Program Tracks
The IU School of Nursing DNP Program features four program tracks designed to meet student needs:
- The Post-MSN Executive Leadership track (37-41 credits) is designed to prepare nurses to lead teams, work at the highest level of advanced practice, manage a service line or clinical department, impact health policy, or take on a leadership role in a wide range of healthcare and education organizations.
- The Post-MSN Advanced Clinical track (37-41 credits) is designed to prepare nurses to move into high demand clinical practice nursing roles, fulfilling both the career advancement needs of Indiana’s nursing workforce as well as the state’s need for more advanced nurses skilled in achieving population health outcomes.
- The MBA or MHA to DNP transition track (50 credits) allows practicing nurses with an earned Master of Business Administration (MBA) or Master of Health Administration (MHA) to move more quickly into high demand executive nurse leader roles. BSN-prepared licensed nurses complete 12 “transition credits” (4 courses) in the MSN program covering essential content and allowing students to transition seamlessly into the DNP program Executive Leadership track.
- The MSN-DNP Dual Degree track (67 credits) is designed to accelerate the pathway from BSN to DNP. MSN-DNP Dual Degree track students move seamlessly from the MSN to the DNP curriculum. Twelve credits (4 courses) are counted for both degrees saving time and money. The MSN (Health Systems Leadership track) is awarded at the completion of the required MSN courses; students then complete the additional DNP courses and are awarded the DNP. Graduates are prepared to lead teams, work at the highest level of advanced practice, manage a service line or clinical department, impact health policy, or take on a leadership role in a wide range of healthcare and education organizations.
DNP Curriculum Core Courses for all tracks
The full plan of study for each DNP track is available for review on the School of Nursing DNP program overview web pages.
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
| NURS-D 615 | Performance Improvement & Patient Safety in Health Systems | 3 |
| NURS-D 650 | Data Analysis in Administrative and Clinical Decision Making | 3 |
|
NURS-D 709 or |
Executive Leadership Practicum (Executive Leadership track) |
1 |
| NURS-D 710 | Analytical thinking for Evidence Based Practice | 3 |
| NURS-D 721 | Advanced Leadership in Complex Systems | 3 |
| NURS-D 722 | Theoretical Basis of Project Implementation and Evaluation | 3 |
| NURS-D 735 | Population Health Surveillance & Management | 3 |
| NURS-D 743 | Trans-disciplinary Approaches to Influencing Public Health Policy | 3 |
| NURS-D 744 | Strategic Resource Management in Nursing & Health Systems | 3 |
| NURS-D 748 | Leading Patient-Centered Interprofessional Collaborative Practice Environments | 3 |
| NURS-D 750 | DNP Project Planning | 1-2 |
| NURS-D 760 | DNP Project Implementation | 2-4 |
| NURS-D 770 | DNP Project Evaluation & Dissemination | 3-4 |
| Elective | 3 |
Last updated March 2022
