Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.)

The School of Nursing offers an innovative doctor of nursing practice program with a family nurse practitioner population focus. The practice doctoral program prepares nurses to provide health services at the highest level of clinical nursing practice. The curriculum is designed to develop leaders able to expand their impact on the health of society by improving quality of care, patient outcomes and health policy. The program features an integrative health perspective, which prepares graduates as holistic practitioners who understand many different healing methodologies and who practice collaboratively with those who seek care. There is also an emphasis on caring for disadvantaged populations and eliminating health disparities.

The D.N.P. program incorporates professional standards and guidelines from The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice (AACN, 2006), the Criteria for Evaluation of Nurse Practitioner Programs (NTF, 2012), the Nurse Practitioner Core Competencies (NONPF, 2012), the Population-focused Family/Across the Lifespan Competencies (NONPF, 2013) and the Oregon State Board of Nursing in preparation of the curriculum and evaluation of outcomes.

All D.N.P. students complete a synthesis paper to demonstrate progress towards achieving the program competencies. Students also complete an independent practice improvement project related to advanced nursing practice.  The D.N.P. residency is designed for students to demonstrate synthesis of knowledge and use evidence to improve practice or patient outcomes.

D.N.P. Program Goals

The goals of the D.N.P. program reflect the mission of the School of Nursing with the focus on the profession of nursing, leadership, high quality care for all populations, inquiry, and social justice. The goals, competencies and outcomes are in alignment with professional nursing standards and guidelines.

The goals of the D.N.P. program are to graduate competent, entry-level family nurse practitioners and experienced nurse practitioners who:

1. Practice independently in a variety of primary care health environments, translate best evidence into practice, employ a population focus, incorporate an integrative healthcare perspective, and collaborate with multiple disciplines with the goal of providing effective, comprehensive healthcare;
2. Demonstrate leadership in macro and micro healthcare system change and personal practice improvement; and
3. Proactively strive for social justice, actively address health disparities and function as culturally competent practitioners who relate effectively with diverse and underserved individuals, families and populations.

D.N.P. Admission Requirements

1. Bachelor of science degree in nursing or a master’s degree in nursing from a school of nursing accredited by an appropriate national nursing accrediting body.
2. Cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher in the most recently completed nursing degree program. 
3. For applicants with a bachelor of science degree in nursing : Graduate Record Examination (G.R.E.) verbal score of 150 or above (500 or above if exam was completed prior to August 1, 2011) and an analytical writing score of 3.5 or above; or a score of 50 or greater on the Miller Analogies Test (M.A.T.). Applicants with a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.5 or above in their bachelor of science degree in nursing program are not required to submit G.R.E. or M.A.T. scores. 
4. For applicants with a master's degree who are not nurse practitioners:  Graduate Record Examination (G.R.E.) verbal score of 150 or above (500 or above if exam was completed prior to August 1, 2011) and an analytical writing score of 3.5 or above; or a score of 50 or greater on the Miller Analogies Test (M.A.T.). Applicants with a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.5 or above in their most recently completed nursing degree program are not required to submit G.R.E. or M.A.T. scores.
5. Applicants who are master’s prepared nurse practitioners are not required to submit G.R.E. or M.A.T. scores
6. TOEFL iBT score of 100 or a IELTS score of 7.5, if native language is not English.
7. Current unencumbered R.N. license to practice nursing in state of residence. R.N. licensure in Oregon is encouraged. Additional costs may be incurred for clinical placements outside of Oregon.
8. For applicants who are master’s prepared nurse practitioners: Current nurse practitioner licensure in state of practice and currently employed as a nurse practitioner in a clinical setting.
9. For applicants with a bachelor of science degree in nursing or applicants with a master’s degree in nursing who are not nurse practitioners must complete a minimum of 800 hours of work as a registered nurse by the start of the 7th semester in the program (by the start of Year 3, Summer Session).
10. For applicants with a bachelor of science degree in nursing or applicants with a master’s degree in nursing who are not nurse practitioners: A written essay of your understanding of the D.N.P. prepared Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and the application of integrative health to the FNP role.  For applicants who have a master’s degree and are nurse practitioners: A written essay of your understanding of how the D.N.P. education adds to the nurse practitioner role and how integrative health blends with your nurse practitioner role.
11. Three letters of recommendation from persons able to evaluate current competency in nursing and potential for nursing practice at the most advanced level. One from a nursing professor if applicant graduated within the last five years and two from a practice setting (employer, supervisor, clinical preceptor); if graduated over five years ago, submit three from the current practice setting (employer, supervisor) who can speak to potential for success in the D.N.P.-N.P. program. 
12. College-level statistics course with a grade of B or better within 5 years of acceptance into the program

13. Current résumé.

14. An admission interview upon request of the School of Nursing.

Total Credit Hours: 83