Post-MSN Doctorate of Nursing Practice

The Post-Master’s Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) is designed for masters-prepared nurses seeking a terminal degree in nursing. The Post-Master’s DNP curriculum educates nurses in evidence-based practice, quality improvement and systems thinking, and leadership.

The students must successfully complete 30 credits to earn the DNP degree. The minimum acceptable grade is B- or greater. If a student earns less than a B- within a course, the student will be required to retake the course. A required course may be repeated once. If the student is not successful in earning a B- or greater, the student will be disenrolled from the program.

The student must complete a minimum of 500 leadership/ experiential hours and fulfill the requirements for the DNP Project. In conjunction with the student’s MSN hours, the Post MSN DNP student needs to complete a total of 1,000 hours to fulfill the program requirements. The student is required to obtain and submit from the graduating university proof of their direct supervised patient care/ experiential hours.

The Post-Master’s DNP student will be prepared to:

1. Apply critical thinking, and collaborative, interprofessional communication utilizing evidenced-based resources to evaluate, improve, address, and transform health care across all populations and organizational systems.
2. Use a systematic process through theoretical and evidence-based strategies to provide solutions in healthcare. Evaluate, facilitate, and transform processes and policies to ensure quality, cost-efficient, equitable, and innovative solutions including technological advancements to improve global health while upholding cultural, ethical, and diverse aspects of healthcare. 
3. Engage in advocacy and policy formation as a change agent and a transformational leader, the student will critically analyze healthcare policies to promote, collaborate and improve healthcare outcomes while addressing the social determinants of care and the diverse needs of individuals, organizations, and communities in which we serve.
4. Engage in global networking to provide servant leadership within the nursing profession and healthcare communities as a transformational leader embodying the Sisters of Mercy mission to encourage a world that is harmonious, just, and merciful. Remaining entrenched as a lifelong learner to uphold the highest level of nursing practice.

All students must complete the curriculum as follows:

Degree Plan for Post-Master’s Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP)