Nursing Practice, Doctor of Nursing Practice (0011)
Department website: http://www.wku.edu/nursing
Program Coordinator
Tonya M. Bragg-Underwood, tonya.bragg-underwood@wku.edu, (270) 745-4377
The WKU Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is a practice focused degree preparing advanced practice nurses to assume leadership roles in healthcare. The curriculum, based on a scientific foundation for advanced practice, is designed to emphasize evidence-based practice, leadership, health policy development, and organizational analysis and change. The Post-MSN and the BSN to DNP options are available. The BSN to DNP option offers two concentrations: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Nurse Executive. Both options complete a practice immersion experience and culminating DNP Project. BSN to DNP FNP concentration students are eligible to sit for national certification as a FNP.
Concentration(s)
- BSN to DNP, Family Nurse Practitioner (DNPF)
- BSN to DNP, Nurse Executive (DNEP)
- MSN to DNP (DNPN)
Program Admission
- BSN or MSN from a CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education) or Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN, formerly NLNAC/National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission) accredited nursing program
- GPA - 3.25 cumulative in BSN or MSN
- Undergraduate degree from an international university outside the U.S. or English is second language submit appropriate TOFEL scores (policy established by Graduate Studies)
- Three professional references
- Written goal statement
- Resume highlighting past education, relevant clinical experience, scholarly endeavors and professional service (BSN to DNP students must document one year of full time experience as a registered nurse prior to enrolling in a clinical course)
- Professional license
- MSN - current and unencumbered RN and APN license (if applicable) in the state residence in which clinical experiences will be completed.
- BSN - current and unencumbered RN license in Kentucky or compact state
The following requirements only apply to the MSN to DNP option:
- Completed verification of post-baccalaureate practice hours form. (Applicants who cannot demonstrate a minimum of 500 clinical clock hours in graduate program will be expected to complete clinical course work beyond the proposed curriculum.)
- Graduate level statistics course within past 5 years
Following review of the admission materials by the Graduate Committee, applicants may be invited to interview with graduate faculty. Admissions are competitive. Documentation that an applicant meets the minimum admission requirements does not ensure admission to the program. It is expected that applicants have moderate technology skills and access to a personal computer and high speed DSL or broadband internet service.
The WKU DNP program is a practice focused degree preparing advanced practice nurses to assume leadership roles in healthcare. The curriculum is based upon a strong scientific foundation for practice and is designed to emphasize evidence-based practice, leadership, health policy development, organizational analysis, and change.
Two options are available in the DNP program: MSN to DNP and BSN to DNP. The BSN to DNP has two concentrations: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Nurse Executive (NE). BSN to DNP FNP concentration students are eligible to sit for national certification as a FNP.
All students complete a practice immersion experience and culminating DNP Project with a patient population or in a healthcare system that demonstrates application of advanced clinical and evidence-based practice. It will serve as a foundation for future scholarly practice.
Graduate Studies Admission
Please refer to the admission section of this catalog for Graduate Studies admission requirements.
Program Requirements (36-76 hours)
BSN to DNP, Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration (76 hours)
The BSN to DNP is a 76 hour credit program with both full and part time options.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| Graduate Statistics Course | 3 | |
| NURS 504 | Theoretical Foundations of Professional Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 510 | Graduate Nursing Research | 3 |
| NURS 601 | Orientation to Doctor of Nursing Practice | 2 |
| NURS 605 | Leadership in Nursing Practice | 3 |
| NURS 620 | Biostatistics for Healthcare Professionals | 3 |
| NURS 630 | Advanced Epidemiology | 3 |
| NURS 700 | Healthcare Leadership and Organizational Theory | 3 |
| or LEAD 500 | Effective Leadership Studies | |
| NURS 701 | Leadership in Health Policy | 3 |
| NURS 712 | Evidenced-Based Practice | 3 |
| NURS 714 | Economic and Financial Influences in Healthcare Systems | 3 |
| NURS 740 | Technology in Healthcare | 3 |
| NURS 750 | Program Development and Evaluation in Healthcare | 3 |
| NURS 755 | Quality Improvement in Healthcare | 3 |
| NURS 765 | Institutional Review Board Process in Nursing | 1 |
| NURS 780 | Clinical Practicum | 6 |
| NURS 500 | Advanced Physiological and Pathophysiological Concepts | 4 |
| NURS 503 | Advanced Health Assessment | 2 |
| NURS 505 | Advanced Health Assessment Clinical | 1 |
| NURS 508 | Advanced Issues in Professional Nursing | 1 |
| NURS 509 | Practice Management for Advanced Practice Nurses | 1 |
| NURS 515 | Advanced Pharmacology | 4 |
| NURS 546 | Primary Care of the Infant, Child, and Adolescent | 3 |
| NURS 547 | Primary Care of the Infant, Child and Adolescent Clinical | 2 |
| NURS 548 | Primary Care of the Adult | 3 |
| NURS 549 | Primary Care of the Adult Clinical | 2 |
| NURS 554 | Primary Care Internship | 5 |
| Total Hours | 76 | |
BSN to DNP, Nurse Executive Concentration (63 hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| Graduate Statistics Course | 3 | |
| NURS 504 | Theoretical Foundations of Professional Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 510 | Graduate Nursing Research | 3 |
| NURS 601 | Orientation to Doctor of Nursing Practice | 2 |
| NURS 605 | Leadership in Nursing Practice | 3 |
| NURS 620 | Biostatistics for Healthcare Professionals | 3 |
| NURS 630 | Advanced Epidemiology | 3 |
| NURS 700 | Healthcare Leadership and Organizational Theory | 3 |
| or LEAD 500 | Effective Leadership Studies | |
| NURS 701 | Leadership in Health Policy | 3 |
| NURS 712 | Evidenced-Based Practice | 3 |
| NURS 714 | Economic and Financial Influences in Healthcare Systems | 3 |
| NURS 740 | Technology in Healthcare | 3 |
| NURS 750 | Program Development and Evaluation in Healthcare | 3 |
| NURS 755 | Quality Improvement in Healthcare | 3 |
| NURS 765 | Institutional Review Board Process in Nursing | 1 |
| NURS 780 | Clinical Practicum | 6 |
| NURS 528 | Leadership and Management in Nursing Administration | 3 |
| LEAD 525 | Leadership Ethics | 3 |
| LEAD 540 | Leading Teams | 3 |
| BA 510 | Advanced Organizational Behavior | 3 |
| COMM 581 | Applied Organizational Communication | 3 |
| Total Hours | 63 | |
MSN to DNP Concentration (36 hours)
The Post-Master's DNP program is a 36 credit hour program with both full and part-time options.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| NURS 601 | Orientation to Doctor of Nursing Practice | 2 |
| NURS 620 | Biostatistics for Healthcare Professionals | 3 |
| NURS 630 | Advanced Epidemiology | 3 |
| NURS 700 | Healthcare Leadership and Organizational Theory | 3 |
| or LEAD 500 | Effective Leadership Studies | |
| NURS 701 | Leadership in Health Policy | 3 |
| NURS 712 | Evidenced-Based Practice | 3 |
| NURS 714 | Economic and Financial Influences in Healthcare Systems | 3 |
| NURS 740 | Technology in Healthcare | 3 |
| NURS 750 | Program Development and Evaluation in Healthcare | 3 |
| NURS 755 | Quality Improvement in Healthcare | 3 |
| NURS 765 | Institutional Review Board Process in Nursing | 1 |
| NURS 780 | Clinical Practicum | 6 |
| Total Hours | 36 | |