Doctor of Nursing Practice

 

School of Nursing 3008 Human Health Building  (map) (248) 370-4253 • Fax (248) 364-8740 www.oakland.edu/nursing

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Program director:
Karen Dunn
3003 Human Health Building
(248) 364-8746
kdunn@oakland.edu

 

Program description

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is the terminal degree for nurses in clinical practice. It is a 38-credit, post-master’s program intended to prepare nurse leaders for clinical practice.

Registered Nurses who possess a DNP degree are  prepared to assume clinical and leadership roles in both academic and practice settings. Knowledge acquisition in the DNP program includes the ability to analyze organizational and clinical systems, critique evidence to support clinical practice and improve patient outcomes, and develop practice guidelines to enhance patient safety.

Doctor of Nursing Practice program objectives

Building on the foundation of the master’s program, the DNP program will prepare the student for the highest level of clinical nursing practice. The DNP graduate will:

1. Integrate the science and theory of nursing practice with scientific and theoretical knowledge from other disciplines to improve nursing practice and patient outcomes.
2. Integrate knowledge of effective communication and leadership skills based on professional standards to work as an effective member of an inter-professional team in the provision of safe, high quality, patient-centered care.
3. Demonstrate the appropriate and ethical use of information technology and research methods to improve practice and the practice environment.

Application terms and deadlines

Before an applicant’s file can be reviewed for full program admission, all application documents must be received in Graduate Admissions by the semester deadlines listed below. Currently, students are admitted for the fall semester only.

• July 15 for the fall semester

Readmission and program transfer

Requests for readmission and program transfers must be completed and approved prior to the beginning of a semester.

International application deadlines

International applications are reviewed for fall and winter admission only. To ensure adequate time for review, international applications must be completed at least six months before the desired date of intended enrollment in the University. All international application materials must be submitted by May 1 for fall admission. 

International applicants:  International applications are reviewed for fall admission only. To ensure adequate time for review, international applications must be completed at least six months before the desired date of intended enrollment to the University. All international application materials must be submitted by May 1 for fall admission.

Application requirements

To be considered for graduate admission, applicants must submit all of the following university and program application documents by the published application deadlines.

University graduate application requirements

• Online Application for Admission to Graduate Study     
• Official transcripts providing evidence of an earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited U.S. institution, OR a degree equivalent to a four-year U.S. baccalaureate degree from a college or university of government-recognized standing.
• Official transcripts for all post-secondary educational institutions from which the applicant earned a degree (beginning with the first baccalaureate) and for all enrollment in graduate-level coursework beyond the bachelor’s degree. International university transcripts must be evaluated by a professional credential evaluation service.
  • As part of the admission requirements, graduate programs may require official transcripts from post-secondary educational institutions from which the applicant earned an associate’s degree and all enrollment in coursework both pre- and post-bachelor’s degree.
• Two official and original Recommendation for Graduate Admission forms.
  (Note: Some programs require more than two recommendation forms. Refer to the program application requirements listed below for the total number of recommendations and specific requirements for the recommendations.)
• Proof of English language proficiency

• International supplemental application and supporting documentation must be submitted before international applicants can be issued the Certification of Eligibility (I-20). This certificate is required to apply for a student visa from the U.S. embassy or consulate.    

Program application requirements

• Completion of a master’s degree in nursing in a clinical area (includes nursing administration but not nursing education) from an institution accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education with a graduate cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or above.
• Proof of current certification in their specialty area.
• Applicants who have a master’s degree in nursing education can apply to the DNP program, but will first have to complete the academic requirements of a post-master’s certificate in an advanced practice specialty, and pass the respective certification exam.
• Proof of Practicum Experience
  • DNP applicants must provide evidence of how many clinical practicum hours they completed in their master’s educational programs. Students may receive credit for up to 640 clock hours of practicum accrued in their master’s program (you may not count unsupervised post-graduate clinical practice). Clinical practicum hours are assessed individually for each applicant.
  • DNP applicants must submit a completed Validation of Supervised Clinical Practice Hours form found in School of Nursing Supplemental Application.
• Copy of unrestricted license to practice as a Registered Nurse in one of the 50 states or U.S. Territories.
• Supplemental Application-Doctor of Nursing Practice Program
• Requirements for recommendations:
  Both recommendations must be from professionals and must include at least one from an advanced practice nursing colleague familiar with the applicant.
• Written goal statement of 500 to 1,000 words. The goal statement should focus on the applicant’s professional experiences as an advanced practice nurse, how the DNP will enhance the applicant’s professional development, and the applicant’s career goals following completion of the program. The goal statement will be evaluated on many areas, including content and appropriate use of grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc. The goal statement should be written on a word-processer in size 12 Times New Roman font.
• Individual interview with a School of Nursing faculty member.

Admission review and assessment

Admission to graduate study at Oakland University is selective. In making admission recommendations to Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning, each department assesses the potential of applicants for success in the program by examining their undergraduate records, goal statement, letters of recommendation, prerequisite courses and any other admission requirements established by the academic department.