The Catholic University of America

1. The Catholic University of America Doctor of Nursing Practice DNP

2. What is a DNP? • A doctoral degree in nursing that is practice focused rather than the research focused PhD. • It is viewed as a final (terminal)degree. • Focus is on clinical practice that is innovative and evidence-based, bringing research findings into practice.

3. Why the DNP? • The AACN has recommended that by the year 2015, all APRNs ( NPs, CNS, CNM, NA) be educated in DNP programs that prepare practice experts in specialized advanced nursing practice ……and that, in the future, the MSN degree be reserved for clinical nurse generalists. • This is a recommendation (not a mandate).

4. Why? • Expansion of knowledge necessary to be an excellent APRN in changing health care system is growing beyond what can reasonably be taught in an MSN program. • Necessary credit allocation warrants a doctoral degree. • To bring nursing specialties “up to par” with other health care providers.

5. Reactions • Varied but general support from other nursing organizations. • There is no plan to require that currently certified and licensed NPs return to school for a DNP. • However, for those NPs who would like a doctoral degree, the DNP holds great appeal.

6. Standards for DNP Programs • AACN – focuses on Essentials of Doctoral Nursing Practice for all APRN roles • NONPF – focuses on DNP competencies for nurse practitioners. • Great similarity between the two sets of standards.

7. Expected Content Areas • Evidence Based Practice • Epidemiology • Population Health • Leadership • Health Care Finance/Economics • Emerging Science or Practice Innovations • Residency ( Integration) • EBP Project

8. There is great variability in DNP Programs

9. Catholic University of America’s DNP • Purpose is to prepare …… • Expert Clinicians and Leaders • Graduates are ready to assume positions of leadership in health care with the ultimate goal of improving health care and health status of people.

10. Not all DNP Programs are the Same! • A national survey asked practicing NPs what they would like to learn if they returned to school for a doctoral degree: over 50% identified specific clinical skills, such as those that would round out current areas of perceived weakness……. • More knowledge and skills in radiology, wound care, cardiology; sports medicine, spirometry, etc etc. – things they identified as important to feeling like “clinical experts.” • Fewer identified the content found in the traditional coursework found in most DNP programs.

11. CUA created a DNP Program that would meet the individualized needs of students based on their own professional goals while also meeting the standards.

12. What is Different at CUA? • CUA’s program is uniquely planned to allow NPs to use the DNP program to expand or refine their clinical skills. • NPs may choose two clinical cognates and a residency to allow them to expand their scope of practice and/or sit for further certification or add a specialty.

13. Some examples • While earning the DNP …… • A primary care PNP may choose pediatric acute care courses to sit for certification as an acute care PNP • An ANP may add courses to enable her/him to sit for certification as an FNP. • A CNS may choose cognates that will allow her to add the NP role.

14. More Examples • A midwife is seeing more and more patients with mental health needs with few referral resources. She has decided to take a Psychopharmacology course and another in Brief Solution Focused Counseling or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to better prepare her for her clients with depression. • A PNP is using coursework and residency to become lactation certified with plans to open her own lactation consultation business.

15. Other examples • One NP wants to open her own wound care consulting business upon completion. She will take cognates and do a residency to prepare her with added clinical skills in this area as well as the business skills. • Another NP has been unable to be added to the panel of a managed care group because she is not prepared to “admit patients.” Her coursework will be focused on acquiring this knowledge and skills.

16. More examples • Other arenas for practice also exist, including policy and public health. • A student is looking at an internship with a state legislator working on a health care mandate. • Another may work with a global health organization around an AIDs initiative

17. CUA’ Executive Format DNP Post-Master’s- 34 credits Primarily taught in an Executive Format: • Students meet with faculty for 2-3 days in beginning of semester on campus and again at the end of the semester. In between classes are online and web enhanced.

18. CUA’s DNP • Full or Part Time Options • Year-Round courses available • Full time- 15 months • Part Time – 24 months • Most current students work full time and take courses part time. • Small classes – ideal faculty to student ratio

19. More Specifics re CUA’s DNP • Faculty are all actively practicing and experts in the content area they teach. For example, the faculty member for EBP Is Director of Research at a large multi-centered health agency. The faculty member who teaches Leadership and Complex Health Organizations is employed in a top leadership position at FDA. • The Epidemiology course is taught by DrPH/NP with significant field experience in Central America and global nutrition • Health Care Finance is taught by an nurse with international expertise in health services and policy analysis. • Students are encouraged to work with outside mentors/experts across the disciplines.

20. Advice to NPs considering the DNP • This will probably be the last formal education program you enroll in. • A DNP is more than a degree to add to your resume. • Yes, a doctorate may be valuable in itself for some positions……But it can be so much more! • Make sure it puts you in a position to meet your own professional goals.

21. Specifics regarding CUA’s DNP • For more information, call: • 202 319-6536 or • hppt://nursing.cua.edu.graduate/DNP