Doctor of Nursing Practice in Clinical Leadership

Learn to improve patient outcomes and translate research into practice with our Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Clinical Leadership program. The DNP curriculum is designed around evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and systems leadership. The DNP is a practice-based terminal degree, offering an alternative to a research-focused doctoral degree program. Graduates may pursue roles in which they are responsible for managing nursing staff, teaching undergraduates, or as part of a team implementing best practices in patient care or reviewing health policy initiatives.

 

Program Information

The Doctor of Nursing Practice in Clinical Leadership is a two-year program to prepare nurses for leadership roles by focusing on evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and systems leadership.

Program Type

Major

Degree

Doctorate

School

School of Nursing

Duration

2 years

Required Credit Hours

35

Admissions

Admission Requirements

To qualify for our online Clinical Leadership DNP, you must:

  • Hold a current, unencumbered RN license.
  • Hold a BSN degree (required) from an accredited college or university with a 3.0 GPA or higher.
  • Hold a master’s degree (nursing or non-nursing) from an accredited college or university with a 3.0 GPA or higher. MSN degree preferred.
  • Have completed an undergraduate statistics course with a “C” or higher or graduate statistics course with a “B” or higher.

Note: Strong leadership experience is preferred.

Admission Process

  • Resume or curriculum vitae
  • Goal statement (2-3 pages)
  • Official transcript(s)
  • An interview may be required
  • Three reference letters. Recommendations should be from persons who can comment on the applicant’s professional or academic abilities.
  • Examples:
    • One Supervisory and two Academic (Nursing Professor/Nursing Preceptor)
    • Two Supervisory and one Academic (Nursing Professor/Nursing Preceptor)
    • Or three Supervisory if you have been out of school for more than five years
    • The supervisor reference letters must come from a direct supervisor who is responsible for your performance evaluation

Curriculum

View Course Descriptions
In many respects, the DNP degree is what makes nurses effective managers. DNP coursework trains advanced practice nurses in the skills needed to work as clinical healthcare leaders. The increasing complexities in the healthcare system — from the growing concerns about patient safety to the increase in chronic conditions — make practice expertise essential to population health.

The DNP, a practice-focused degree, prepares nurses for leadership in a clinical setting. While earning the degree, nurses study a wide variety of topics, including transcultural care and global health perspectives, social justice and vulnerable populations and analytical methods of evidence-based practice.
  • GPNS 948 Evidence Based Practice – Translation of Research to Practice (50 Hours) (3 credits)
  • GPNS 969: Analytical Methods for Evidence Based Practice (50 Hours) (3 credits)
  • GPNS 920: Health Care Policy (3 credits)
  • GPNS 979: Analytical Methods – Healthcare Program Evaluation and Analysis (50 Hours) (3 credits)
  • GPNS 977 Transcultural Health and Global Healthcare Delivery (3 credits)
  • GPNG 978: Social Justice and Preventing Vulnerable Populations (3 credits)
  • GPNS 908: Evidence Based Practice – Leading Change Management (50 Hours) (3 credits)
  • GPNS 906: Healthcare Informatics (50 Hours) (3 credits)
  • GPNS 980: Doctor of Nursing Practice Practicum I: Implementation (Up to 350 Hours) (4 credits)
  • GPNS 981: Doctor of Nursing Practice Practicum II: Evaluation (Up to 350 Hours) (4 credits)
  • GPNS 976: Ethical Leadership in Management and Healthcare (3 credits)