MSN/MHP to DNP - Public Health Policy

Graduates of the DNP program will:

1. Integrate nursing science with multiple disciplines to positively influence health status of individuals, groups, and populations from a holistic perspective.
2. Exemplify organizational leadership and systems thinking through quality improvement, political skills, legal/ethical practices, and business insight minimizing health disparities and promoting health equity to provide safe, patient-centered care to current and future patient populations.
3. Improve clinical practice through translational research, clinical scholarship, and dissemination of evidence-based practice using information technology and systematic research methods.
4. Build upon existing information systems and patient care technology to drive decision-making for the improvement and transformation of health care while applying ethical, legal, and regulatory standards.
5. Appraise health care policy through advocacy to promote social justice and equity in order to positively influence health care practice.
6. Lead in the practice environment through effective communication skills, shared decision-making, and interprofessional collaboration to maximize patient and population health outcomes.
7. Evaluate health care delivery models and community-based programs aimed at clinical prevention and population health to enhance equitable outcomes.
8. Advance the identity of nursing through personal accountability, reflection, adaptability, life-long learning, and self-care to sustain health and the profession.

American Association of Colleges of Nursing (2021). Essentials of doctoral education for advanced nursing practice. American Association of Colleges of Nursing.

Transfer Courses - NMC MSN Program PDF 

• Spring Start Plan - Full Time (2 years) and Part Time (3 years)
• Fall Start Plan - Full Time (2 years) and Part Time (3 years)

• American Association of Colleges of Nursing
• American Nurses Association
• Listing of National & International Nursing Organizations

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a practice doctorate for nurses.  It represents the highest level of academic preparation for nursing practice.

What is the difference between a PhD and a DNP?

The DNP curriculum emphasizes advanced nursing practice and building leaders in practice, education, and management whereas the PhD curriculum emphasizes the research process and dissemination of results.  Both DNP and PhD  graduates work together to shape nursing practice based on evidence based care.

Why is the DNP degree desired?

Nursing practice is influenced by the rapid expansion of knowledge, increased patient complexity, demands for quality of care and patient safety, and need for nursing personnel and faculty who have the highest level of educational preparation.  Graduates of DNP programs will function as nursing leaders that advance clinical practice to improve health systems and outcomes for diverse patients, patient groups, populations and communities.  DNP graduates will have the skills necessary to translate nursing research into practice.  The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) identifies the need for nursing education to meet the demands of an increasingly complex healthcare system and recommends the DNP as the terminal degree for advanced practice nurses.

What is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)?

According to the American Nurses Association:

"APRNs include nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists, and nurse midwives, and all play a pivotal role in the future of healthcare. APRNs are often primary care providers and are at the forefront of providing preventive care services to the public.

APRNs treat and diagnose illnesses, advise the public on health issues, manage chronic disease, and engage in continuous education to remain ahead of any technological, methodological, or other developments in the field. APRNs hold at least a Master's degree, in addition to the initial nursing education and licensing required for all Registered Nurses (RNs)."

Will this program prepare me for any of the APRN roles?

The BSN to DNP program at Nebraska Methodist College graduates APRNs who are ready to function as Family Nurse Practitioners (FNP), Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioners or Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialists (AG-CNS).   

The APRN to DNP curriculum allows practicing advanced practice nurses to attain a terminal degree in nursing. 

Why choose a DNP over master’s-level preparation?

Ongoing healthcare reform will increase the demand for quality and affordable care for all Americans.  This mandate will create a dramatic need for more primary care providers and the need for more APRNs is expected to escalate.  While many APRNs complete the requirements for advanced practice through a master's (MSN) program, the DNP program offers additional competencies related to organizational leadership, information systems, patient care technology, healthcare policy, interprofessional collaboration and clinical prevention for individuals and populations.

These additional competencies will better prepare the graduate to assume a primary role in meeting the healthcare needs across populations and communities. The DNP provides equity with other discipline's professional doctorate programs (Institute of Medicine, 2011).  The AACN position statement (2004) advocated the transition from specialty nursing practice at the master's level to the DNP.  The target goal for this transition is 2015. See the 2006 report from the DNP Roadmap Task Force (PDF Download).  

Institute of Medicine. (2011). The future of nursing: leading change, advancing health. Washington DC: National Academies Press.  

Is a dissertation required?

No. A hallmark of the practice doctorate is the completion of a scholarly project that demonstrates the synthesis of the DNP role through translational research within a population.  As part of the scholarly project, the student will prepare a manuscript describing the scholarly project and present the project findings.

The program is online, what does that mean?

The DNP program at Nebraska Methodist College will be completed using an online environment that has synchronous and asynchronous components.  Students will complete a large portion of the classwork in an asynchronous environment completing and submitting work online.  Synchronous meeting via a conferencing platform that allows for audio and videochat will be used throughout the semester.  These synchronous meetings will be scheduled for late afternoon/evening hours.

The purpose of our student handbook is to give our students an understanding of the general rules and guidelines for attending and receiving an education at Nebraska Methodist College in the Doctor of Nurse Practice program.

DNP Student Handbook

In preparation for advanced practice nursing roles, students are expected to demonstrate the ability to meet the demands of a professional nursing career. Certain functional abilities are essential for the delivery of safe, effective nursing care.

An applicant to the Doctor of Nursing Practice program must meet the following technical standards and maintain satisfactory demonstration of these standards for progression throughout the program. Students unable to meet these technical standards will not be able to complete the program. Students shall notify faculty of any change in their ability to meet technical standards. The technical standards include but are not necessarily limited to the following:

General Ability
The student is expected to possess functional use of the senses of vision, touch, hearing, and smell so that data received by the senses is integrated, analyzed and synthesized in a consistent and accurate manner. The student is expected to possess the ability to perceive pain, pressure, temperature, position, vibration, and movement in order to effectively evaluate patients. A student must be able to respond promptly to urgent situations.

Observational Ability
The student must have the ability to make accurate visual observations and interpret them in the context of clinical/laboratory activities and patient care experiences. The student must be able to document these observations accurately.

Communication Ability
The student must communicate effectively verbally and non-verbally to obtain information and explain that information to others. Each student must have the ability to read, write, comprehend and speak the English language to facilitate communication with patients, family members, and other members of the healthcare team. The student must be able to document and maintain accurate records, present information in a professional manner and provide patient instruction to effectively care for patients and their families.

Motor Ability
The student must be able to perform gross and fine motor movements with sufficient coordination needed to provide complete physical assessments and provide safe effective care for patients. The student is expected to have psychomotor skills necessary to perform or assist with procedures, treatments, administration of medications, and emergency interventions including CPR if necessary. The student must have sufficient levels of neuromuscular control and eye-to-hand coordination as well as possess the physical and mental stamina to meet the demands associated with extended periods of sitting, standing, moving, and physical exertion required for safe patient care. Students must be able to bend, squat, reach, kneel or balance. Clinical settings may require that students have the ability to carry and lift loads from the floor, from 12 inches from the floor, to shoulder height and overhead. The student must be able to occasionally lift 50 pounds, frequently lift 25 pounds, and constantly lift 10 pounds. The student is expected to be able to maintain consciousness and equilibrium and have the physical strength and stamina to perform satisfactorily in clinical settings.

Intellectual -Conceptual Ability
The student must have the ability to develop problem-solving skills essential to professional nursing practice. Problem solving skills include the ability to measure, calculate reason, analyze, and synthesize objective and subjective data, and to make decisions, in a timely manner that reflect thoughtful deliberation and sound clinical judgment. The student must demonstrate application of these skills and possess the ability to incorporate new information from peers, instructors, and the nursing and healthcare literature to formulate sound judgment to establish care plans and priorities in patient care activities.

Behavioral and Social Attributes
The student is expected to have the emotional stability required to exercise sound judgment, and complete assessment and intervention activities. Compassion, integrity, motivation, and concern for others are personal attributes required of those in the nursing program. The student must fully utilize intellectual capacities that facilitate prompt completion of all responsibilities in the classroom and clinical settings; the development of mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients and other members of the healthcare team. The ability to establish rapport and maintain interpersonal relationships with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural and intellectual backgrounds is critical for practice as a nurse. Each student must be able to adapt to changing environments; display flexibility; accept and integrate constructive criticism given in the classroom and clinical settings; and effectively collaborate in the clinical setting with other members of the healthcare team.

Ability to Manage Stressful Situations
The student must be able to adapt to and function effectively in relation to stressful situations encountered in both the classroom and clinical settings, including emergency situations. Students will encounter multiple stressors while in the nursing program. These stressors may be (but are not limited to) personal, patient care/family, faculty/peer, and or program related.

Background Check/Drug Screening
Clinical facilities require that Nebraska Methodist College perform drug testing and background checks on all students before they are allowed to participate in clinical experiences. Therefore, students will be required to have a background check performed and submit to drug screening before being allowed into clinical practice.