DNP Handbook - General Information

INTRODUCTION

This student handbook is designed for graduate students enrolled in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Consortium Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program. The DNP program provides masters prepared nurses with opportunities for practice–based doctoral education. The DNP Program is taught by the graduate nursing faculty and advanced practice nurses and leaders from the associated clinical facilities of:

• Metropolitan State University
• Minnesota State University, Mankato
• Minnesota State University Moorhead
• Winona State University

The development of the DNP Program was motivated by the increased complexity of today’s health care environment and the national call for improved preparation of nurse leaders in advanced nursing practice.

The DNP Program features a plan of study that:

• Builds upon the previous masters education of nurses currently practicing in a variety of advanced roles (e.g., nurse administrator, nurse educator, clinical nurse specialist, nurse anesthetist, nurse practitioner, nurse midwife).
• Emphasizes leadership in advanced practice, preparation for research utilization/translation of research to practice, and doctoral level clinical experiences in evidence–based practice, quality improvement, and organization/systems thinking.
• Is structured around the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice, and focuses upon the development of skills and knowledge needed for increasingly complex roles in practice, teaching, andleadership.
• Provides five semesters of doctoral level didactic and clinical coursework utilizing a variety of approaches, including distance learning technologies, that facilitate access for students in remote areas while providing opportunities for discussions and clinical experiences with advanced nursing leaders and experts throughout Minnesota and the nation.

Doctoral Education in Nursing (Research or Practice Focus)

The DNP is an alternative for doctoral education that is new to Minnesota and many parts of the United States. Traditionally, doctoral level education in nursing has been specific research and theory based Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Doctor of Nursing Science to the more (DNS, DSN, or DNSc) programs. AACN (2006) provides the following description of the differences between the practice based DNP and the traditional research focused PhD., DNS, or DNSc:

“Research–and practice–focused doctoral programs in nursing share rigorous and demanding expectations, a scholarly approach to the discipline, and a commitment to advancement of the profession. Both are terminal degrees in the discipline, one in practice and one in research. However, there are distinct differences between the two degree programs. For example, practice–focused programs understandably place greater emphasis on practice, and less emphasis on theory, meta–theory and research methodology and statistics than is apparent in esearch–focused programs.”

“Practice–focused doctoral programs are designed to prepare experts in specialized advanced nursing practice. They focus heavily on practice that is innovative and evidence–based, reflecting the application of credible research findings. The two types of doctoral programs differ in their goals and the competencies of their graduates.”

AACN. (2006, November 13). The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice. Retrieved from http://www.aacn.nche.edu on October 12, 2007.

DNP Student Learning Outcomes

Based on the AACN Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice (2006), five student learning outcomes are expected for the DNP program. These are the ability to:

1. Evaluate scientific underpinnings that contribute to translation of nursing research to improve practice.
2. Evaluate nursing actions that influence health care outcomes for individuals, families, and populations.
3. Use knowledge gained through evaluation of nursing actions that influence health outcomes to improve care delivery, patient outcomes, and systems management.
4. Evaluate evidence pertaining to direct care of patients and management of care forindividuals, families, systems, and populations.
5. Translate evidence gained through evaluation of direct care of patients and management of care for individuals, families, systems, and populations to improve practice and implement health policy.

DNP Consortium Overview

The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities DNP Consortium structure is unique in the country. Figure I depicts the management structure of the DNP Consortium. The governance and activities of the DNP Consortium are conducted through two councils. The Program Management Council (PMC) is comprised of four graduate nursing faculty members (one from each of the parent institutions) and four graduate nursing program leaders (one from each of the four parent institutions). Each parent institutions has one alternate PMC member. The PMC is responsible for:

1. Monitoring the day–to–day activities of the DNP program
2. Advocating for student support and student services
3. Advertising and promoting student recruitment for the DNP program
4. Coordinating the DNP program immersion at the beginning of each academic year
5. Recommending students for admission to the DNP program
6. Listening to DNP student grievances and appeals
7. Advising DNP students and evaluating DNP student progress
8. Developing, delivering, and evaluating the DNP program curriculum
9. Taking action on recommendations from the CC regarding committees/work groups/task forces
10. Providing direction to project committees/work groups/task forces recommended by the CC
11. Evaluating student outcomes and providing recommendations to the CC
12. Investigating and/or providing written reports to the CC on issues or problems related to the operation of the DNP program
13. Evaluating the program and providing reports to the CC
14. Organizing and calling the meetings of the DNP community Advisory Board, and
15. Developing, evaluating, and revising the By–Laws of the DNP Consortium.

The Consortium Council (CC) is comprised of two academic administration representatives from the parent institutions. The Chairperson of the PMC and a representative from the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Office of the Chancellor are Ex Officio members of this committee. The CC is responsible for:

1. Approving policies and procedures for the DNP Consortium
2. Making financial decisions regarding the DNP program
3. Approving of the membership of the PMC and revoking membership on the PMC
4. Facilitating DNP program access to student services (e.g., computing services, library services, financial aid, graduate college admissions, registration, distance learning technology)
5. Approving the By-Laws of the DNP Consortium
6. Assuring that the terms of the DNP Consortium are adhered to by the members, and
7. Interfacing with the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Office of the Chancellor

DNP Program Contact Persons

The Chairperson of the PMC for the 2007 – 2008 academic year is Sue Ellen Bell PhD, APRN, BC. A graduate faculty member at Minnesota State University, Mankato, she can be contacted directly at sue.bell@mnsu.edu or 507.389.6814. Tim Gaspar RN, PhD, is the Chairperson of the CC for the 2007 – 2008 academic year. He can be contacted at tgaspar@winona.edu or 507.457.5122.

The following persons are the contact persons at the DNP Consortium institutions:

• Metropolitan State University; Contact Person – Marilyn Loen (marilyn.loen@metrostate.edu), Phone 651.793.1376
• Minnesota State University, Mankato; Contact Person – Sue Ellen Bell (sue.bell@mnsu.edu), Phone 507.389.1317
• Minnesota StateUniversity Moorhead; Contact Person – Jane Giedt (giedt@mnstate.edu), Phone 218.477.4699
• Winona State University; Contact Person – William McBreen (wmcbreen@winona.edu) Phone 507.285.7489

Additional information and updates about the DNP Consortium and the DNP program can be found in the following locations:

1. The Graduate Nursing Program Brochures for each of the DNP Consortiuminstitutions
2. The Graduate Student Catalog/Bulletin for each of the DNP Consortium institutions
3. The Graduate Colleges of each of the DNP Consortium institutions, and
4. The School of Nursing website for each of the DNP Consortium institutions