The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a terminal degree in nursing. The DNP is not a research-focused degree, but a clinically-focused degree designed to improve patient outcomes. The program competencies are supported by the completion of core classes that are designed to help the student exit the program practicing as an expert clinician. These practitioners are also prepared to be leaders in industry, designed to advocate for targeted change to improve the healthcare environment. Although this degree is not targeted to develop clinicians that contribute to original research, they will be prepared to interpret quantitative research studies and synthesize the evidence for its relevance to improving patient outcomes. Specialized emphasis includes: (1) Practice that supports patient care and supports patient outcomes; (2) Leaders on interdisciplinary teams; (3) and the ability to apply leadership and systematic thinking to ensure accountability for quality of healthcare and patient safety.
In the Doctoral Program in Nursing Practice there are two specialty tracks:
Professional Practice Track Credits: 39
Systems Leadership Track Credits: 39-69
The Professional Practice Track is designed for advanced practice nurses with a master’s degree or post-master’s certificate who have successfully passed the national nurse practitioner certification exam. The curriculum includes content which prepares graduates to function in leadership and management roles, conduct complex diagnostic and treatment modalities, utilize informatics to enhance clinical decision-making, and critically evaluate scholarly research.
Systems Leadership Track is designed to offer masters prepared nurses an opportunity to progress to the terminal degree of DNP with a leadership focus. This specialty track will equip nurse leaders with the knowledge and skills to lead complex and ever-changing organizations and health care systems.
There are 3 points of entry for the Systems Leadership track. Those who present to the program with a Masters degree in nursing and are currently practicing as an advanced practice nurse (APRN), those with a Masters degree in nursing not licensed as an APRN or those who hold a baccalaureate degree in nursing with a Masters degree in another discipline (i.e. MBA, MPH, MHA).
Graduates of our DNP program will be prepared to become nurse leaders in interdisciplinary health care teams and work to improve systems of care, patient outcomes, quality and safety. Our program format offers flexibility to accommodate nurses’ work schedules and family commitments.
Program Outcomes
- Applies scientific theories of health, illness, and human behavior to strategies and interventions.
- Lead in the vision, development, implementation, and evaluation of care delivery approaches that ensure ethical stewardship, accountability, quality, and patient safety.
- Translate evidence-based research into practice.
- Integrates new knowledge and technology in advanced practice, administration, and education to improve patient outcomes.
- Serve as a leader in the development, implementation, and evaluation of healthcare policy to advance the nursing profession and to advocate for social justice, equity and ethical policies in all aspects of healthcare.
- Provide leadership in collaborative efforts among health professionals and with clients and community partners.
- Synthesizes scientific information related to the health of diverse populations to reduce health disparities in urban, rural, and global settings and to transform care delivery systems to prevent illness and optimize health.
- Apply advanced clinical judgment and accountability in the design, delivery, and evaluation of evidence-based care to individuals, families and populations.
- Demonstrate mastery of professional competencies consistent with the Doctor of Nursing Practice.
General Program Requirements
To satisfy program requirements, each student must meet the following criteria:
- Maintain a minimum of a “B” in all course work and practicums;
- Submit a scholarly project to be approved by the DNP faculty committee;
- Maintain continuous enrollment until the scholarly project is completed;
- Complete course work and scholarly project leading to final presentation and faculty approval;
- Complete all program requirements and the scholarly project within seven years from the first semester of enrollment. To continue in the program past seven years requires the student to apply for an extension that includes a timeframe for completion of all requirements, and the expected date of graduation.
Admission Requirements
An applicant for the doctorate must meet the following specific requirements:
Potential candidates for the Professional Practice Track should hold a current Master’s Degree from an Accredited School of Nursing, as well as a current unencumbered APRN license and certificate of National Certification in Advanced Practice Nursing. The Systems Leadership track applicant must have a Masters Degree in Nursing or a Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing, a current unencumbered RN License and an earned Masters Degree in another discipline. Students with a Baccalaureate in Nursing and a Masters degrees in another discipline will be evaluated on an individual basis and “bridge” from their Masters degree to the DNP. There is no exit option at the masters level.
Application Procedure
The items below must be submitted by the applicant to the Office of Graduate Admissions, Rivier University, 420 South Main St, Nashua, NH 03060:
The following items should be submitted to the admissions office to be considered for admission to the program:
- A copy of official transcripts of all post-secondary education.
- Two (2) recommendation letters in sealed envelopes. One letter must be from a direct supervisor or professional who can address your clinical expertise and leadership potential. The second letter may also be a professional recommendation or else a recent academic instructor who may address your professional strengths as a student. These letters should be submitted in sealed envelopes, or else emailed directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions via parcel post or email with your name (students name) being considered for admission in the subject line.
- A copy of your unencumbered, active advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) or registered nurse license (RN) for the systems leadership track in the state where practicums will be conducted
- A scholarly essay that identifies a specific health care issue that could be the basis of your DNP scholarly project. Discuss this issue as it relates to ONE of the eight Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice as recognized by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. This should be 2-3 pages doubles spaced using APA formatting and citing professional references.
- An updated resume or CV.
- Evidence of a completed graduate level statistics course.
- Documentation of the number of supervised clinical hours completed in previous Master’s in Nursing program. (Must be a minimum of 500 hours for the Professional Practice Track, this not a requirement for the Systems Leadership Track) Note: Rivier University graduates need not provide documentation as we have access to this information.
- Graduate GPA of 3.2 or better on a 4.0 scale. Candidates with less than a 3.2 GPA meeting the above criteria may be considered after interviewing / video chat with Doctoral Nursing Faculty
Transfer Credits
At the time of admission, the applicant may transfer up to nine (9) post-graduate credits at the 500 level or above into the doctoral program provided that (a) the transferred credits were earned at an accredited college or university; (b) a grade of “B” or better is earned in all courses for which transfer is requested; (c) the course(s) were completed within the past 10 years (except Graduate level stats class -3 years). The applicant identifies the course(s) to be transferred and specifies the ways in which the course(s) are consistent with their doctoral program of study and related to the content or research methods associated with their doctoral study. The program director or divisional dean must review and approve the transfer request.
Doctoral Degree Requirements (39-69 credits)
- Professional Practice Track 39 credits
- Systems Leadership Track 39-69 credits depending on the point of entry into the program and the number of supervised practicum hours accrued in the master’s program.
The total credit hours required for the Doctorate in Nursing Program (DNP) Professional Practice Track will be thirty-nine (39) credits. Graduates of Rivier University who successfully completed the Quality Health Care Improvement Course (NSG601), Advanced Health Policy (NSG610) as part of their studies in the master’s degree program will be recognized and awarded these six credits towards the total of thirty-nine credits.
The total credit hours required for the Doctorate in Nursing Program (DNP) Systems Leadership Track will be thirty-nine to sixty-nine (39-69) credits. Graduates of Rivier University who successfully completed the Quality Health Care Improvement Course (NSG601), Advanced Health Policy (NSG610), or Compliance and Risk Management in Healthcare Settings (BUS 654) as part of their studies in the master’s degree program will be recognized and awarded these nine credits towards the total number of credits needed.
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