Nursing Practice, DNP

Melissa R. Penkalski, Graduate Program Director
Kampeter Health Sciences Hall, Room 301, Phone, 417-836-8374
MelissaPenkalski@missouristate.edu

Program Description

The School of Nursing Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is designed to prepare graduates for advanced nursing practice. Our community-based DNP program will graduate nursing leaders who have the knowledge and skills to address the health disparities of vulnerable populations, including rural. The program will prepare graduates to function in a variety of community and acute care health settings as primary care providers, leaders, managers, educators, and consultants.

Program Options

• The BSN to DNP program is an 79 credit hour program that will prepare graduates to practice in the family nurse practitioner role (FNP). The program consists of both online and on-campus courses. The student is required to hold licensure as a registered nurse and complete FNP clinical rotations in Missouri. The program can be completed in three (3) years of full-time study. Part-time study is an option for the first year of the BSN to DNP program.
• The Post-Master’s (PM) DNP Program is a 29 credit hour (minimum) online program for nurses with a Master’s in Nursing degree. The online program can be completed with full-time study in 5 semesters, or in part-time study.
• PM DNP applicants without a clinical focus in their master’s degree program will need to complete the Post-Master’s Population Health Certificate program prior to admission into the DNP program.
• PM DNP applicants who have some clinical hours but do not meet the minimum 500 clinical contact hours required will complete the PM DNP Bridge program. An individualized plan of study will be developed to ensure completion of required postbaccalaureate clinical hours before full admission into the DNP program.

Accreditation

The Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Missouri State University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education: www.aacnnursing.org/CCNE.

DNP Application Process

1. Submit an application to NursingCAS with all required documentation, including transcripts and references. Verified applications will be reviewed beginning January 1 for fall admission.
2. Submit the School of Nursing application fee via the link provided in NursingCAS application or pay application fee online through the Missouri State CashNET service. The application fee does not guarantee acceptance into the desired program of your choosing.
3. Submit evidence of graduation from a Bachelor of Science (BSN) program that is nationally accredited by a recognized accrediting organization for the BSN-DNP program. Graduates from international nursing programs or non-accredited programs will be considered on an individual basis.
4. Submit evidence of graduation from a Master of Science (MSN) program that is nationally accredited by are cognized accrediting organization for Post-Master’s DNP. Graduates from international nursing programs or non-accredited programs will be considered on an individual basis.
5. Submit proof of licensure as a registered nurse (RN) without disqualification and eligible for licensure in the state in which clinical practicums will be completed. Post-Master’s Advanced Nursing Practice nurses must submit a copy of their certification in their area of Advanced Nursing Practice.
6. Submit transcripts of all completed academic coursework. Post-Master’s applicants must have a cumulative GPA of all previous graduate-level education coursework of 3.25 (on a 4.00 scale), BSN to DNP applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 3.25 for the last 60 hours of coursework attempted. Students who have less than a 3.25 GPA must submit verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing scores on the Graduate Record Examination General Test (GRE) (minimum Verbal: 150; Quantitative: 145; Analytical Writing: 3.5).
7. Submit proof of completion of all prerequisite courses. BSN to DNP requires: undergraduate human pathophysiology, nursing research, and health assessment courses with a grade of “C” or higher. In addition, healthcare informatics and graduate-level inferential statistics with a grade of “B-” or higher. Post-Master’s requires: graduate human pathophysiology, graduate health assessment, graduate pharmacology, graduate epidemiology, graduate-level inferential statistics, and healthcare informatics, with a grade of “B-” or higher before the program begins. Admission will be contingent on the student completing prerequisite courses prior to enrolling in DNP courses. Applicants may contact the School of Nursing to get assistance with accessing any necessary prerequisite coursework that has not been completed.
8. Submit evidence of completed clinical practice experience that equates with one year minimum (two or more preferred) of full-time experience. Exceptions considered on individual basis.
9. Meet the School of Nursing technical standards of the DNP program to successfully undertake the course of study (available by request from the program).
10. Be prepared to meet the technical and technology proficiency requirement for online courses (available by request from the School of Nursing).

Additional Requirements of the Program

Following admission to the program:

1. Post-Master’s applicants must submit completed Verification of Postbaccalaureate Clinical Practice Hours form.
2. Payment of a clinical tracking fee. See the School of Nursing website for a full list of program costs.
3. Apply and pay for the state/federal Background Check and receive response that the applicant has not been convicted of any crime pursuant to Section 660.317 RSMO or other disqualifications that would prohibit licensure as a registered nurse or completion of clinical experience.
4. Pay for and complete a urine drug screen without disqualifying results.
5. Submit proof of current professional liability insurance (limit $1,000,000/aggregate $6,000,000). For BSN to DNP students, the current professional liability insurance must be specifically for NP Student Liability.
6. Submit evidence of current health insurance.
7. Submit evidence of current American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) Online didactic course and written test are available for a fee for those students who need to recertify at http://www.OnlineAHA.org. No online skills testing will be accepted.
8. Submit evidence of current immunization or immune status (MMR, Tetanus, Varicella, Hepatitis B series) and a PPD or T-Spot (or documentation of appropriate follow up for PPD positive results).
9. Initiate and pay for any additional security checks and drug screenings required for placement into agencies for clinical experiences. Some agencies require annual screening and affidavits.

Retention Requirements

To remain in the DNP program, the students must:

1. Maintain a GPA of 3.00, with no more than one course with a grade of “C”, and no course with a grade of “D” or lower. Receive a “pass” in all clinical evaluations.
2. Complete all coursework within five academic years after admission into the DNP program. Continuous enrollment in the BSN-DNP program is required once FNP clinical courses are initiated.
3. Demonstrate acceptable levels of maturity and integrity, as well as behaviors and attitudes normally expected of professional nurses in advanced nursing roles.
4. Demonstrate acceptable professional progression in application of skills and knowledge in the Nurse Educator Certificate program.
5. Maintain current American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life (BLS) certification, RN licensure, health and professional liability insurance, and all immunizations required by clinical agencies throughout the program.
6. Notify the School of Nursing within five (5) days in the event of any legal infractions or any actions taken against their nursing license, or any investigation of such incidences.

While the student’s grades are important, retention in the DNP program considers the composite profile of a student’s ability to perform at a satisfactory level in the academic and clinical component of the educational program.

The School of Nursing reserves the right to refuse enrollment or program continuation to any student. This refusal will be determined by the judgment of the DNP Program Director, the Graduate Admission, Progression, and Graduation (APG) Committee and the Director of the School of Nursing and based on the student’s ability to successfully complete academic or clinical assignments or function effectively in the roles required in the DNP program. This includes the demonstration of characteristics associated with a professional nurse, including behaviors involving professionalism, ethics and integrity.

Technological Requirements

The Missouri State University BSN to DNP Program uses a combination of online and on-campus modalities. Didactic online content may be delivered using asynchronous and synchronous formats. Applicants to the DNP program must be proficient using online learning management systems, word processing, spreadsheet management, and presentation graphics software. Students are expected to be able to manage files, navigate the internet, access resources, locate scholarly references from the library, and use a headset/microphone, computer camera, scanner and fax machine. Students who have deficiencies in these areas must seek training before the start of the program.

The School of Nursing uses a Blackboard course management system for all courses. Additionally, web conferencing software is used for synchronous course offerings and other experiences. Specific information on web conferencing software used in class will be provided in the course syllabus. Access to a personal computer/laptop with broadband/high speed internet connections, a web camera, and a head set with microphone are required.

Clinical Experiences

Clinical FNP experiences for BSN to DNP students are individually arranged with preceptors, who have the appropriate educational and experiential qualifications. Students can complete their clinical experiences in their local community if sites and preceptors are approved by the School of Nursing. However, students should plan to travel outside of the local community for clinical experiences. All clinical sites and preceptors must be approved in advance by the FNP Program Coordinator and a contract must be established with the clinical site before any clinical experiences occur.

Requirements on Campus

BSN to DNP students are required to be on campus for seated classes a minimum of one day a week, with potential for additional days depending on requirements of the course.

Post-Master’s DNP students are required to be on campus a minimum of one to two times during the program. The date and times for these on-campus visits will be published annually, prior to the start of the academic year.