DNP Program Description
WSU-Rochester, 129-136 East Hall (EA), (507.285.7473), Fax: 507.292.5127
Graduate Nursing website
Nursing Chairperson: Jo Stejskal
Graduate Programs in Nursing Director: Sonja J. Meiers (507.536.5671), smeiers@winona.edu
Doctor of Nursing Practice Faculty: D. Forsyth, C. Jenson, W. McBreen, S. Meiers, A. Olson, J. Ponto, C. Scherb, L. Schnepper, Joanne Stejskal, M. Valen,
Diane Forsyth, Professor, Nursing: BSN, Winona State University; MS, University of Wisconsin - Madison; PhD, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, 2006-
Carole Jenson, Assistant Professor, Nursing; BS, Winona State University; MS, Winona State University; DNP, Winona State University; 2009-
William McBreen, Professor, Nursing; BSN, Mount Marty College Yankton, South Dakota; MSN., University of Nebraska Medical Center Omaha; PhD, University of Texas at Austin; 2000-
Sonja J. Meiers, Professor, Nursing; BSN, College of St. Teresa; MS, Winona State University; PhD, University of Minnesota; 2009-
Ann Olson, Professor, Nursing, BS, Winona State University; MA, St. Mary’s University, Winona, MN; MS, Winona State University, Rochester, MN; Ph. D. University of Arizona; 2007-
Julie Ponto, Professor, Nursing, BSN, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities; MS - O.N.C., University California, San Francisco; PhD, University of Utah,2001-
Cindy Scherb, Professor, Nursing; BSN, Mount Mercy College; MS, University of Minnesota; PhD, University of Iowa, 2001-
Lisa Schnepper, Professor, Nursing; BS, Winona State University; MSN., CNP, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire; PhD University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee; 2000-
Joanne Stejskal, Professor, Nursing; BSN, College of Saint Teresa; MSN, University of Wisconsin-Madison; EdD University of St. Thomas; 1975 -
Mieca Valen, Associate Professor, Nursing, BA Augustana College, MSN. South Dakota State University; DNP, Winona State University; 2005-
Graduate Degrees Offered
Master of Science – See Nursing
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Major
Nursing
Accreditation
The Doctor of Nursing Practice program is not currently accredited. Accreditation is scheduled for 2014 through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) One Dupont Circle NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036-1120. Phone: 202.887.6791, American Associate of Colleges of Nursing.
Location
Classes for the Graduate Programs in Nursing DNP program are offered primarily on the Rochester campus with courses offered utilizing a variety of synchronous and asynchronous distance education methods including Internet, ITV, and Internet-based conferencing. View a map of the University Center Rochester campus.
Purpose
The Doctor of Nursing Practice degree at Winona State University educates nurses for advanced nursing practice where change is constant. Students select from the programs of Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist; Family/Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner; Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner; or Nursing and Organizational Leadership. The programs are designed so that each student will be able to:
- Employ evidence-based practice when planning, implementing, and evaluating health care for individuals, families, aggregates, systems, and organizations
- Integrate nursing theory, research, ethics and related sciences into the delivery of culturally competent advanced nursing care for diverse populations and health care systems
- Demonstrate professionalism within an advanced nursing role
- Demonstrate leadership with inter-professional teams to analyze complex practice and organizational issues
- Apply knowledge and skills to enhance the quality and safety of health care in a variety of settings and for a variety of populations
- Demonstrate advanced levels of clinical judgment, systems thinking, and accountability in designing, delivering, and evaluating evidence-based care to improve patient outcomes
Description of Program
This DNP program of study builds upon previous baccalaureate or master’s degrees in nursing. Students begin the DNP program at one of two entry points, either as a post-baccalaureate nursing applicant or a post-master’s degree in nursing applicant. The post-baccalaureate DNP program is built upon the baccalaureate in nursing and is grounded in nursing theory, research, ethics and related sciences to prepare graduates for the highest level of nursing practice through use of advanced clinical judgment informed by sound evidence. The post-master’s DNP program is built upon the master’s degree in nursing that has prepared students according to the essentials of master’s education (AACN, 2011), for direct or indirect care, and in a functional role for master’s level nursing practice. The post-master’s DNP in all areas also builds upon the functional role and adds content and experience in population-based health, evidence-based practice, clinical scholarship, and system level inter-professional leadership of practice change to improve patient health and system outcomes.
Clinical Experiences
Faculty and graduate students in collaboration with the clinical placement coordinator select preceptors in healthcare settings and areas of nursing to meet the students’ individual learning needs. Student experiences commonly occur in hospitals and clinics affiliated with the Mayo Medical Center/Mayo Clinic Health System; North Iowa Mercy Health Center/System in Mason City; Gundersen/Lutheran and Mayo Clinic Health System Franciscan Healthcare in La Crosse; several Minneapolis/St. Paul facilities; and other hospitals, clinics, county public health agencies, senior citizen centers, schools of nursing, and health care agencies from a three-state area.
Admission Requirements
Post-Baccalaureate DNP Admission Requirements
- Baccalaureate degree in nursing from an NLN or CCNE accredited program
- Undergraduate coursework in physical assessment
- Undergraduate courses in nursing research and statistics strongly recommended
- Computer literacy with knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, and data base programs
- Transcripts of past education with a GPA of 3.0 or greater on a 4.0 scale (1 official copy of transcript from each institution attended)
- Students with GPA less than 3.0 will be considered for provisional admission on an individual basis
- Graduate Record Exam (GRE) within the last five years for foreign students
- Minimum one year clinical nursing experience (recommended)
- Evidence of current, unencumbered license as a Registered Nurse, Minnesota licensure required for all clinical courses. Other state license also required for clinical experiences in those states
- Three professional and/or academic references from persons who can comment competently on the applicant’s background and suitability for doctoral study; at least one professional reference should be a person who occupies the student’s chosen program(e.g., nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse administrator/leader). (Post-Master’s DNP candidates submit two references)
- Professional resume
- Statement of professional goals
- Background check (clinical requirement after admissions) (fee assessed)
- Students requesting admission to the Graduate Programs in Nursing may be required to have a personal interview with program faculty
- Satisfactory scores on the TOEFL-test for international or non-English speaking students
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) applicants need to meet additional requirements:
- One year critical care experience (e.g., ICU, ER, ICU/CCU, unit providing high acuity care with fast-paced decision making and complex procedures)
- ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certification
- ECG interpretation course required prior to beginning clinical courses
Post-Master’s DNP Admission Requirements
- Master’s degree from a nationally accredited graduate program in nursing
- Master’s coursework in organizational and systems leadership and nursing information management and decision-making
- Master’s courses in nursing research and statistics strongly recommended
- Computer literacy with knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, and data base programs
- Transcripts of past education with GPA of 3.0 or greater on a 4.0 scale (1 official copy of transcript from each institution attended)
- Graduate Record Exam (GRE) within the last five years for foreign students
- Minimum one year clinical nursing experience in functional master’s level role (recommended)
- Evidence of current unencumbered license as a Registered Nurse. Minnesota licensure required for all clinical courses. Other state license also required for clinical experiences in those states; evidence of national certification as an APRN for NP and CNS applicants. Applicants for the NOL program must have completed a master’s in nursing with a focus in administration/leadership
- Two professional and/or academic references from persons who can comment competently on the applicant’s background and suitability for doctoral study; At least one professional reference should be a person who occupies the student’s chosen role focus (e.g. nurse practitioner, clinical nurses specialist, nurse administrator/leader)
- Professional resume
- Statement of professional goals
- Background check (clinical requirement after admissions) (fee assessed)
- Satisfactory scores on the TOEFL-test for international or non-English speaking students
- Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) applicants need to meet additional requirements:
- One year critical care experience (e.g., ICU, ER, ICU/CCU, unit providing high acuity care with fast-paced decision making and complex procedures)
- ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certification
- ECG interpretation course required prior to beginning clinical courses
- Students may also be asked to participate in a personal interview with Program faculty
Applications May Be Obtained From:
| Graduate Programs in Nursing |
or |
Office of Graduate Studies |
| Winona State University - Rochester |
|
Winona State University |
| 859 30th Avenue SE |
|
PO Box 5838 |
| Rochester, MN 55904 |
|
Winona, MN 55987 |
| (507.285-.7473) or (800.366.5418 x7473) |
|
(507.457.5038) or (800.342.5978 x5038) |
Applications are also available on the Graduate Nursing website.
International students must also contact the International Student Office at (507.457.5303).
Grades
A grade of B is the minimum passing grade for each course. If a student does not receive a minimum grade of a B in any DNP course, the student will not be allowed to progress to the next courses in the plan of study until the course is repeated and completed with a minimum grade of B. Only one course can be repeated, and students are allowed to repeat a course only once during the academic program. If a student is required to repeat a course for academic reasons, a formal request to repeat the course and to continue the program must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies.
Incomplete/In Progress Grades: A grade of incomplete (I) or in progress (IP) may be granted at the discretion of the course instructor and consistent with the institutional grade policy. Students must submit a request for a grade of incomplete prior to the end of the respective course. The uncompleted coursework must be completed and a grade of B or better assigned by the instructor prior to the end of the following semester. Any coursework that remains uncompleted by the end of the following semester will turn to an F grade. The student may not progress into subsequent courses until a satisfactory grade is submitted by the lead instructor. In rare situations, a student might receive an I/IP grade for a clinical course due to delays resulting from the clinical environment. These situations will be negotiated between the student and their advisor. The student may register for subsequent courses and must complete the requirements for all courses within the semester.
Dropping Courses and Withdrawal: Dropping courses in the DNP program is not encouraged since the progression will be delayed. If a student must drop a course, it is important that the student officially drops the course in the course registration system. Otherwise, the course will appear on the student transcript. Any course not officially dropped will be subject to institutional scholastic standards, and the student may receive an F for the course. Each class dropped after the fifth class day will result in a grade of withdrawal or W, which will appear on the student transcript.
Transfer Credits
Transfer of doctoral level courses into the student’s program of study can include coursework that substitutes for required courses or meets the requirements of elective coursework.
Students must submit a formal request for transfer of credits to the Office of Graduate Studies after approval from the student’s academic advisor and Director, Graduate Programs in Nursing. The request must be submitted prior to enrollment in the course and include a course description and syllabus. Final approval of a course to be transferred into the student’s plan of study will be made by the Office of Graduate Studies. Appeals may be directed toward the Office of Graduate Studies and will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
Time Limitation
All degree requirements including DNP credits, transfer credits, and all other program requirements must be completed within seven (7) years prior to the awarding of the degree. Under exceptional extenuating circumstances, a student may submit a petition through their advisor and to the Office of Graduate Studies requesting an extension of the time limitation.
DNP Clinical Scholarship Project Proposal Defense
The student’s defense of the clinical scholarship project proposal serves as the preliminary examination for the DNP program. The members of the DNP Clinical Scholarship Project Committee may ask fundamental and developmental questions, which cover the first year of DNP coursework, at their discretion. This proposal defense is intended to determine if a student is prepared and qualified to begin work on the clinical scholarship project. To be eligible for the proposal and defend the clinical scholarship project proposal, a student must have a DNP Clinical Scholarship Project Committee in place and have completed the first two semesters of doctoral coursework as specified by the plan of study.
The approval/disapproval of the project by the student’s doctoral DNP Clinical Scholarship Project Committee will serve as documentation of the student’s ability to progress in the clinical scholarship project. If a student does not receive approval of the project proposal by the advisory committee, the student must correct any deficiencies and meet again with the DNP Clinical Scholarship Project Committee. Students are allowed to repeat the qualifying exam/proposal defense once. If the student fails to receive approval for the clinical scholarship project after the second attempt, the student is dismissed from the DNP program.
The process for selection of the clinical scholarship project advisor and committee and for development and approval of the proposal is included in the clinical scholarship project guidelines.
IRB Approval for Clinical Scholarship Projects
It is the responsibility of the DNP student to seek guidance from his/her advisor regarding the Institutional Review Board (IRB) procedures for the clinical scholarship project. Generally, IRB approval is required if any human subjects are involved, such as for evaluation of project outcomes. IRB submissions are sent to WSU’s IRB Committee and the agency where the data collection (or project) will occur. Generally, IRB approval is sought following the qualifying examination when the student’s DNP committee has approved the proposal; however, projects may require different data collection timing, so the student should work with the advisor. IRB policies, directions, forms, and examples for consenting are available on the WSU website. All students must complete a Human Subjects education module.
DNP Final Clinical Scholarship Project Defense
The final defense of the clinical scholarship project demonstrates that the student has meet all the requirements and has completed a project reflective of doctoral level academic and clinical work.
Approval of the final defense of the clinical scholarship project by the DNP Clinical Scholarship Project Committee serves as documentation that the student has met all project expectations and is eligible for graduation, once all academic and clinical requirements have been met. If a student does not pass the exam, the student must correct any deficiencies. Students are allowed to repeat the final defense once. If the student fails the comprehensive examination a second time, the student is dismissed from the DNP program. Please see the DNP Clinical Scholarship Project Guidelines for the guidelines for the clinical scholarship project and the final defense.
Students who do not complete the clinical scholarly project or do not pass the final defense of the project before completion of DNP program coursework are required to maintain registration in a minimum of one credit of coursework each semester until the final defense of the clinical scholarly project is completed and approved by the DNP Clinical Scholarship Project Committee.
DNP Scholarly Expectations
The nature of doctoral study necessitates that students take responsibility for their own learning. Many hours per week are devoted to reading, writing, and assignment preparations. It is imperative that students in on-line classes prepare with being proficient in technology (e.g. completing the set-up wizard prior to synchronous classes, monitoring discussions on-line). Since synchronous on-line course meeting times are less frequent, it is important that students attend and prepare in advance for these classes.
Timeliness of coursework is also essential. Instructors may deduct points for late assignments. Students may also do self-grading or self-reflection as a part of coursework; if there is a discrepancy between the student’s self-evaluation and the instructor’s evaluation, the instructor may override this score (and will notify the student).
Coursework in the Post-Master’s DNP program builds on the MS knowledge. Therefore, students must apply information learned in their MS program, such as how to read research, levels of evidence for research, basic statistics, and clinical expertise.
Writing is an important skill in the DNP program. If students need a review of writing skills (and APA style), there are available resources, such as a learning center or writing lab. All students are encouraged to use these resources as needed.
DNP Clinical Scholarship Courses
The clinical scholarship courses are a sequence of three courses designed to provide DNP students with clinical experience with a preceptor and in a setting for development and implementation of the DNP clinical scholarship project.
Clinical Preceptor: Each DNP student will select, with the input of their advisor and the clinical site coordinator, a preceptor for their clinical experience. The preceptor must be an expert in the clinical, educational, or administrative area in which the DNP student wishes to develop expertise. There are currently very few nurses prepared at the DNP level who can serve as the clinical preceptor for DNP students. Therefore, the clinical preceptor will not necessarily be a DNP-prepared advanced practice nurse. Examples of persons who might fill the position of clinical preceptor include an advanced practice nurse or other professional with a doctoral degree; an advanced practice nurse with considerable experience and scholarship field; a physician with specialized training and experience; a nurse with an administrative position as the Director, Vice President, President, or CEO within a health care organization; a doctorally-prepared nurse educator; a nurse with a business or other degree; an advanced practice nurse in private practice;and/or other doctorally prepared professions. The clinical preceptor must hold a position in the organization where he/she can facilitate the DNP student’s access to organizational information, decision makers, and other personnel in order to complete the development and implementation of the DNP student’s clinical scholarship project over a year practicum within the organization.
When possible and practical, the DNP student is encouraged to select a clinical preceptor outside of their current work setting. In large organizations, for example, the DNP student would be placed for the clinical scholarship courses with a clinical preceptor outside the department or unit where they are employed. The line between current employment and clinical scholarship hours and project(s) must be clear to the organization, the preceptor, the DNP Clinical Scholarship Project Committee, and the DNP student.
Clinical Site: The clinical site for the clinical scholarship courses is important to the development and implementation of the DNP Clinical Scholarship Project. DNP students are encouraged to select a clinical site that can provide the facilities and expertise for their growth. The clinical site may be a hospital, a health care system, an insurance company, a public health agency, a school/college of nursing, a research institute, a nonprofit agency, or other organization. The University must have a clinical affiliation agreement with the clinical site, and students are responsible to complete all clinical agency requirements before starting clinicals. The DNP student should begin discussing possible clinical sites early in the DNP program with the advisor and clinical placement coordinator so that the contract can be in place before the student begins the second semester of study. Following completion of each clinical scholarship course, a student evaluation will be completed by both the preceptor and the clinical faculty. Additional description clinical scholarship project are available in the DNP Clinical Scholarship Project Guidelines.
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