DNP Program Description
Chairperson: Jo Stejskal
Director of Graduate Nursing: Sonja J. Meiers (507) 536-5671, smeiers@winona.edu, www.winona.edu/nursing.
Doctor of Nursing Practice Faculty: D. Forsyth, C. Jenson, W. McBreen, S. Meiers, A. Olson, J. Ponto, W. McBreen, 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, Associate 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,2005-
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-
Special note
A new Winona State University (WSU) Doctor of Nursing Practice program was approved by the Department of Nursing, the University, the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, and the Higher Learning Commission in July 2012.
WSU will be accepting applications for the new DNP program in December 2012 for classes starting in Fall 2013. For full details regarding the application process and programs, please contact the Graduate Programs in Nursing Director at 507-285-7473 or smeiers@winona.edu.
DNP programs will be available in the following areas: Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult/Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist, Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Nursing and Organizational Leadership.
Accreditation
The Doctor of Nursing Practice program is not accredited. Accreditation will be applied for in conjunction with the next accreditation cycle for all programs in the Department of Nursing. This re-accreditation is scheduled for 2013 through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) One Dupont Circle NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036-1120. Phone: (202) 887-6791; www.aacn.nche.edu
Location
Doctor of Nursing Practice faculty offices are located at the WSU-Rochester campus. Courses for the Doctor of Nursing Practice are offered utilizing a variety of synchronous and asynchronous distance education methods including Internet, ITV, and Internet based conferencing.
Purpose
The post-nursing master’s DNP program provides masters prepared nurses with opportunities for practice-based doctoral education. The DNP Program is offered by Winona State University as part of a consortium of graduate nursing education programs in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system. The 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 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, and leadership.
- 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.
DNP Student Learning Outcomes
The learning outcomes are based on the AACN Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice (2006) and reflect the ability of graduates to:
- Evaluate scientific underpinnings that contribute to translation of nursing research to improve practice.
- Evaluate nursing actions that influence health care outcomes for individuals, families, and populations.
- Use knowledge gained through evaluation of nursing actions that influence health outcomes to improve care delivery, patient outcomes, and systems management.
- Evaluate evidence pertaining to direct care of patients and management of care for individuals, families, systems, and populations.
- 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.
Application Submission Requirements
The applicant seeking admission is required to submit or show evidence of the following:
- Completed Program Application for admission to the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program.
- Official copies of transcript(s) from each institution attended for graduate study. NOTE: If the applicant has unofficial copies of graduate level transcripts, please include those in the application. They will help expedite application review until official transcripts are received.
- Evidence of current unencumbered license as a Registered Nurse from the state(s) where clinical will be conducted.
- References.
- Goal Statement.
- Resume.
- Official copy of TOEFL score if international student.
- A $40 non-refundable application fee.
Program Requirements
The number of credits required for graduation from the DNP program include:
- 36 credits of doctoral course work completed as an admitted student in the DNP program.
- A minimum of 36 credits of nursing-focus or role-specific course work, transferable from the master’s in nursing program
A minimum of 72 credits are required for graduation. In addition to completion of the required courses students are required to complete and successfully defend an evidence based capstone project.
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 with a new cohort of students must be submitted to the DNP Program Management Council (PMC). The PMC will admit students to a subsequent cohort on a “space available” basis.
Incomplete/In Progress Grades: A grade of incomplete (I) or in progress (IP) may be granted at the discretion of the lead instructor for the course 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 the subsequent clinical scholarship course and must complete the requirements for both courses within the semester.
Dropping Courses and Withdrawal: Dropping courses in the DNP program is not encourages since the student will need to wait until the following year to complete the dropped course and continue the program. If a student must drop a course, it is important that the student officially drops the course. 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. To drop all courses, which is considered an official withdrawal from the program, students must contact the graduate college at the parent institution for more Information.
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. Consistent with institutional and system policy, all coursework to be considered for transfer into the DNP program must be at the doctoral level from regionally accredited academic institutions and must be completed after the student is enrolled in the MnSCU Consortium DNP program.
Students must submit a formal request for transfer of credits to the PMC after approval from student’s academic advisor. 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 PMC. A maximum of 4 credits can be transferred into the student’s plan of study. Appeals may be directed toward the Chairperson of the PMC and will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
Time Limitation
All degree requirements including DNP Consortium credits, transfer credits, and all other program requirements must be completed with the five years prior to the awarding of the degree. Under exceptional extenuating circumstances, a student may submit a petition through their advisor and to the Program Management Council requesting an extension of the time limitation.
DNP Qualifying Examination/DNP Capstone Proposal Defense
The student’s defense of the capstone/evidence based project proposal serves as the preliminary examination for the DNP program. The members of the DNP Capstone Project Committee may ask fundamental and developmental questions, which cover the first year of DNP coursework, at their discretion. This examination is intended to determine if a student is prepared and qualified to begin work on the capstone project. To be eligible to take the qualifying examination and defend the capstone project proposal, a student must have a DNP Capstone 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 Capstone Project Committee will serve as documentation of the student’s performance on the examination. 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 Capstone Project Committee. Students are allowed to repeat the qualifying exam/capstone proposal defense once. If the student fails to receive approval for the capstone project after the second attempt, the student is dismissed from the DNP program.
Once the committee has approved the capstone project proposal, that student is considered to have passed the qualifying examination. The process for selection of the capstone project advisor and committee and for development and approval of the proposal is included in the capstone project guidelines.
IRB Approval for Capstone 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 capstone project. Generally, IRB approval is required if any human subjects are involved, such as for evaluation of project outcomes. IRB submissions are normally sent to the student’s home institution 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 found within each institution’s website. All students must complete a Human Subjects education module.
DNP Comprehensive Examination/Final Capstone Project Defense
The final defense of the capstone project serves as the comprehensive examination for the DNP program. This examination serves to determine that the student has met all the requirements of the capstone project and has completed a project reflective of doctoral level academic and clinical work.
Approval of the final defense of the capstone project by the DNP Capstone 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 and meet again with the DNP Capstone Project Committee. 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 Capstone Project Guidelines for the guidelines for the capstone project and the final defense.
Students who do not complete the capstone 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 capstone is completed and approved by the DNP Capstone 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. Due to the on-line coursework, it is imperative that students prepare with being proficient in technology (e.g. completing the set-up wizard prior to synchronous classes, monitoring discussions on-line). Since synchronous 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 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), each institution has available resources, such as a learning center or writing lab. It behooves each student to use these resources, as needed.
DNP Clinical Scholarship Courses
The clinical scholarship courses are a sequence of four courses designed to provide DNP students with 400 hours of clinical experience with a preceptor and a setting for development and implementation of the DNP Capstone Project.
Clinical Preceptor: Each DNP student will select, with the input of their Initial DNP Academic Advisor or their DNP Capstone Project Chair, a preceptor for their 400 hour 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 recognition as an expert in a particular clinical field; a MD 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; etc. 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 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 Capstone Project Committee, and the DNP student. The selection of the clinical preceptor must be determined in consultation with the student’s DNP Capstone Project Chair.
Clinical Site: The clinical site for the clinical scholarship courses is important to the development and implementation of the DNP Capstone 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 home institution must have a contract with the clinical site. The DNP student should begin discussing possible clinical sites early in the DNP program so that the contract can be in place before the student begins the second semester of study. The Initial DNP Academic Advisor and/or the DNP Capstone Project Chair can assist with locating a suitable clinical site.
Following completion of each clinical scholarship course, a student evaluation will be completed by both the preceptor and the clinical faculty. Additional description of Clinical Practicum Requirements and DNP Project Guidelines are available in the DNP Nursing Student Handbook.
Return to: