Online DNP Curriculum

Examines contemporary major health issues to determine their relationship to and impact upon health policy in the United States and around the world. A major focus is the identification, formulation and legitimation of health policy. Given the unique private/public partnership in American healthcare delivery and financing, attention is given to public/private financing of healthcare and its relationship to access, quality and cost.

This course explores the impact of globalization on health care and health care planning, and the need to design health care systems that are responsive to diverse cultural needs. The focus is on select global health problems assessed in a multidisciplinary manner to assure attention to the underserved and their complex cultural needs and requirements. Attention is directed at increasing the capacity of health care professionals to develop culturally sensitive health care systems.

Vulnerability is examined through the lens of social justice theory, the Catholic social justice tradition and determinants of health. Responses to vulnerability are framed by: characteristics and determinants of vulnerability, direct and indirect actions to limit or reduce vulnerability, and structural and policy level work to address the variables that create and perpetuate vulnerability within persons, across generations and in local and global communities.

This course focuses on the knowledge and skills required to excel in the ethical leadership of organizations and groups in the transformation of educational and health care environments. Focus areas will include values and ethics, professional accountability, human resource utilization, legal issues, effective communication skills, effective management of teams and groups, and conflict management and resolution, and healthcare advocacy.

This course presents practice improvement methods and processes that support the achievement of nursing and health care goals to eliminate health disparities and to promote patient safety and excellence in practice. Analytical methods will be presented that includes evaluating outcomes of health care services, systems of care and communities. Epidemiological and Quality Improvement principles, research and methods are explored as vital components to practice improvement initiatives.  Population health concepts and measures used to determine risk, association and community health outcomes will be discussed.  Appropriate statistical analysis used to predict and analyze health care outcomes will be presented. Quality improvement strategies that can be used to create and sustain health care improvements at the practice, organizational and policy levels will be presented.

This course prepares advanced practice nurses in clinical practice and leadership roles as part of interdisciplinary teams that will lead the selection, implementation and optimization of health information systems that support the delivery and maintenance of quality nursing and inter-professional health care, including patient access to essential health information. The course will examine approaches to data management and analytics that are used to evaluate and improve patient care and safety, health care delivery, care management and population health initiatives.  The course will explore health information technology innovations and enhancements that support the provision of health care services and clinical practice throughout communities including clinical decision support, data repositories, health information exchanges, telehealth and mobile health and continuum of care management and patient engagement.

This course provides an emphasis on a scholarly approach to problem solving based on critical appraisal, synthesis and application of research evidence.  An evidence based practice paradigm will be used to assist the student in learning to evaluate, implement and disseminate best research evidence into practice. This knowledge will be applied through analysis and synthesis of evidence that may be used to systematically address important practice and/or health policy problems for populations of patients, communities, and clinicians working in diverse interdisciplinary teams. The use of theory and research from the perspective of clinical nursing and other disciplines is emphasized as the foundation for effecting change in nursing and healthcare. Finally, dissemination of clinical practice scholarship will be discussed as a critical element of DNP practice.

This course builds on the foundational principles of evidence-based practice to enhance understanding and practice of quality care, evidence-based nursing and translational research at an advanced level. The DNP student will learn to contribute to the expansion of knowledge underlying advanced professional nursing practice through the translation of research into practice. Students will develop and refine competencies and skills in translating nursing research. Student’s enhanced understanding and proficiency in translating evidence will guide them to transform the evidence-based approaches used in practice. Human subjects’ research will be discussed. Finally, dissemination of clinical practice scholarship will be examined as a critical element of DNP practice.

This course provides a background in analysis and evaluation of program outcomes within health care settings. Emphasis will be placed on the role of the DNP in developing and leading clinical quality and safety initiatives through the identification of appropriate measurement strategies and evaluation instruments when evaluating program and measuring practice change.

This course initiates the DNP Leadership Residency which is a key component of Doctor of Nursing Practice program. The residency establishes practicum experiences for the DNP student within an organization or community to complete their DNP Project. The student participates in meaningful engagement with experts from nursing and interdisciplinary teams, with their Residency Preceptor providing guidance and support. This experience provides each DNP student the opportunity to engage with leadership and/or clinical staff as they design and implement initiatives which are designed to improve outcomes of care. Working with their Residency Preceptor and Faculty Mentor, the student manages project implementation and response to the change process being initiated, including ethical or legal concerns. Students work within the organization to advocate and educate leaders and staff regarding the identified health or health care organization concern. Students implement the data collection and management plan through collaboration and communication with organizational HIT support.

This course continues the DNP Leadership Residency as the DNP student works within an organization or community to complete their DNP Project. The student participates in meaningful engagement with nursing and interdisciplinary experts within an organizational setting, with their preceptor’s guidance and support. This experience provides each DNP student with comprehensive leadership and/or clinical experience designed to meet their professional leadership and/or practice goals. Students also explore their achievement of each of the DNP Essentials and reflect on their impact on their professional role. Students complete the requirements for graduation including: DNP Competency Tracking Form; Successful completion of the DNP Residency hours; DNP Portfolio; DNP Project; DNP Manuscript.

This course provides an introduction to the role of the nurse is advanced practice through an analysis of nursing history and innovations in the advanced nursing practice role in order to expand and challenge conventional thinking. The student will explore the theoretical literature from diverse disciplines on how innovations are conceived and implemented, particularly in nursing and healthcare practice. Using a case study model, professional role issues in advanced nursing practice are explored with respect to historical and contemporary foundations of advanced nursing practice, as well as, implementation and impact of health care entrepreneurial initiatives/innovations. The course will address statistical literacy and technical writing in the context of role development and nursing and health care innovation. Integral to this course will be an introduction to the online learning environment.

This course focuses on evidence-based practice and policy development by addressing the value of scientific evidence and nursing research in providing high quality health care that is also culturally-responsive and appropriate. Content focuses on the need for evidence-based practice, the research process, high performance inter-professional teams, systematic EBP using the Johns Hopkins Evidence Based Practice Model, ethical issues, and use of organizational leadership techniques to promote evidence-based practice. The goal of this course is to prepare nurses in advance practice who are proficient in using a systematic EBP model to identify and address clinical problems with inter-professional teams and collaborations. Additionally is will prepare students to lead EBP efforts, implementation projects and make policy recommendations.

This course provides a foundation in ethics for nurses in advanced practice. The first part of the course will cover the fundamental issues, prevailing views, and laws in clinical ethics, with a focus on issues related to nursing, including the nurse's professional role and the nurse-patient relationship; trust, confidentiality, and veracity; informed consent; autonomy and paternalism; the right to refuse treatment; decision-making capacity; surrogate decision-making and advance directives; and conscientious objection. If time permits, other topics may be included, including: abortion, physician-assisted suicide, reproductive technology, genetic testing, and the ethics of research on human subjects. The second part of the course will cover fundamental topics in organizational ethics, which includes ethical issues involved in healthcare administration and institutional policy, such as resource allocation, conflicts of interest, the economics of healthcare delivery, and the role of ethics committees and clinical ethicists. Throughout the course we will discuss controversial case-studies through which students will develop skill in presenting well-reasoned arguments for their positions.

This course is designed to focus on the health promotion and disease prevention of the aggregate (individuals, families, groups that make up a community and/or a society). It provides the student a different and wider perspective related to the incorporation and the application of the theoretical knowledge into the aspects of clinical practices. The course will address: the foundation of the meaning of population within the context of health promotion and disease prevention, the goals of the national health plan, health indicators, health determinants at the individual and societal levels, health behavior and the challenge to change people's behavior. This will include applying concepts of health behavior theories, health disparity, human genetics, environmental health, and chronic disease control and prevention. Additionally, students will apply epidemiological principles to identify populations at high risk of preventable illnesses. The course will explicitly address the health promotion and clinical/disease prevention activities that are culturally responsive and appropriate.

Vulnerability is examined through the lens of social justice theory, the Catholic social justice tradition and determinants of health. Responses to vulnerability are framed by: characteristics and determinants of vulnerability, direct and indirect actions to limit or reduce vulnerability, and structural and policy level work to address the variables that create and perpetuate vulnerability within persons, across generations and in local and global communities.

This course will use a case-based approach to examine the multitude of legal and ethical issues that confront the contemporary nurse leader and in their professional nursing role. The course will also address issues confronted by nursing administrators –directors, nurse managers and clinical leaders. The course will begin with an introduction to the legal process and how legal cases are retrieved and cited in the literature. The course will examine such concepts as ‘due process’ and how it is operationalized in nursing practice. The role of a health care-based attorney as a consultant in the clinical setting will also be addressed. Using a case-based method, various scenarios will be analyzed within a legal and ethical framework.

The theory portion of the course integrates principles of management and leadership concepts with contemporary health care trends and issues related to nursing administration, leadership and practice.  The focus of this course is organizational theory, leadership models, and communication and change theory in team building, conflict management, and inter-professional collaboration.  This course also emphasizes the responsibility of the nurse leader to ensure the quality, safety and effectiveness of patient care within a health care setting.

The practicum portion of the course involves 75 hours of observational experiences in a health care setting.  The experiences involve working with a nurse administrator and/or healthcare administrator with the intention of focusing on the concepts related to Organizational Leadership in Nursing and Healthcare.

This course explores the impact of globalization on health care and health care planning, and the need to design health care systems that are responsive to diverse cultural needs. The focus is on select global health problems assessed in a multidisciplinary manner to assure attention to the underserved and their complex cultural needs and requirements. Attention is directed at increasing the capacity of health care professionals to develop culturally sensitive health care systems.

This course focuses on the knowledge and skills required to excel in the ethical leadership of organizations and groups in the transformation of educational and health care environments. Focus areas will include values and ethics, professional accountability, human resource utilization, legal issues, effective communication skills, effective management of teams and groups, and conflict management and resolution, and healthcare advocacy.

This course presents practice improvement methods and processes that support the achievement of nursing and health care goals to eliminate health disparities and to promote patient safety and excellence in practice. Analytical methods will be presented that includes evaluating outcomes of health care services, systems of care and communities. Epidemiological and Quality Improvement principles, research and methods are explored as vital components to practice improvement initiatives.  Population health concepts and measures used to determine risk, association and community health outcomes will be discussed.  Appropriate statistical analysis used to predict and analyze health care outcomes will be presented. Quality improvement strategies that can be used to create and sustain health care improvements at the practice, organizational and policy levels will be presented.

This course prepares advanced practice nurses in clinical practice and leadership roles as part of interdisciplinary teams that will lead the selection, implementation and optimization of health information systems that support the delivery and maintenance of quality nursing and inter-professional health care, including patient access to essential health information. The course will examine approaches to data management and analytics that are used to evaluate and improve patient care and safety, health care delivery, care management and population health initiatives.  The course will explore health information technology innovations and enhancements that support the provision of health care services and clinical practice throughout communities including clinical decision support, data repositories, health information exchanges, telehealth and mobile health and continuum of care management and patient engagement.

This course provides an emphasis on a scholarly approach to problem solving based on critical appraisal, synthesis and application of research evidence.  An evidence based practice paradigm will be used to assist the student in learning to evaluate, implement and disseminate best research evidence into practice. This knowledge will be applied through analysis and synthesis of evidence that may be used to systematically address important practice and/or health policy problems for populations of patients, communities, and clinicians working in diverse interdisciplinary teams. The use of theory and research from the perspective of clinical nursing and other disciplines is emphasized as the foundation for effecting change in nursing and healthcare. Finally, dissemination of clinical practice scholarship will be discussed as a critical element of DNP practice.

This course builds on the foundational principles of evidence-based practice to enhance understanding and practice of quality care, evidence-based nursing and translational research at an advanced level. The DNP student will learn to contribute to the expansion of knowledge underlying advanced professional nursing practice through the translation of research into practice. Students will develop and refine competencies and skills in translating nursing research. Student’s enhanced understanding and proficiency in translating evidence will guide them to transform the evidence-based approaches used in practice. Human subjects’ research will be discussed. Finally, dissemination of clinical practice scholarship will be examined as a critical element of DNP practice.

This course provides a background in analysis and evaluation of program outcomes within health care settings. Emphasis will be placed on the role of the DNP in developing and leading clinical quality and safety initiatives through the identification of appropriate measurement strategies and evaluation instruments when evaluating program and measuring practice change.

This course initiates the DNP Leadership Residency which is a key component of Doctor of Nursing Practice program. The residency establishes practicum experiences for the DNP student within an organization or community to complete their DNP Project. The student participates in meaningful engagement with experts from nursing and interdisciplinary teams, with their Residency Preceptor providing guidance and support. This experience provides each DNP student the opportunity to engage with leadership and/or clinical staff as they design and implement initiatives which are designed to improve outcomes of care. Working with their Residency Preceptor and Faculty Mentor, the student manages project implementation and response to the change process being initiated, including ethical or legal concerns. Students work within the organization to advocate and educate leaders and staff regarding the identified health or health care organization concern. Students implement the data collection and management plan through collaboration and communication with organizational HIT support.

This course continues the DNP Leadership Residency as the DNP student works within an organization or community to complete their DNP Project. The student participates in meaningful engagement with nursing and interdisciplinary experts within an organizational setting, with their preceptor’s guidance and support. This experience provides each DNP student with comprehensive leadership and/or clinical experience designed to meet their professional leadership and/or practice goals. Students also explore their achievement of each of the DNP Essentials and reflect on their impact on their professional role. Students complete the requirements for graduation including: DNP Competency Tracking Form; Successful completion of the DNP Residency hours; DNP Portfolio; DNP Project; DNP Manuscript.

You will learn how to develop an entrepreneurial mindset and apply entrepreneurship principles in both existing organizations and new ventures. The focus will be on enhancing your skills with respect to identifying and screening new venture opportunities, business planning, acquiring the resources needed to execute your plan and exit strategies.

This course explores the strategic role, technical functions, and services provided by an organization’s Personnel/Human Resources department. Among the topics covered are human resource planning, recruiting, selection, performance appraisal, training, compensation, occupational safety and health, employee rights, labor unions, and equal employment opportunity issues.

You will learn about the fundamentals of managing a profit and loss center. You will get a better understanding of financial statements including the balance sheet, income statement and the statement of cash flows. Basic financial concepts like financial ratios, time value of money and capital budgeting will be introduced. The goal of the course is to provide a foundational financial literacy so that managers can make effective decisions within their organizations.

You will learn theoretical concepts, frameworks, tools, and skills for evaluating the enterprise as a single complete entity. This course challenges you to apply material to develop a holistic business strategy for an organization.

This course will use a case-based approach to examine the multitude of legal and ethical issues that confront the contemporary nurse leader and in their professional nursing role. The course will also address issues confronted by nursing administrators –directors, nurse managers and clinical leaders. The course will begin with an introduction to the legal process and how legal cases are retrieved and cited in the literature. The course will examine such concepts as ‘due process’ and how it is operationalized in nursing practice. The role of a health care-based attorney as a consultant in the clinical setting will also be addressed. Using a case-based method, various scenarios will be analyzed within a legal and ethical framework.

This course presents practice improvement methods and processes that support the achievement of nursing and health care goals to eliminate health disparities and to promote patient safety and excellence in practice. Analytical methods will be presented that includes evaluating outcomes of health care services, systems of care and communities. Epidemiological and Quality Improvement principles, research and methods are explored as vital components to practice improvement initiatives.  Population health concepts and measures used to determine risk, association and community health outcomes will be discussed.  Appropriate statistical analysis used to predict and analyze health care outcomes will be presented. Quality improvement strategies that can be used to create and sustain health care improvements at the practice, organizational and policy levels will be presented.

The theory portion of the course integrates principles of management and leadership concepts with contemporary health care trends and issues related to nursing administration, leadership and practice.  The focus of this course is organizational theory, leadership models, and communication and change theory in team building, conflict management, and inter-professional collaboration.  This course also emphasizes the responsibility of the nurse leader to ensure the quality, safety and effectiveness of patient care within a health care setting.

The practicum portion of the course involves 75 hours of observational experiences in a health care setting.  The experiences involve working with a nurse administrator and/or healthcare administrator with the intention of focusing on the concepts related to Organizational Leadership in Nursing and Healthcare.

This course provides an emphasis on a scholarly approach to problem solving based on critical appraisal, synthesis and application of research evidence.  An evidence based practice paradigm will be used to assist the student in learning to evaluate, implement and disseminate best research evidence into practice. This knowledge will be applied through analysis and synthesis of evidence that may be used to systematically address important practice and/or health policy problems for populations of patients, communities, and clinicians working in diverse interdisciplinary teams. The use of theory and research from the perspective of clinical nursing and other disciplines is emphasized as the foundation for effecting change in nursing and healthcare. Finally, dissemination of clinical practice scholarship will be discussed as a critical element of DNP practice.

This course builds on the foundational principles of evidence-based practice to enhance understanding and practice of quality care, evidence-based nursing and translational research at an advanced level. The DNP student will learn to contribute to the expansion of knowledge underlying advanced professional nursing practice through the translation of research into practice. Students will develop and refine competencies and skills in translating nursing research. Student’s enhanced understanding and proficiency in translating evidence will guide them to transform the evidence-based approaches used in practice. Human subjects’ research will be discussed. Finally, dissemination of clinical practice scholarship will be examined as a critical element of DNP practice.

This course provides a background in analysis and evaluation of program outcomes within health care settings. Emphasis will be placed on the role of the DNP in developing and leading clinical quality and safety initiatives through the identification of appropriate measurement strategies and evaluation instruments when evaluating program and measuring practice change.

This course initiates the DNP Leadership Residency which is a key component of Doctor of Nursing Practice program. The residency establishes practicum experiences for the DNP student within an organization or community to complete their DNP Project. The student participates in meaningful engagement with experts from nursing and interdisciplinary teams, with their Residency Preceptor providing guidance and support. This experience provides each DNP student the opportunity to engage with leadership and/or clinical staff as they design and implement initiatives which are designed to improve outcomes of care. Working with their Residency Preceptor and Faculty Mentor, the student manages project implementation and response to the change process being initiated, including ethical or legal concerns. Students work within the organization to advocate and educate leaders and staff regarding the identified health or health care organization concern. Students implement the data collection and management plan through collaboration and communication with organizational HIT support.

This course continues the DNP Leadership Residency as the DNP student works within an organization or community to complete their DNP Project. The student participates in meaningful engagement with nursing and interdisciplinary experts within an organizational setting, with their preceptor’s guidance and support. This experience provides each DNP student with comprehensive leadership and/or clinical experience designed to meet their professional leadership and/or practice goals. Students also explore their achievement of each of the DNP Essentials and reflect on their impact on their professional role. Students complete the requirements for graduation including: DNP Competency Tracking Form; Successful completion of the DNP Residency hours; DNP Portfolio; DNP Project; DNP Manuscript.

You will learn how to develop an entrepreneurial mindset and apply entrepreneurship principles in both existing organizations and new ventures. The focus will be on enhancing your skills with respect to identifying and screening new venture opportunities, business planning, acquiring the resources needed to execute your plan and exit strategies.

You will learn about the fundamentals of managing a profit and loss center. You will get a better understanding of financial statements including the balance sheet, income statement and the statement of cash flows. Basic financial concepts like financial ratios, time value of money and capital budgeting will be introduced. The goal of the course is to provide a foundational financial literacy so that managers can make effective decisions within their organizations.

You will learn theoretical concepts, frameworks, tools, and skills for evaluating the enterprise as a single complete entity. This course challenges you to apply material to develop a holistic business strategy for an organization.