Graduate Faculty Committee Doc. No. 1130 Approved February 23, 2009 RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON GRADUATE COURSE AND CURRICULUM AND THE FACULTY OF THE COLLEGE OF NURSING FOR GRADUATE SCHOOL BULLETIN COPY FOR THE DOCTOR OF NURSING PRACTICE PROGRAM CURRENT COLLEGE OF NURSING OVERVIEW SHOULD BE MODIFIED TO INSERT PARAGRAPH ON DNP IN ITALICS BELOW Overview The Master of Science degree program in Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The program is designed to prepare nurses for advanced nursing practice in the community and in institution-based settings. The community health framework in place since 1978 has been expanded to provide the basis for a variety of options for advanced practice nursing. The program offers three clinical tracks: clinical nurse specialist, family nurse practitioner, and post nurse practitioner. An area of clinical specialization is selected by the student according to personal interests and career goals, and serves as the basis for a formal program of study submitted by the student and approved by the student's advisor on entering the program. Study in the Master's program prepares students to participate in planning and implementing nursing services to meet the special needs of clients particularly in urban communities. Graduates are also prepared to participate in research. Graduates of the Master of Science program will be eligible to sit for a variety of certification examinations as approved by the Wisconsin Board of Nursing. The Doctor of Nursing Practice program at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee was approved by the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents on December 5, 2008 and prepares nurses for the highest academic preparation in clinical nursing, The DNP will prepare practitioners who are able to use their education and expertise in evidence based practice in providing outstanding care and collaborative leadership to improve clinical care delivery, patient outcomes, and system management. The PhD program in Nursing at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee was approved by the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents on February 9, 1984, and prepares nurses as scholars to conduct independent and collaborative research, to develop and test theory relevant to nursing, and to improve the quality of care by expanding the body of nursing knowledge. Scholars will be prepared to serve the urban community and improve the general accessibility and acceptability of health care. Specialization is achieved through an approved program of study and includes program elements of course work, dissertation, and direction of faculty advisors. This specialization is focused on a particular area of nursing practice and the social context within which it occurs.
Graduate Faculty Committee Doc. No. 1130 p. 2 Approved February 23, 2009 The Center for Nursing Research and Evaluation, the Institute for Urban Health Partnerships, the Center for Cultural Diversity and Health, and the Nursing Learning Resource Center are among the resources of the College of Nursing. NEW DNP BULLETIN COPY TO BE INSERTED AFTER GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN PUBLIC HEALTH AND BEFORE DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN NURSING Doctor of Nursing Practice There are two entry options for the Doctor of Nursing (DNP) Practice Program. 1. Program for individuals with a bachelor s degree in nursing and a current Registered Nurse license. 2. Program for individuals with an advanced practice master's degree in nursing and a current Registered Nurse license. Admission The admission requirements of the DNP program in Nursing are consistent with those requirements specified by the Graduate School of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. In addition, students must also meet the following requirements for the College of Nursing: An applicant must meet Graduate School requirements plus the following College of Nursing requirements to be considered for admission to the doctoral program in Nursing: 1. A bachelor's degree in Nursing from a professionally accredited program, with a minimum undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.75 (4.0 scale) for the post baccalaureate DNP option. 2. A master s degree in Nursing with an advanced practice focus from a professionally accredited program, with a minimum grade point average of 3.2 (4.0 scale) for the post master s DNP option. 3. Completion with a grade of C or higher of an upper-level undergraduate course in statistics. 4. Current registration as a professional nurse. 5. Completion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) within the last five years. 6. Three (3) letters of recommendation for graduate study in nursing, two (2) of which are from persons most knowledgeable about the applicant's recent academic and work experiences. 7. Completion of an autobiographical sketch. 8. Personal interview with a faculty member may be requested. These data are used by the Admissions Subcommittee as indicators of academic potential. The student is expected to satisfy deficiency requirements within three enrolled semesters. The deficiencies are monitored by the Graduate School and the individual graduate program unit. No course credits earned in making up deficiencies may be counted as program credits required for the degree.
Graduate Faculty Committee Doc. No. 1130 p. 3 Approved February 23, 2009 Reapplication A student who receives a master's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee must formally reapply for admission to the Graduate School before continuing studies toward the DNP. Major Professor as Advisor The student must have a major professor to advise and supervise the student's studies as specified in Graduate School regulations. The student is assigned to an initial advisor at the time of admission. The student, in consultation with the major professor, establishes a formal plan of study that is submitted to the College of Nursing Graduate Admission and Progression Committee for approval. For subsequent changes, the student must file a revised plan of study for approval by this committee. The DNP program is offered to provide the highest academic preparation in clinical nursing. This is accomplished through core courses required of all students (30 credits) and completion of requirements for one of four clinical tracks. The following tracks are available: The DNP curriculum will offer the following specialty foci: Advanced Practice Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) with options for focus in Adult Childbearing Pediatrics Psych-Mental Health Community Health Nursing Systems Students in each of these areas will complete 21 credits in specialty theory and electives, 9 credits of specialty practicum and a 4 credit residency. Credits and Courses Minimum degree requirements are 64 graduate credits beyond the bachelor s degree. Post Baccalaureate DNP The Post Baccalaureate DNP Curriculum includes the following components 12 credits Specialty Theory 21 credits Specialty Practicum (540 clock hours) Residency with DNP clinical project (460 clock hours) 4 credits TOTAL PROGRAM CREDITS 64 credits
Graduate Faculty Committee Doc. No. 1130 p. 4 Approved February 23, 2009 735 Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Nursing Practice, 3 cr. 810 Leadership for Advanced Practice in Healthcare, 3 cr. 727 Epidemiology, 3 cr. 725 Evidence Based Practice in Healthcare I, 3 cr. 825 Evidence Based Practice in Healthcare II, 3 cr. Biostatistics, 3 cr. 729 Organizational Systems, 3 cr. 750 Outcomes and Quality Management, 3 cr. 773 Information Systems to Support Clinical Decision-Making, 3 cr. 803 Health Policy, 3 cr. Specialty Theory Advanced Practice Specialty 753 Physiologic Basis of Advanced Nursing Practice, 3 cr. 707 Advanced Pharmacology: Application to Advanced Nursing Practice, 3 cr. 754 Comprehensive Assessment of Health: Implications for Clinical Decision-Making, 3 cr. Specialty Theory Electives, 12 cr. Specialty Theory Community Health or Nursing Systems Health Economics, 3 cr. Healthcare Finance, 3 cr. 733 Organizational Development OR Community Assessment, 3 cr. 706 Managing in a Dynamic Environment, 3 cr. 720 Strategic Planning in Health Care Organizations, 3 cr. 770 Nursing Administration OR Community Nursing Theory, 3 cr. 667 Program Planning in Adult Education or 647 Evaluation of Adult and Continuing Education Program, 3 cr. Specialty Practicum FNP, CNS, Community Health, or Nursing Systems Practicum Courses, 9 cr. Residency, 4 cr. Post Master s DNP The Post Master s DNP Curriculum builds on an advanced practice nursing master s program and includes the following components 6 credits Residency with DNP clinical project (460 clock hours) 4 credits MINIMUM TOTAL PROGRAM CREDITS 28 credits
Graduate Faculty Committee Doc. No. 1130 p. 5 Approved February 23, 2009 810 Leadership for Advanced Practice in Healthcare, 3 cr. 727 Epidemiology, 3 cr. 725 Evidence Based Practice in Healthcare I, 3 cr. 825 Evidence Based Practice in Healthcare II, 3 cr. Biostatistics, 3 cr. 750 Outcomes and Quality Management, 3 cr. 773 Information Systems to Support Clinical Decision-Making, 3 cr. 803 Health Policy, 3 cr. Residency, 4 cr. Residency Both the post baccalaureate and post master s curriculum include a 4 credit residency experience that will include the required capstone clinical project. This residency experience will include 460 additional clinical hours in the student s specialty focus area and will include an emphasis on the evidence-based practice, leadership and system competencies of the DNP prepared graduate. Time Limit Students in the post baccalaureate DNP program must complete all degree requirements within seven years of the first enrollment semester as a degree student. Students in the post master s DNP program must complete all degree requirements within five years of the first enrollment semester as a degree student. Minimum Grade Requirement For continuation in the program, in addition to general Graduate School requirements students must achieve a minimum grade of B in all required practicum courses and a minimum grade of B- in all other required courses. An overall g.p.a. of 3.00 is required for the degree. Residence The student must meet minimum Graduate School residence requirements. Doctoral Preliminary Examination The student must pass a doctoral preliminary examination to qualify for formal admission to candidacy for degree. The doctoral examination is comprised of a written portfolio and an oral
Graduate Faculty Committee Doc. No. 1130 p. 6 Approved February 23, 2009 component, taken in that sequence, with each component requiring a passing grade for successful completion. The examination is an integrative experience that is designed to validate the student's mastery of the content of the DNP curriculum and must be completed prior to beginning the residency experience. DNP Clinical Project The candidate will complete a final comprehensive clinical project as part of the residency experience which demonstrates the ability to implement the principles of evidence-based practice and translation under the direction of the major professor. The candidate must, as the final step toward the degree, pass an oral examination in defense of the clinical project. A candidate who does not pass this examination may apply for reexamination within one year from the initial examination date. This reexamination may occur only one time. A candidate who does not pass this examination within program time limits may be required to undergo another comprehensive preliminary examination and be readmitted to the program and/or candidacy.