I wanted to share some updated information with you regarding the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at Bellarmine University. As we have announced previously, we are opening the DNP as a post-masters program with two tracks: one designed for the advanced practice nurse, focused on the healthcare of individuals, and one designed to focus on leadership at the system and/or organizational level. Total doctoral program credit hours will range from 34 to 36 hours, depending on your track selection. Some students may also need to complete prerequisite course work prior to beginning doctoral courses.

The program has received all necessary internal approvals and has been submitted to our accrediting body, the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools (SACS), for final approval. We anticipate receiving SACS approval during the fall semester. We will begin accepting applications on September 15, 2009. Priority application deadline is October 15th. Courses will begin in January 2010. The application will be available at www.bellarmine.edu by August 15, 2009.

The curriculum guide and admission requirements are attached below. Please note that for the first cohort, we will allow students to enroll in an introductory graduate level statistics course concurrent with doctoral courses, if needed, instead of considering this a prerequisite to admission. In the future, the course will need to be completed prior to starting DNP courses.

The program will be delivered as a blend of in-class, online, and clinical experiences. Currently, the program is part-time, but in the future we will offer options for both full-time and part-time study. The 2009 tuition will be $700 per credit hour. You may complete the 2009-2010 FAFSA to be considered for graduate student loans up to $20,500 per academic year. Also, many employers offer tuition assistance for graduate programs.

If you have other questions please contact: Julie Armstrong-Binnix, Recruiter Dr. Sherill Cronin, MSN Director julieab@bellarmine.edu or 452-8364 scronin@bellarmine.edu or 452-8149

Sincerely,
Julie Armstrong-Binnix Nursing and Health Sciences Recruiter

DNP Curriculum Course Requirements

• DNP Core Didactic Courses 21 cr hrs
• Informatics
• Advanced Statistics
• Methods for Evidence-based Practice in Healthcare
• Quality Improvement / Patient Safety
• Applied Epidemiology
• Clinical Program Development, Implementation, and Evaluation
• Domestic and Global Health Policy and Law

DNP Core Clinical Courses 6 cr hrs

• Practice Immersions (2) 1 cr hr each (with clinical practice hours)
• Residency 4 cr hrs (with clinical practice hours)
• Specialty Track Courses 6-9 cr hrs

APN (Focus on Care of Individuals)

• N639 Health Systems
• N625 Healthcare Finance

Leadership (Focus on Systems/Organizations)

• Advanced Management of Organizations and Systems
• Advanced Health Care Economics and Finance
• Selected Topics (with clinical practice hours)

Total 33-36 cr hrs

Practice Immersion and residency experience will culminate with portfolio development as a capstone evaluation. Portfolio to include case analyses, evidence-based system change project (that addresses quality, safety, access, and/or cost issues), log of practice experiences

Applicants will be required to complete or show evidence of previous completion of a graduate level statistics course within 5 years of start date

Admission Requirements

Admission to the DNP program requires approval by the Graduate Nursing Admission, Progression, and Graduation Committee. Admission of applicants is based upon the following criteria:

• MSN from a CCNE or NLNAC accredited nursing program
• Minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA for graduate work is required
• For non-native English speakers, a total score of 83 on the TOEFL (internet-based) with a minimum of 26 on the speaking section
• Three professional references (on form provided) addressing academic skills including oral and written communication, as well as clinical competence, from individuals who hold a masters or doctoral degree
• Goal statement – Should include responses to the following:
  • What are your professional goals and how will the DNP help you attain them? (Limit to 250 words)
  • What strengths do you possess that would contribute to your success in the program and to a community of interprofessional scholars? (Limit to 250 words) o Identify one or two topics/areas that you would like to explore as part of the DNP program (e.g., quality improvement initiative, evidence-based practice guideline, new model of care, policy analysis) and your preliminary plans for approaching them. (Limit to 500 words)
• Current CV or resume, describing relevant work, professional, and volunteer experiences
• Proof of active, unrestricted license to practice nursing in Kentucky and/or compact states
• Graduate level statistics course within 5 years of projected program start date

After initial review of applications, applicants may be contacted for an interview with graduate faculty members. Because enrollment is limited in the DNP track, meeting the minimum requirements may not assure admission.

DNP students will be required to have ready access to a computer, printer and Internet service provider that has high speed DSL or broadband Internet access and should possess moderate information technology skills.