Doctor of Nursing Practice - DNP

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Nursing Practice with Tracks

School of Nursing
Athens Campus (Main Office)
Grover Center E365
Ohio University
Athens, Ohio 45701
740-593-4494
800-560-0144 (toll free)
graduatenursing@ohio.edu

Delivery Mode: Online (DN1234, DN1236, DN1224, DN 1218, DN1237, DN1239); Online/in-Person (DN1244)

Terms of Entry: Fall only

Terms of Entry Requiring Program Permission: None

The Ohio University School of Nursing promotes excellence in the profession of nursing through education, scholarship, and service. The School provides quality educational experiences, utilizes clinical partnerships and facilitates regional collaboration that will enhance the health of diverse communities.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program consists of several tracks: separate BSN-DNP tracks with specific areas of focus and the MSN-DNP track (DN1234). Coursework is offered in a hybrid model, with some online courses and some courses which include an on-campus intensive experience. Students complete a total of 1000 practice hours (post-baccalaureate) to increase their depth and breadth of knowledge in their interest area which will include a minimum of 750 direct-care hours with their population and a minimum of 250 hours completing a scholarly project. 

Students in the MSN-DNP program have the opportunity, but are not required, to complete a post-graduate certificate as a part of their program. These may include Post-Graduate APRN certificates or Nurse Leader/Nurse Educator.

The APRN programs at Ohio University are intended to prepare students for advanced practice nursing and national certification in those areas. State Boards of Nursing set individual standards for licensure in their state. It is highly recommended that students who seek admission to these programs at Ohio University contact their home state’s Board of Nursing to verify that the desired program and its graduates will meet the eligibility criteria for approval for those credentials. Approved RN licensure states for application can be found on the School of Nursing website.  

Advanced Practice Registered Nursing (APRN) Focus

The Adult-Gerontology-Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP) track option prepares students to be eligible for certification as an Adult-Gerontology-Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP). AG-ACNPs provide direct patient management and patient care in acute and complex care settings. Clinical practicum experiences occur in acute-care settings under supervision of acute-care physicians and advanced practice providers for a minimum of 750 direct-care hours. The program is typically completed in nine semesters.

The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track option prepares students to be eligible for certification as an Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). FNPs provide primary care services to patients and families across the lifespan. Clinical practicum experiences occur in primary care settings under supervision of qualified preceptors for a minimum of 750 direct-care hours. The program is typically completed in nine semesters.

The nine-semester Nurse Anesthesia (NA) program is a unique collaboration between OhioHealth and Ohio University that prepares students to be eligible for certification as a Nurse Anesthetist. This intense and selective program admits a small yearly cohort and requires both in-person and online participation. Clinical practicum experiences occur in clinical settings under supervision of qualified preceptors for a minimum of 2300 direct-care hours. In order to complete these requirements, students attend courses full-time and are expected to attend practicum outside of traditional school and business hours.

The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) track option prepares students to be eligible for certification as a PMHNP. The PMHNP provides psychiatric mental health care services to patients across the lifespan. Clinical practicum experiences occur in mental health care settings under supervision of qualified preceptors for a minimum of 750 direct-care hours. The program is typically completed in nine semesters.

Advanced Nursing Role Focus

The Nurse Educator/Nurse Leader (NE/NL) track option prepares students to be eligible for certification as a National League for Nursing Certified Nurse Educator (CNE); it also prepares students for an advanced role in nursing and health care management. Practicum experiences occur in academic, direct-care, and nursing/healthcare leadership settings under supervision of qualified preceptors for a minimum of 750 direct-care hours. The program is typically completed in twelve semesters.

The Nurse Leader (NL) track option prepares students for the advanced role of nursing and health care management. This specialty is designed to prepare nurses at the graduate level to manage the delivery of nursing and health care services across the spectrum of health care settings. Graduates acquire the breadth of management knowledge and skills needed to perform effectively and assume leadership positions in health care delivery organizations. Practicum experiences occur in nursing/healthcare leadership settings under supervision of qualified preceptors for a minimum of 750 direct-care hours. The program is typically completed in nine semesters.

Program Learning Outcomes 

Upon graduation, students will have earned the DNP and a graduate certificate in their specialty focus, if applicable, for eligibility to complete a national certification examination. Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

1. Translate knowledge from nursing and other disciplines as a basis for clinical judgment and innovative evidence-based education, practice, and research.
2. Translates evidence-based practice to lead in the delivery of person-centered care to enhance health outcomes and improve health systems.
3. Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams using the principles of population health to design and evaluate interventions that optimize health outcomes and enhance advocacy strategies for individuals, families and communities and populations.
4. Integrate, evaluate, and generate evidence-based practice and research to inform and promote advanced clinical practice.
5. Design and apply evidence-based practice healthcare strategies that promote quality healthcare and mitigate risk for individuals, families, communities, and healthcare providers within a culture of safety and respect
6. Facilitate interprofessional collaboration using principles of team dynamics to promote quality healthcare strategies that optimize the health of individuals, families, and populations within complex healthcare environments.
7. Apply evidence-based, innovative strategies based on organizational and systems policies to create change and enhance value, access, quality, and cost effectiveness within complex healthcare delivery systems.
8. Synthesize information literacy skills in complex data-driven decision-making and provision of care in accordance with ethical, legal, professional, and regulatory standards and practices.
9. Cultivate a sustainable professional identity incorporating accountability, collaboration, and comportment in advanced practice nursing that promotes person-centered care.
10. Foster an environment that promotes self-care, personal health, well-being, and professional development in a culture of accountability and collaboration.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the standard Graduate College admission requirements, potential students must supply/document the following:

• For the BSN-to-DNP Program, students are required to have a completed US-equivalent Bachelor of Science of Nursing (BSN).
• For the MSN-to-DNP Program, students must have completed a US-equivalent Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN) by the time of enrollment.
• Minimum grade point average of 3.20 for unconditional admission
• Statement of professional goals
• Resume or CV
• Three letters of recommendation from individuals who are knowledgeable about the applicant’s ability to complete graduate-level coursework and practice abilities. A minimum of 2 of these must be from individuals prepared at or above the Master’s level. One must be from an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse or Registered Nurse.
• Resident of and evidence of valid, unencumbered RN licensure in an approved state (https://www.ohio.edu/chsp/nursing/graduate/masters/msn-application-process)
• Evidence of the equivalent of two years full time experience working as an RN within the past five years
• A web-based admission interview with faculty
• Upon admission, students should be prepared to provide documentation of any precepted practicum/clinical hours earned through a graduate nursing program

Addtional requirements for BSN-to-DNP Nurse Anesthesia

• Evidence of the equivalent of two years full time experience working as an RN within the past five years; including a minimum of one (1) year full-time experience (or its part-time equivalent) as a registered nurse in a critical care setting within the last three years by the application deadline.
• Current ACLS and CCRN certification required by application deadline
• Upon admission and prior to the start of the program, students must also provide proof of the following: 
  • Specified health status requirements (immunization status, TB screening, etc. as delineated in the current Graduate Nursing Student Handbook)
  • State and Federal background checks free from disqualifying offenses
  • Documentation of clearances required by affiliation contracts, such as Office of Inspector General, National Sex Offender Registry, etc. 
  • Drug Screen 
  • Payment of $1,000 non-refundable matriculation fee
  • Signing of Disclosure and Consent Forms

International Students

Graduation Requirements

Students holding the MSN degree must complete a minimum of 36 credit hours and a total of 1000 individualized faculty-supervised practicum hours. Students holding only a BSN must complete a minimum of 70 credit hours. Students in the Nurse Anthesist BSN-to-DNP track will complete 103 credits. Course are not necessarily completed in the order listed).