A Doctor of Nursing Practice degree is just a click away.
In 2004, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) endorsed the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, which represents the terminal degree in the field. An April 2008 fact sheet by the AACN reported 92 DNP programs nationwide, with 102 programs in the planning stages. Some schools offer these programs exclusively online, giving nurses the flexibility to balance school, work and family life.
History
In March 2002, the AACN commissioned a task force to "examine the status of clinical or practice doctoral programs," in order to make recommendations for future development. Most significantly, the task force recommended developing a doctoral program for those nurses who want to pursue a terminal degree but prefer to focus on practice rather than research. By offering multiple terminal degrees in the field, the AACN hoped to encourage more nurses to earn these degrees. In October 2004, the AACN formally endorsed these recommendations, paving the way for the Doctor in Nursing Practice program.
Admissions
Students interested in a Doctor of Nursing program should have a bachelor's or master's degree in nursing. While some schools, like the University of Massachusetts Amherst, admit students after their undergraduate career, most schools, like West Virginia University, require a graduate degree in nursing. Students can expect to submit professional or academic references, a curriculum vitae or resume and proof of their Registered Nurse (RN) license as well.
Curriculum
A program's required credit hours vary by school and by the student's academic background. However, students across programs take core courses, and many schools offer specializations. Core courses at St. Louis University include Health Care Delivery Systems, Leadership in Healthcare and Principles of Epidemiology. The University of Massachusetts Amherst allows students to choose a specialization, including Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner or Public Health Nurse Leader.
Computer Requirements
In order to complete their online coursework, students must meet the program's specific computer requirements. At a minimum, students should have a Windows operating system with audio and video capabilities since students will often listen to and participate in lectures online. Often, a web cam is another requirement so that students can interact with their peers in this virtual environment. In addition, some schools expect students to complete tutorials to familiarize themselves with the online-learning process. Before enrollment, students at West Virginia University must complete several assignments that teach them about virtual learning.
Campus Visits
Although students will complete their coursework exclusively online in these programs, some schools require students to visit campus on occasion to complete tasks that they cannot perform via the Internet. St. Louis University expects students to visit campus twice---first to complete an orientation before the program begins and then to present their capstone project later in the program. West Virginia University requires applicants to complete an interview and a written exercise before admission. These activities take place at the school's Morgantown and Charleston campuses, although out-of-state students can opt for a teleconference instead.
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