New Doctor Of Nursing Practice Program Begins At Metropolitan State University

Main Category: Medical Students / Training
Also Included In: Nursing / Midwifery
Article Date: 12 Nov 2007 - 2:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   view / write opinions   rate article

Individuals with a master's degree in nursing can now gain advanced clinical and leadership competencies through a new Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at Metropolitan State University. The first students were admitted for enrollment in the Fall 2007 semester.

The DNP program is a collaboration within the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System, approved by the Higher learning Commission, and involves a consortium of four schools: Metropolitan State; Minnesota State University, Mankato; Winona State University and Minnesota State University Moorhead. Students from all four universities progress together as a cohort.

"Graduates of our DNP program will be able to influence health care in many ways by providing leadership on the front lines of their profession," said Marilyn Loen, Dean of the newly expanded College of Nursing and Health Sciences. "They will be able to evaluate clinical outcomes more effectively through the use of evidence-based practice, identify and manage the health care needs of special populations and extend their use of technology and information to transform health care systems."

Tuition for the new DNP program is $650 per credit, with approximately seven credits scheduled per semester. Ideal candidates for the new DNP program are nurse executives, nurse informaticians, nurse educators, clinical nurse specialists, nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists and nurse practitioners.

The DNP program curriculum is structured around the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials of Doctoral Education. Course content builds upon the master's degree and consists of a minimum of 36 credits. Five semesters of doctoral level coursework end with completion of an evidence-based clinical capstone project. Throughout the course sequence, students work with clinical experts and graduate faculty who have expertise in applied research.

"Much of the work will be done through distance learning, something in which Metropolitan State excels," said Loen. "We are committed to serving the diverse and growing population of this community, especially those adults whose educational needs are not being met by traditional programs. In recent years, we have added to the number of innovative and individualized approaches we offer students, including a growing number of online programs and degrees."

Metropolitan State University, a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System, provides high-quality, affordable academic and professional degree programs at the bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels. It is the only state university in the Twin Cities metropolitan area.

Metropolitan State University