Nursing

MSUM Doctor of Nursing Practice Consortium Graduate

A recent MnSCU Doctor of Nursing Practice Consortium graduate won first place (in the education category) on her poster, "Use of Case Studies to Promote Diffusion in Management of Aggression Staff Training" at the American Psychiatric Nurse's Association's national conference in Charleston, S.C. Rita Ray-Mihm's poster was based on her DNP capstone project, completed as a part of the DNP Consortium program. She graduated from MSU Moorhead in May 2009.

Overview of Doctor of Nursing Practice

The DNP is offered as a collaborative program through a consortium of four universities in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system: Minnesota State University Moorhead; Minnesota State University, Mankato; Winona State University; and Metropolitan State University. The program is fully approved by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association, the accrediting agency for higher education in this region.

This new degree program is for nurses with a master’s degree in nursing who wish to gain the advanced clinical, organizational, economic, and leadership competencies necessary in an increasingly complex healthcare environment. It was developed in response to the recommendations of national groups such as the Institute of Medicine, American Association of Colleges of Nursing, and the Pew Charitable Trust.

Recommendations published by these groups include: 

  • Place greater emphasis on practice (development of clinical knowledge and skills) in advanced degree programs
  • Include preparation for teaching as an essential component of expert practice
  • Emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration
  • Re-envision the doctorate in nursing because the PhD research degree is too narrow to meet society's needs


The practice doctorate (DNP) prepares nurses to make contributions to evidence-based practice through professional leadership and scholarly practice and to function as clinical educators of future nurses. This neither replaces nor competes with the purpose of PhD programs in nursing which focus on preparing research scientists who make contributions to society through research leadership in academia or other research environments.

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 didactic and clinical coursework culminates in completion of an evidence-based clinical capstone project. Throughout the course sequence, students will work with clinical experts and graduate faculty with expertise in applied research. A variety of teaching and learning approaches, primarily distance learning, will be used.


Graduates of MSUM’s DNP program will be able to influence health care in many ways, such as:

  • Providing leadership on the front lines of their profession
  • Evaluating cliical outcomes more effectively through the use of evidence-based practice tools
  • Identifying and managing the health care needs of special populations
  • Using technology and information to transform health care systems.

 


ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS 

1. Graduation with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, from a CCNE or NLNAC accredited master's program in nursing.

2. Registered nurse licensure in the state where you expect to conduct your clinical practicum

3. Eligibility for licensure in Minnesota

4. National certification if required for practice (Nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse anesthetist, and nurse midwife)

5. Professional references (2) from a supervisor and from an advanced practice peer who can comment on the applicant's background and suitability for doctoral study.

6. Goal Statement (See guidelines on application form)

7. Resume (See guidelines)

8. An interview with DNP faculty may be requested following review of the application.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: 

1. Completed Program Application for admission to the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program

2. Official copies of transcript(s) from each institution attended for graduate study. NOTE: If unofficial copies of graduate transcripts are available, please include in the application. This will expedite application review until official transcripts are received.

3. Evidence of current unencumbered license as a Registered Nurse from the state(s) where clinical practicum will be conducted.

4. References in sealed envelopes (See instructions on reference form or on application form.)

5. Goal statement

6. Resume

7. Official copy of TOEFL score if international student

8. $40 Non-refundable application fee should be included with application, all sent to MSU, Mankato.

THE APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR THE FALL 2009 CLASS HAS BEEN EXTENDED.  APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED UNTIL THE CLASS IS FILLED.