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The School of Nursing offers the Doctor of Nursing Practice with a Family Nurse Practitioner or Psychiatric Mental Health Practitioner specialty.
Accreditation
The School of Nursing is a member of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and is approved by the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission. The D.N.P. program has received initial approval by the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission. The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) curriculum meets requirements for national certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner. The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner curriculum meets eligibility requirements for national certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
D.N.P. Application Priority Deadlines
D.N.P. candidates may apply for admission at any time during the year. However, application by the priority deadline will enhance the applicant’s potential for admission and for arranging financial assistance.
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- B.S.N. to D.N.P.: November 15/Rolling admissions for the following Summer (June)
- Post-master’s to D.N.P.: February 15/Rolling admissions for the following Summer (June)
- Post-master’s to D.N.P.: March 1/Rolling admission for the following Fall (September)
- Post-master’s to D.N.P.: December 1/Rolling admissions for the following J-term or Spring
Admission Criteria
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- B.S.N. to D.N.P.: Hold a baccalaureate degree in nursing from a nationally accredited school of nursing.
- M.S.N. to D.N.P. post-master’s: Completion of a master’s degree in nursing from a nationally-accredited school of nursing.
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (B) on a 4.00 scale for all college work.
- Submission of PLU Graduate Application forms and $55 non-refundable fee.
- Official transcripts from each college and university attended.
- Professional résumé.
- Statement of professional goals.
- Two letters of recommendation.
- Submission of School of Nursing Addenda packet, which includes:
- Questions Relative to Licensure;
- Policy/Procedures for students who are transferring from another School of Nursing graduate program;
- Policy/Procedures Regarding English Proficiency; and
- Physical/Psychological Expectations of Nurses preparing for Professional Practice.
- Civil, administrative and criminal history clearance in all states as well as any other applicable territory or country.
- Fluency in speaking, reading, writing and comprehending graduate-level English (see policy and procedures in the Graduate Application Addendum).
- Direct care RN experience preferred, but not required.
Advance Deposit
There are limitations on the number of students accepted into the D.N.P. program each year. Applicants accepted into the program are required to make a non-refundable $300 advance tuition payment to confirm their acceptance of an offer of admission within three weeks of their acceptance date.
Program Requirements
All admitted D.N.P. students must provide valid documentation of the following by designated dates and before enrollment in any practicum/clinical course:
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- Unrestricted licensure as a registered nurse in the State of Washington
- Immunization and health status;
- CPR certification;
- Comprehensive personal health insurance; and
- Civil, administrative, and criminal history clearance in all states, as well as any other applicable territory or country.
Drug Testing Policy
All nursing students will be required to submit to a drug, marijuana and alcohol screening at least once yearly as part of their continuing School of Nursing health requirements. Students may be required to submit to additional drug screenings as required by the clinical agencies and School of Nursing. The screenings may be scheduled or they may occur at random and unannounced. Students will be expected to adhere to any deadline set by the agencies and/or the School of Nursing.
Advising
The associate dean for graduate nursing programs for the School of Nursing typically completes initial advising and program planning with applicants and admitted students. Post-master’s students will meet with the Associate Dean for Graduate Nursing Programs to conduct a Gap Analysis of previous master’s coursework and develop a plan of study to meet the D.N.P. degree requirements. D.N.P. applicants are strongly encouraged to attend one of the regularly scheduled information sessions and review the website. Upon matriculation, all students are assigned a graduate faculty advisor.
Non-Matriculated Students
B.S.N. or M.S.N.-prepared registered nurses may, with permission of the Associate Dean for Graduate Nursing Programs, enroll in up to nine semester hours of D.N.P. courses on a non-matriculated basis with School of Nursing approval. Non-matriculated students are, by definition, non-degree seeking individuals, and there is no guarantee that non-matriculated students will eventually be admitted. Non-matriculated students must formally apply to, and be accepted to, the D.N.P. program if they want to seek a D.N.P. degree. For more information on non-matriculated status, see the Graduate School policies.
D.N.P. Program for B.S.N. (Prepared Registered Nurses)
D.N.P. Program for B.S.N. (Prepared Registered Nurses)
The Doctor of Nursing Practice program is designed for nurses seeking a terminal degree at the highest level of nursing practice. The sequence of study recognizes the academic and professional success of the baccalaureate degree as the groundwork for graduate study. A limited number of candidates are admitted each year and admission is competitive.
The PLU Doctor of Nursing Practice degree prepares graduates in the advanced practice specialty area of Family Nurse Practitioner or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Graduates are able to develop and evaluate quality within a health system, collaborate with inter-professional teams to improve health outcomes, and be leaders in the nursing profession. The D.N.P curriculum consists of the M.S.N core coursework (theory, advanced practice roles, evaluation and outcomes research, leadership and management, and advanced health promotion), D.N.P core coursework (information systems and patient care technology, epidemiology, analytical methods, translating research into practice, and health policy), a D.N.P. Scholarly Project and the specialty track coursework for either the Family Nurse Practitioner or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner specialty.
- The Family Nurse Practitioner specialty core coursework focuses on client-centered clinical practice, and prepares nurses to respond to the needs of today’s and tomorrow’s health care consumers, to manage direct care based on advanced assessment and diagnostic reasoning, to incorporate health promotion and disease prevention interventions into health care delivery, and to recognize their potential for professional growth, responsibility, and autonomy. Successful completion of the D.N.P. Family Nurse Practitioner program qualifies students to sit for national certification examinations for Family Nurse Practitioner, making them eligible under Washington State law for Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) licensure.
- The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner specialty coursework prepares nurses to provide comprehensive mental health, psychiatric and addictions care at the advanced practice level in hospitals, outpatient, and community settings. Scope of practice includes advanced practice psychiatric-mental health nursing assessment, psychopharmacology, group, individual and family therapy and advanced nursing interventions across the lifespan. Successful completion of the D.N.P. Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner track qualifies students to sit for national certification examinations for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, making them eligible under Washington State law for Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) licensure.
Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree Requirements
80 semester hours
Prerequisite Course: Introductory Statistics (including inferential and descriptive) with a minimum grade of 3.0 (B).
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- M.S.N. Courses
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- NURS 523: Roles of the Advanced Nurse (3)
- NURS 524: Advanced Health Promotion (2)
- NURS 525: Theoretical Foundations (3)
- NURS 526: Nursing Leadership and Management (3)
- NURS 527: Evaluation and Outcomes Research (3)
- NURS 530: Resource Management (3)
- NURS 531: Care & Outcomes Manager Practicum I (3)
- NURS 540: Illness and Disease Management (2)
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- M.S.N. Courses
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- Family Nurse Practitioner Core Courses
The F.N.P. core courses may have required clinical hours and must be taken in a prescribed sequence.
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- NURS 580: Advanced Pathophysiology (3)
- NURS 582: Advanced Health Assessment (3)
- NURS 583: Clinical Pharmacotherapeutics (3)
- NURS 584: Family Nurse Practitioner I (5)
- NURS 585: Family Nurse Practitioner II (5)
- NURS 561: Management of Mental Health Conditions in Primary Care (2)
- NURS 562: Primary Care Management of Women and Children (4)
- NURS 563: Primary Care Procedures (1)
- NURS 594: Family Nurse Practitioner Clinical Capstone (3)
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- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Core Courses
The P.M.H.N.P core courses may have required clinical hours and must be taken in a prescribed sequence.
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- NURS 580: Advanced Pathophysiology (3)
- NURS 582: Advanced Health Assessment (3)
- NURS 583: Clinical Pharmacotherapeutics (3)
- NURS 651: Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan (3)
- NURS 652: Management of Substance-related and Addictive Disorders (2)
- NURS 653: PMHNP I: Psychopathology, Assessment, Diagnosis and Management Across the Lifespan (7)
- NURS 654: PMHNP II: Psychopathology, Assessment, Diagnosis and Management Across the Lifespan (6)
- NURS 655: PMHNP III: Psychotherapies Across the Lifespan (4)
- NURS 656: PMHNP IV: Psychotherapies Across the Lifespan (4)
- NURS 657: PMHNP Capstone (4)
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- Doctor of Nursing Practice Core Courses
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- NURS 623: Information Systems and Patient Care Technology (3)
- NURS 625: Applied Epidemiology and Biostatistics for Nursing Practice (3)
- NURS 630: Analytical Methods for Evidence-Based Practice (3)
- NURS 631: Translating Research: Improving Practice and Outcomes (3)
- NURS 627: Policy and Politics: Implications for Health Care (3)
- NURS 695: Transition to D.N.P. Practice (1)
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- Doctor of Nursing Practice Core Courses
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- Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Project Courses
The D.N.P. Scholarly Project courses must be taken in the prescribed sequence.
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- NURS 681: D.N.P. Scholarly Proposal Seminar: Planning (2)
- NURS 682: D.N.P. Scholarly Project: Implementation I (3)
- NURS 683: D.N.P. Scholarly Project: Implementation II (2)
- NURS 684: D.N.P. Scholarly Project: Evaluation and Dissemination (4)
- NURS 699: D.N.P. Scholarly Project: Capstone (2)
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Post-Master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree for Advanced Practice Nurses
The post-master’s D.N.P. degree builds on the master’s degree in advanced practice nursing (Nurse Practitioner, Certified Nurse Midwife, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist). Students complete the D.N.P. Core and D.N.P. Scholarly Project coursework. A Gap Analysis is conducted to determine what previous coursework meets the D.N.P. competencies and which additional courses will be required for the PLU D.N.P. degree.
Post-Master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree for Those Seeking a Family Nurse Practitioner or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Specialty
The post-master’s D.N.P. for master’s-prepared nurses who wish to complete the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) specialty builds on master’s level coursework, with the student completing the FNP or PMHNP specialty core, the D.N.P. Core and the D.N.P. Scholarly Project coursework at PLU. A Gap Analysis is conducted to determine what previous coursework meets the D.N.P. competencies and which additional courses will be required for the PLU D.N.P. degree.
D.N.P. Family Nurse Practitioner Sample Curriculum
36 months
80 semester hours
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- First Year: Summer
- NURS 623: Information Systems and Patient Care Technology (3)
- NURS 625: Applied Epidemiology and Biostatistics for Nursing Practice (3)
- First Year: Summer
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- First Year: Fall
- NURS 523: Roles of the Advanced Nurse (3)
- NURS 525: Theoretical Foundations (3)
- NURS 526: Nursing Leadership and Management (3)
- First Year: Fall
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- First Year: J-term
- NURS 524: Advanced Health Promotion (2)
- NURS 540: Illness/Disease Management (2)
- First Year: J-term
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- First Year: Spring
- NURS 527: Evaluation and Outcomes Research (3)
- NURS 531: Care & Outcomes Manager Practicum I (3)
- NURS 630: Analytical Methods for Evidence Based Practice (3)
- First Year: Spring
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- Second Year: Summer
- NURS 580: Advanced Pathophysiology (3)
- NURS 582: Advanced Health Assessment (3)
- NURS 583: Clinical Pharmacotherapeutics (3)
- Second Year: Summer
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- Second Year: Fall
- NURS 561: Management of Mental Health Conditions in Primary Care (2)
- NURS 563: Primary Care Procedures (1)
- NURS 584: Family Nurse Practitioner I (5)
- Second Year: Fall
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- Second Year: J-term
- Optional International/Global Elective
- Second Year: J-term
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- Second Year: Spring
- NURS 530: Resource Management (3)
- NURS 585: Family Nurse Practitioner II (5)
- NURS 631: Translating Research: Improving Practice and Outcomes (3)
- Second Year: Spring
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- Third Year: Summer
- NURS 562: Primary Care Management of Women and Children (4)
- NURS 681: D.N.P. Scholarly Proposal Seminar: Planning (2)
- Third Year: Summer
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- Third Year: Fall
- NURS 594: Family Nurse Practitioner Clinical Capstone (3)
- NURS 627: Policy and Politics: Implications for Health Care (3)
- NURS 682: D.N.P. Scholarly Project: Implementation I (3)
- Third Year: Fall
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- Third Year: J-term
- NURS 683: D.N.P. Scholarly Project: Implementation II (2)
- Third Year: J-term
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- Third Year: Spring
- NURS 684: D.N.P. Scholarly Project: Evaluation and Dissemination (4)
- NURS 695: Transition to D.N.P. Practice (1)
- NURS 699: D.N.P. Scholarly Project: Capstone (2)
- Third Year: Spring
D.N.P. Family Nurse Practitioner Sample Curriculum (Part-Time Option)
48 months
80 semester hours
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- First Year: Summer
- NURS 623: Information Systems and Patient Care Technology (3)
- NURS 625: Applied Epidemiology and Biostatistics for Nursing Practice (3)
- First Year: Summer
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- First Year: Fall
- NURS 523: Roles of the Advanced Nurse (3)
- NURS 525: Theoretical Foundations (3)
- First Year: Fall
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- First Year: J-term
- NURS 524: Advanced Health Promotion (2)
- NURS 540: Illness/Disease Management (2)
- First Year: J-term
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- First Year: Spring
- NURS 527: Evaluation and Outcomes Research (3)
- NURS 531: Care & Outcomes Manager Practicum I (3)
- First Year: Spring
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- Second Year: Summer
- NURS 580: Advanced Pathophysiology (3)
- Second Year: Summer
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- Second Year: Fall
- NURS 526: Nursing Leadership and Management (3)
- NURS 627: Policy and Politics: Implications for Health Care (3)
- Second Year: Fall
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- Second Year: Spring
- NURS 530: Resource Management (3)
- NURS 630: Analytical Methods for Evidence-Based Practice (3)
- Second Year: Spring
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- Third Year: Summer
- NURS 582: Advanced Health Assessment (3)
- NURS 583: Clinical Pharmacotherapeutics (3)
- Third Year: Summer
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- Third Year: Fall
- NURS 561: Management of Mental Health Conditions in Primary Care (2)
- NURS 563: Primary Care Procedures (1)
- NURS 584: Family Nurse Practitioner I (5)
- Third Year: Fall
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- Third Year: J-term
- Optional International/Global Elective
- Third Year: J-term
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- Third Year: Spring
- NURS 585: Family Nurse Practitioner II (5)
- NURS 631: Translating Research: Improving Practice and Outcomes (3)
- Third Year: Spring
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- Fourth Year: Summer
- NURS 562: Primary Care Management of Women and Children (4)
- NURS 681: D.N.P. Scholarly Proposal Seminar: Planning (2)
- Fourth Year: Summer
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- Fourth Year: Fall
- NURS 594: Family Nurse Practitioner Clinical Capstone (3)
- NURS 682: D.N.P. Scholarly Project: Implementation I (3)
- Fourth Year: Fall
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- Fourth Year: J-term
- NURS 683: D.N.P. Scholarly Project: Implementation II (2)
- Fourth Year: J-term
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- Fourth Year: Spring
- NURS 684: D.N.P. Scholarly Project: Evaluation and Dissemination (4)
- NURS 695: Transition to D.N.P. Practice (1)
- NURS 699: D.N.P. Scholarly Project: Capstone (2)
- Fourth Year: Spring
D.N.P. Post-Master's Sample Curriculum - Students Who Are Already Advanced Practice Nurses
24 months, part-time
30 semester hours (minimum*)
*A Gap Analysis will be conducted to determine what additional coursework the student will need to meet the AACN D.N.P. Essentials competencies.
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- First Year: Summer
- NURS 623: Information Systems and Patient Care Technology (3)
- NURS 625: Applied Epidemiology and Biostatistics for Nursing Practice (3)
- First Year: Summer
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- First Year: Fall
- NURS 627: Policy and Politics: Implications for Health Care (3)
- First Year: Fall
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- First Year: J-Term
- Optional International/Global Elective
- First Year: J-Term
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- First Year: Spring
- NURS 630: Analytical Methods for Evidence-Based Practice (3)
- NURS 631: Translating Research: Improving Practice and Outcomes (3)
- First Year: Spring
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- Second Year: Summer
- NURS 681: D.N.P. Scholarly Proposal Seminar: Planning (2)
- Second Year: Summer
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- Second Year: Fall
- NURS 682: D.N.P. Scholarly Project: Implementation I (3)
- Second Year: Fall
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- Second Year: J-Term
- NURS 683: D.N.P. Scholarly Project: Implementation II (2)
- Second Year: J-Term
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- Second Year: Spring
- NURS 684: D.N.P. Scholarly Project: Evaluation and Dissemination (4)
- NURS 695: Transition to D.N.P. Practice (1)
- NURS 699: D.N.P. Scholarly Project: Capstone (2)
- Second Year: Spring
D.N.P. Post-Master's Family Nurse Practitioner Sample Curriculum
24 months
56 semester hours (minimum*)
*A Gap Analysis will be conducted to determine what additional coursework the student will need to meet the AACN D.N.P. Essentials competencies.
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- First Year: Summer
- NURS 582: Advanced Health Assessment (3)
- NURS 583: Clinical Pharmacotherapeutics (3)
- NURS 625: Applied Epidemiology and Biostatistics for Nursing Practice (3)
- First Year: Summer
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- First Year: Fall
- NURS 561: Management of Mental Health Conditions in Primary Care (2)
- NURS 584: Family Nurse Practitioner I (5)
- NURS 627: Policy and Politics: Implications for Health Care (3)
- First Year: Fall
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- First Year: J-Term
- Optional International/Global Elective
- First Year: J-Term
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- First Year: Spring
- NURS 585: Family Nurse Practitioner II (5)
- NURS 630: Analytical Methods for Evidence-Based Practice (3)
- NURS 631: Translating Research: Improving Practice and Outcomes (3)
- First Year: Spring
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- Second Year: Summer
- NURS 562: Primary Care Management of Women and Children (4)
- NURS 623: Information Systems and Patient Care Technology (3)
- NURS 681: D.N.P. Scholarly Proposal Seminar: Planning (2)
- Second Year: Summer
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- Second Year: Fall
- NURS 594: Family Nurse Practitioner Clinical Capstone (3)
- NURS 682: D.N.P. Scholarly Project: Implementation I (3)
- Second Year: Fall
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- Second Year: J-Term
- NURS 683: D.N.P. Scholarly Project: Implementation II (2)
- Second Year: J-Term
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- Second Year: Spring
- NURS 684: D.N.P. Scholarly Project: Evaluation and Dissemination (4)
- NURS 695: Transition to D.N.P. Practice (1)
- NURS 699: D.N.P. Scholarly Project: Capstone (2)
- Second Year: Spring
D.N.P. Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Sample Curriculum
36 months
90 semester hours
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- First Year: Summer
- NURS 623: Information Systems and Patient Care Technology (3)
- NURS 625: Applied Epidemiology and Biostatistics for Nursing Practice (3)
- First Year: Summer
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- First Year: Fall
- NURS 523: Roles of the Advanced Nurse (3)
- NURS 525: Theoretical Foundations (3)
- NURS 526: Nursing Leadership and Management (3)
- First Year: Fall
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- First Year: J-Term
- NURS 524: Advanced Health Promotion (2)
- NURS 540: Illness/Disease Management (2)
- First Year: J-Term
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- First Year: Spring
- NURS 527: Evaluation and Outcomes Research (3)
- NURS 531: Care & Outcomes Manager Practicum I (3)
- NURS 630: Analytical Methods for Evidence Based Practice (3)
- First Year: Spring
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- Second Year: Summer
- NURS 580: Advanced Pathophysiology (3)
- NURS 582: Advanced Health Assessment (3)
- NURS 583: Clinical Pharmacotherapeutics (3)
- Second Year: Summer
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- Second Year: Fall
- NURS 653 PMHNP I: Psychopathology, Assessment, Diagnosis and Management Across the Lifespan (7)
- NURS 651: Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan (3)
- Second Year: Fall
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- Second Year: J-Term
- NURS 652: Management of Substance-related and Addictive Disorders (2)
- Second Year: J-Term
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- Second Year: Spring
- NURS 530: Resource Management (3)
- NURS 654: PMHNP II: Psychopathology, Assessment, Diagnosis and Management Across the Lifespan (6)
- NURS 631: Translating Research: Improving Practice and Outcomes (3)
- Second Year: Spring
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- Third Year: Summer
- NURS 655: PMHNP III: Psychotherapies Across the Lifespan (4)
- NURS 681: D.N.P. Scholarly Proposal Seminar: Planning (2)
- Third Year: Summer
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- Third Year: Fall
- NURS 656: PMHNP IV: Psychotherapies Across the Lifespan (4)
- NURS 627: Policy and Politics: Implications for Health Care (3)
- NURS 682: D.N.P. Scholarly Project: Implementation I (3)
- Third Year: Fall
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- Third Year: J-Term
- NURS 683: D.N.P. Scholarly Project: Implementation II (2)
- Third Year: J-Term
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- Third Year: Spring
- NURS 684: D.N.P. Scholarly Project: Evaluation and Dissemination (4)
- NURS 695: Transition to D.N.P. Practice (1)
- NURS 699: D.N.P. Scholarly Project: Capstone (2)
- NURS 657: PMHNP Capstone (4)
- Third Year: Spring
D.N.P. Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Sample Curriculum (Part-time Option)
48 months
90 semester hours
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- First Year: Summer
- NURS 623: Information Systems and Patient Care Technology (3)
- NURS 625: Applied Epidemiology and Biostatistics for Nursing Practice (3)
- First Year: Summer
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- First Year: Fall
- NURS 523: Roles of the Advanced Nurse (3)
- NURS 525: Theoretical Foundations (3)
- First Year: Fall
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- First Year: J-Term
- NURS 524: Advanced Health Promotion (2)
- NURS 540: Illness/Disease Management (2)
- First Year: J-Term
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- First Year: Spring
- NURS 527: Evaluation and Outcomes Research (3)
- NURS 531: Care & Outcomes Manager Practicum I (3)
- First Year: Spring
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- Second Year: Summer
- NURS 580: Advanced Pathophysiology (3)
- Second Year: Summer
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- Second Year: Fall
- NURS 526: Nursing Leadership and Management (3)
- NURS 627: Policy and Politics: Implications for Health Care (3)
- Second Year: J-Term
- Optional International/Global Elective
- Second Year: Fall
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- Second Year: Spring
- NURS 530: Resource Management (3)
- NURS 630: Analytical Methods for Evidence-based Practice (3)
- Second Year: Spring
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- Third Year: Summer
- NURS 582: Advanced Health Assessment (3)
- NURS 583: Clinical Pharmacotherapeutics (3)
- Third Year: Summer
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- Third Year: Fall
- NURS 653: PMHNP I: Psychopathology, Assessment, Diagnosis and Management Across the Lifespan (7)
- NURS 651: Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan (3)
- Third Year: Fall
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- Third Year: J-Term
- NURS 652: Management of Substance-related and Addictive Disorders (2)
- Third Year: J-Term
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- Third Year: Spring
- NURS 654: PMHNP II: Psychopathology, Assessment, Diagnosis and Management Across the Lifespan (6)
- NURS 631: Translating Research: Improving Practice and Outcomes (3)
- Third Year: Spring
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- Fourth Year: Summer
- NURS 655: PMHNP III: Psychotherapies Across the Lifespan (4)
- NURS 681: D.N.P. Scholarly Proposal Seminar: Planning (2)
- Fourth Year: Summer
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- Fourth Year: Fall
- NURS 656: PMHNP IV: Psychotherapies Across the Lifespan (4)
- NURS 682: D.N.P. Scholarly Project: Implementation I (3)
- Fourth Year: Fall
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- Fourth Year: J-Term
- NURS 683: D.N.P. Scholarly Project: Implementation II (2)
- Fourth Year: J-Term
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- Fourth Year: Spring
- NURS 684: D.N.P. Scholarly Project: Evaluation and Dissemination (4)
- NURS 695: Transition to D.N.P. Practice (1)
- NURS 699: D.N.P. Scholarly Project: Capstone (2)
- NURS 657: PMHNP Capstone (4)
- Fourth Year: Spring
D.N.P. Post-Master's Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Sample Curriculum
24 months
65 semester hours (minimum*)
*A Gap Analysis will be conducted to determine what additional coursework the student will need to meet the AACN D.N.P. Essentials competencies.
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- First Year: Summer
- NURS 582: Advanced Health Assessment (3)
- NURS 583: Clinical Pharmacotherapeutics (3)
- NURS 625: Applied Epidemiology and Biostatistics for Nursing Practice (3)
- First Year: Summer
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- First Year: Fall
- NURS 653: PMHNP I: Psychopathology, Assessment, Diagnosis and Management Across the Lifespan (7)
- NURS 651: Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan (3)
- NURS 627: Policy and Politics: Implications for Health Care (3)
- First Year: Fall
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- First Year: J-Term
- NURS 652: Management of Substance-related and Addictive Disorders (2)
- First Year: J-Term
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- First Year: Spring
- NURS 654: PMHNP II: Psychopathology, Assessment, Diagnosis and Management Across the Lifespan (6)
- NURS 630: Analytical Methods for Evidence-based Practice (3)
- NURS 631: Translating Research: Improving Practice and Outcomes (3)
- First Year: Spring
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- Second Year: Summer
- NURS 655: PMHNP III: Psychotherapies Across the Lifespan (4)
- NURS 623: Information Systems and Patient Care Technology (3)
- NURS 681: D.N.P. Scholarly Proposal Seminar: Planning (2)
- Second Year: Summer
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- Second Year: Fall
- NURS 656: PMHNP IV: Psychotherapies Across the Lifespan (4)
- NURS 682: D.N.P. Scholarly Project: Implementation I (3)
- Second Year: Fall
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- Second Year: J-Term
- NURS 683: D.N.P. Scholarly Project: Implementation II (2)
- Second Year: J-Term
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- Second Year: Spring
- NURS 684: D.N.P. Scholarly Project: Evaluation and Dissemination (4)
- NURS 695: Transition to D.N.P. Practice (1)
- NURS 699: D.N.P. Scholarly Project: Capstone (2)
- NURS 657: PMHNP Capstone (4)
- Second Year: Spring
Post-Graduate Nurse Practitioner or Psychiatric Mental Health Practitioner Certificate
The School of Nursing offers a Post-Graduate Certificate for the Family Nurse Practitioner or Psychiatric Mental Health Practitioner specialty.
Program Approval
The School of Nursing is a member of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and is approved by the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission. The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) curriculum meets requirements for national certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner. The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner curriculum meets eligibility requirements for national certification as a Psychiatric Mental health Nurse Practitioner.
Post-Graduate Certificate Application Priority Deadlines
Post-Graduate Certificate candidates may apply for admission at any time during the year. However, application by the priority deadline will enhance the applicant’s potential for admission and for arranging financial assistance.
- February 15/Rolling admission for the following Summer (June)
- March 1/Rolling admission for the following Fall (September)
Admission Criteria
- Completion of a master’s degree or doctoral degree in nursing from a nationally-accredited school of nursing.
- A minimum cumulative 3.00 GPA (B) on a 4.00 scale for all college work.
- Submission of PLU Graduate Application via Nursing CAS.
- Official transcripts from each college and university attended.
- Professional résumé.
- Statement of professional goals.
- Two letters of recommendation.
- Civil, administrative, and criminal history clearance in all states as well as any other applicable territory or country.
- Fluency in speaking, reading, writing, and comprehending graduate-level English.
Advance Deposit
There are limitations on the number of students accepted into the Post-Graduate Certificate program each year. Applicants accepted into the program are required to make a non-refundable $300 advance tuition payment to confirm their acceptance of an offer of admission within three weeks of their acceptance date.
Program Requirements
All admitted Post-Graduate Certificate students must provide valid documentation of the following by designated dates and before enrollment in any practicum/clinical course:
- Unrestricted licensure as a registered nurse in the State of Washington;
- Verification of graduation from an accredited nursing masters or doctoral program;
- Immunization and health status;
- CPR certification;
- Comprehensive personal health insurance; and
- Civil, administrative, and criminal history clearance in all states, as well as any other applicable territory or country.
Drug Testing Policy
All nursing students will be required to submit to a drug, marijuana and alcohol screening at least once yearly as part of their continuing School of Nursing health requirements. Students may be required to submit to additional drug screenings as required by the clinical agencies and School of Nursing. The screenings may be scheduled or they may occur at random and unannounced. Students will be expected to adhere to any deadline set by the agencies and/or School of Nursing.
Advising
The associate dean for graduate nursing programs for the School of Nursing typically completes initial advising and program planning with applicants and admitted students. Post-graduate students will meet with the associate dean for graduate nursing programs to conduct a Gap Analysis of previous master’s coursework and develop a plan of study to meet the Post-Masters Certificate requirements. Upon matriculation, all students are assigned a graduate faculty advisor.
Post-Graduate Nurse Practitioner or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate
The Post-Graduate Certificate prepares graduates in the advanced practice specialty areas of Family Nurse Practitioner or Psychiatric Mental health Nurse Practitioner. The curriculum consists of the specialty track coursework for the Family Nurse Practitioner or Psychiatric Mental Health nurse practitioner specialty. A Gap Analysis of previous graduate coursework will be conducted for all applicants.
The Family Nurse Practitioner specialty core coursework focuses on client-centered clinical practice, and prepares nurses to respond to the needs of today’s and tomorrow’s health care consumers, to manage direct care based on advanced assessment and diagnostic reasoning, to incorporate health promotion and disease prevention interventions into health care delivery, and to recognize their potential for professional growth, responsibility, and autonomy. Successful completion of the Family Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate program qualifies students to sit for national certification examinations for Family Nurse Practitioner, making them eligible under Washington State law for Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) licensure.
The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner specialty coursework prepared nurses to provide comprehensive mental health, psychiatric and addictions care at the advanced practice level in hospitals, outpatient, and community settings. Scope of practice includes advanced practice psychiatric-mental health nursing assessment, psychopharmacology, group, individual and family therapy and advanced nursing interventions across the lifespan. Successful completion of the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate qualifies students to sit for national certification examinations for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, making them eligible under Washington State law for Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) licensure.
Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate
31 semester hours
The F.N.P. core courses may have required clinical hours and must be taken in a prescribed sequence.
- NURS 524: Advanced Health Promotion (2)
- NURS 580: Advanced Pathophysiology (3)
- NURS 582: Advanced Health Assessment (3)
- NURS 583: Clinical Pharmacotherapeutics (3)
- NURS 584: Family Nurse Practitioner I (5)
- NURS 585: Family Nurse Practitioner II (5)
- NURS 561: Management of Mental Health Conditions in Primary Care (2)
- NURS 562: Primary Care Management of Women and Children (4)
- NURS 594: Family Nurse Practitioner Clinical Capstone (3)
- NURS 563: Primary Care Procedures (1)
Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate Sample Curriculum
18 months
31 semester hours
- First Year: Summer
- NURS 580: Advanced Pathophysiology (3)
- NURS 582: Advanced Health Assessment (3)
- NURS 583: Clinical Pharmacotherapeutics (3)
- First Year: Fall
- NURS 561: Management of Mental Health Conditions in Primary Care (2)
- NURS 584: Family Nurse Practitioner I (5)
- NURS 563: Primary Care Procedures (1)
- First Year: J-Term
- NURS 524: Advanced health Promotion (2)
- First-Year: Spring
- NURS 585: Family Nurse Practitioner II (5)
- Second Year: Summer
- NURS 562: Primary Care Management of Women and Children (4)
- Second Year: Fall
- NURS 594: Family Nurse Practitioner Clinical Capstone (3)
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (P.M.H.N.P.) Certificate
The P.M.H.N.P core courses may have required clinical hours and must be taken in a prescribed sequence.
- NURS 524: Advanced Health Promotion (2)
- NURS 580: Advanced Pathophysiology (3)
- NURS 582: Advanced Health Assessment (3)
- NURS 583: Clinical Pharmacotherapeutics (3)
- NURS 651: Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan (3)
- NURS 652: Management of Substance-related and Addictive Disorders (2)
- NURS 653: PMHNP. I: Psychopathology, Assessment, Diagnosis, and Management Across the Lifespan (7)
- NURS 654: PMHNP III: Psychopathology, Assessment, Diagnosis, and Management Across the Lifespan (6)
- NURS 655: PMHNP III: Psychotherapies Across the Lifespan (4)
- NURS 656: PMHNP IV: Psychotherapies Across the Lifespan (4)
- NURS 657: PMHNP Capstone (4)
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate Sample Curriculum
24 months
41 semester hours
- First Year: Summer
- NURS 580: Advanced Pathophysiology (3)
- NURS 582: Advanced Health Assessment (3)
- NURS 583: Clinical Pharamcotherapeutics (3)
- First Year: Fall
- NURS 653: PMHNP I: Psychopathology, Assessment, Diagnosis, and Management Across the Lifespan (7)
- NURS 651: Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan (3)
- First Year: J-Term
- NURS 652: Management of Substance-related and Addictive Disorders (2)
- NURS 524: Advanced Health Promotion (2)
- First Year: Spring
- NURS 654: PMHNP II: Psychopathology, Assessment, Diagnosis, and Management Across the Lifespan (6)
- Second Year: Summer
- NURS 655: PMHNP III: Psychotherapies Across the Lifespan (4)
- Second Year: Fall
- NURS 656: PMHNP IV: Psychotherapies Across the Lifespan (4)
- Second Year: Spring
- NURS 657: PMHNP Capstone (4)
Doctor in Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) - Graduate Courses
NURS 523 : Roles of the Advanced Nurse
Facilitates the development and transition into the advanced nursing roles through analysis of ethical, professional, social and practice perspectives. (3) (3 credits didactic)
NURS 524 : Advanced Health Promotion
Identification of health risks and protective strategies for diverse populations. (2) (2 credits didactic)
NURS 525 : Theoretical Foundations
Preparation for critique, evaluation, and use of a range of relevant theories that provide guiding perspectives for the provision of client-centered, clinically measurable advanced nursing practice. (3) (3 credits didactic)
NURS 526 : Nursing Leadership and Management
Introduction to policy, organization, and financing of health care. Preparation for provision of quality cost-effective care, participation in the design and implementation of care, and assumption of the leadership role in managing resources. (3) (3 credits didactic)
NURS 527 : Evaluation and Outcomes Research
Preparation for the critique and use of new knowledge to provide, change, and evaluate advanced nursing practice focused on client-centered, clinically demonstrable care. (3) (3 credits didactic)
NURS 530 : Resource Management
Management of resources in the planning, coordination, and/or delivery of health care with an outcome perspective at the system level. Financial and human resources and systems management will be examined from a quality perspective. (3) (3 credits didactic)
NURS 531 : Care and Outcomes Manager Practicum I
Direct and/or indirect care given in a defined specialty setting with focus on evaluation and outcomes. Includes clinical practicum of 120 hours. Prerequisite: NURS 523. (3) (1 credit didactic, 2 credits clinical)
NURS 540 : Illness and Disease Management
Builds on the foundations of pathophysiology, pharmacology, and health assessment and focuses on the attainment of positive clinical outcomes for a cohort or population. Includes clinical practicum of 30 hours. (2) (1.5 credits didactic, 0.5 credits clinical)
NURS 561 : Management of Mental Health Conditions in Primary Care
Evaluation and management of common mental health issues in primary care including mood disorders, anxiety, ADHD, substance use/abuse, suicidal ideation and self injurious behavior, etc. Assessment tools, primary care management and criteria for referral to be included. (2)
NURS 562 : Primary Care Management of Women and Children
This course covers common problems unique to women and children including pregnancy, postpartum care, gynecological conditions, perimenopausal, menopausal care, well child & adolescent care, preventive care, and common behavioral and developmental problems in children & adolescents (developmental delay, learning disabilities, autism, school issues, etc.), and cultural variations in parenting. Family and role transitions across the lifespan are explored. Includes clinical practicum of 120 hours. Prerequisite: NURS 584, NURS 585. (4) (2 credits didactic, 2 credits clinical)
NURS 563 : Primary Care Procedures
Provide the family nurse practitioner student with a range of office-based skills including the ability to understand, manage, and perform common primary care procedures. Prerequisite: NURS 582. (1 credit lab) (1)
NURS 580 : Advanced Pathophysiology
Focuses on normal physiologic and pathologic mechanisms of disease. Primary components of the foundation for clinical assessment, decision making, and management. (3) (3 credits didactic)
NURS 582 : Advanced Health Assessment
Development and performance of the skills needed for advanced health assessment of individuals, families, or communities throughout the lifespan. Includes clinical practicum of 30 hours. Prerequisite: basic health assessment skills. (3) (2 credits didactic, and 1 credit lab.)
NURS 583 : Clinical Pharmacotherapeutics
Focuses on the pharmacokinetic basis for and pharmacotherapeutic management of simple and complex disease processes. Includes ethical, legal, and procedural aspects of prescriptive authority. Prerequisite or corequisite: NURS 580. (3) (3 credits didactic)
NURS 584 : Family Nurse Practitioner I
Application of theory and research in the management of health problems across the lifespan. Demonstration of diagnostic reasoning related to health care conditions. Includes clinical practicum of 195 hours. Prerequisites: NURS 582 and prerequisite or corequisite NURS 583. (5) (2 credits didactic, 3 credits clinical)
NURS 585 : Family Nurse Practitioner II
Application of theory and research in the management of increasingly complex health problems across the lifespan. Demonstration of diagnostic reasoning for a wide range of acute and chronic conditions. Seminar and clinical. Includes clinical practicum of 195 hours. Prerequisite: NURS 584. (5) (2 credits didactic, 3 credits clinical)
NURS 591 : Independent Study
Opportunities for advanced study in selected topic related to student's area of interest. Consent of dean required. (1 to 4)
NURS 594 : Family Nurse Practitioner Clinical Capstone
This clinical course and seminar are designed as the culminating clinical course in the Family Nurse Practitioner program. Students will demonstrate the ability to provide novice-level primary care to chronic, complex patients with multiple co-morbidities. Professional practice issues including conflict resolution, contract negotiation and obligations for certification and licensure are included. Students will develop an individual learning plan for clinical practicum that includes identifying gaps in Family Nurse Practitioner competencies. This course includes 120 clinical hours. Prerequisite: NURS 582, 584, 585, N561 (MH), N562 WH/Peds. (3) (1 credit didactic, 2 credits clinical)
NURS 623 : Information Systems and Patient Care Technology
This course is designed to provide the student with the knowledge and skills regarding the uses of information technology to support evidence-based nursing practice. The course focuses on the development of knowledge and technical skills to use data management systems and technological resources for decision-making, implementation of quality improvement initiatives, and evaluation of patient care technologies. The course includes use of systems analysis, consumer use of informatics for health care information, and consideration of ethical, regulatory, and legal issues. (3) (3 credits didactic)
NURS 625 : Applied Epidemiology and Biostatistics for Nursing Practice
Application of epidemiology and biostatistics to guide evidence based practice in health care, analysis of epidemiological, biostatistical, environmental, and other appropriate data related to individual, aggregate, and population health. Using public data sources to understand and to address health concerns, students will design population-based health promotion and disease prevention activities to support national and international goals of improving global health. (3) (3 credits didactic)
NURS 627 : Policy and Politics: Implications for Health Care
Principles of policy and the influence of the political process as a systematic approach to health care in the United States and internationally. The interdependence of policy and practice will be evaluated, with a focus on the challenges of engaging and influencing health policy locally, nationally and globally. Students will analyze the ethical, legal, economic, and sociocultural factors influencing policy development. Health policy frameworks are analyzed from governmental, organizational, and clinical practice perspectives. (3) (3 credits didactic)
NURS 630 : Analytical Methods for Evidence-Based Practice
Use of analytical methods required to evaluate research to guide evidence based practice. Students locate, critically evaluate and synthesize evidence from qualitative and quantitative studies that support improvement of outcomes in diverse populations. Students will identify appropriate practice questions and determine the appropriate method(s) to design and evaluate outcomes. Prerequisite: statistics course. (3) (3 credits didactic)
NURS 631 : Translating Research: Improving Practice and Outcomes
Students will develop strategies for translating research findings into sustainable improvements in patient and clinical outcomes for a diverse population. The use of information technology and inter-professional collaboration will be emphasized. Models used to guide the process of implementing and evaluating evidence-based practice change will be examined. (3) (3 credits didactic)
NURS 651 : Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan
Focuses on the principles of psychiatric pharmacotherapy across the lifespan, biological mechanisms of action of psychotropic drugs and the role of the advanced practice psych iatric nurse prescriber. The neurobiological underpinnings of symptom etiology and treatment will form the basis of clinical decision-making in all phases of psychopharmacological treatment, for child/adolescent, adult, and geriatric populations. Prerequisite: NURS 583. (3)
NURS 652 : Management of Substance-related and Addictive Disorders
Provides an integrated approach to the neurobiology, assessment, diagnosis, and clinical management of substance-related and addictive disorders across the lifespan. Prerequisite: approval of course faculty. (2)
NURS 653 : PMHNP I: Psychopathology, Assessment, Diagnosis and Management Across the Lifespan
Provides an integrated approach to the assessment, diagnosis, and clinical management of psychopathology across the lifespan. An in-depth exploration of the neurobiological underpinnings of mental health problems and psychiatric disorders will serve as the framework of the course. Students will apply principles of neurodevelopment to the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of individuals across the lifespan with anxiety disorders; depressive disorders; obsessive-compulsive and related disorders; bipolar and related disorders; sleep-wake disorders; feeding and eating disorders; elimination disorders; and trauma - and stressor-related disorders. The role and scope of advanced psychiatric nursing practice including foundational legal and ethical issues are incorporated throughout the course. Prerequisites: NURS 580, 582. Corequisite: NURS 651 (7) (Didactic 3.5 credits, lab/seminar 0.5 credits, clinical 3 credits) (180 hours clinical)
NURS 654 : PMHNP II: Psychopathology, Assessment, Diagnosis and Management Across the Lifespan
Provides an integrated approach to the assessment, diagnosis, and clinical management of complex psychopathology across the lifespan. Students will apply concepts covered in PMHNP I to the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of individuals across the lifespan with schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders; neurocognitive disorders; disruptive, impulse control and conduct disorders; personality disorders; dissociative disorders; somatic symptoms and related disorders; and sexual, gender, and paraphilic disorders. The role and scope of advanced psychiatric nursing practice is expanded from what is covered in PMHNP I to include forensic mental health care. Prerequisite: NURS 653. () (Didactic 2.5, lab/seminar 0 .5 credits, clinical 3 credits) (180 hours clinical)
NURS 655 : PMHNP III: Psychotherapies Across the Lifespan
Examines methods and major conceptual frameworks of group and family psychotherapy. Group dynamics, systems theory and group therapy models will be applied to the treatment of psychiatric disorders in a variety of settings. An overview and critical analysis of family theories and conceptual models will inform psychotherapy with children, adolescents, adults, elders, and their families. Prerequisite: NURS 654. (4) (Didactic 2 credits, clinical 2 credits) (120 hours clinical)
NURS 656 : PMHNP IV: Psychotherapies Across the Lifespan
An overview of the major schools of personality theory, psychological development, and derived individual psychotherapy treatment modalities, to better understand the dynamics of the patient and the therapeutic 1:1 relationship. Students will engage in the therapy process with individuals across the lifespan by implementing selected psychotherapeutic techniques. Prerequisite: NURS 655. (5) (Didactic 2 credits, lab/seminar 1 credit, clinical 2 credits) (120 hours clinical)
NURS 657 : PMHNP Capstone
In this culminating clinical course students will demonstrate increased competency and accountability in the provision of comprehensive psychiatric-mental health care. Students will gain expertise by working with an identified population of choice and implementing selected psychotherapeutic and pharmacological interventions. Students will develop an individual learning plan to address any gaps in the attainment of required Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner competencies. Professional practice issues including contract negotiation and requirements for certification and licensure are included. Prerequisite: NURS 656. (4) (Seminar 1 credit, clinical 3 credits ) (180 hours clinical)
NURS 681 : D.N.P. Scholarly Proposal Seminar: Planning
Development, planning and refinement of student’s D.N.P. scholarly proposal. A D.N.P. scholarly project must evaluate outcomes of practice, practice patterns, policies and/or systems of care within a practice setting, health care organization, or community. Students will complete 30 clinical hours related to project planning. Prerequisites: NURS 630, 631. (2) [1.5 didactic and 0.5 clinical]
NURS 682 : D.N.P. Scholarly Project: Implementation I
Collaboration with key stakeholders to implement student’s evidence-based D.N.P. project. Students will incorporate change theory and other relevant theories to guide implementation and overcome anticipated and emerging barriers. Students will complete 120 clinical hours related to project implementation. Prerequisite: NURS 683. (3) [1 credit didactic and 2 credits clinical]
NURS 683 : D.N.P. Scholarly Project: Implementation II
D.N.P. students will complete the implementation phase of their scholarly project. Seminar is dedicated to review and critique of the implementation process and proposed evaluation strategy. Students will complete 30 clinical hours related to project completion. (2) [1.5 seminar and 0.5 clinical]
NURS 684 : D.N.P. Scholarly Project: Evaluation and Dissemination
D.N.P. students will systematically organize and interpret data employing quantitative and/or qualitative methodologies to evaluate the project’s impact on health outcomes. Students will disseminate their findings through an oral presentation to the key stakeholders and by submitting an abstract to a relevant professional organization. Students will complete 120 + clinical hours related to project evaluation and dissemination. Prerequisite: NURS 683. (4) [2 credits didactic and 2 credits clinical]
NURS 690 : Doctor of Nursing Practice Clinical Practicum
The D.N.P. student will develop further practice or D.N.P. competencies through clinical practicum experience. May be repeated up to 3 times. Pass/Fail grading. Prerequisite: consent of the dean and associate dean of graduate nursing programs. (1 to 4) [1 cr equals 60 clinical practicum hours]
NURS 695 : Transition to D.N.P. Practice
Transition and socialization into the Doctorate of Nursing Practice role, to include the D.N.P.’s professional responsibility and accountability for social justice locally and globally. The D.N.P. scholarship portfolio will be completed and evaluated. The portfolio will include reflection on evidence that demonstrates the student is a clinical scholar and documents competency in all domains of D.N.P. practice as outlined in the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice and the D.N.P. Core Competencies by the National Association of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF). Prerequisites or corequisites: Taken concurrently with NURS 684 and NURS 699, all other DNP coursework must be completed. Prerequisites: NURS 623, 625, 627, 630, 631, 681, 683. Corequisites: NURS 684, 699. (1) (1 credit didactic)
NURS 699 : D.N.P. Scholarly Project: Capstone
Development and submission of a manuscript related to the D.N.P. Scholarly Project for publication in a peer-reviewed, professional journal or other approved scholarly venue. The course includes an intensive, systematic approach to the publication process. Capstone course. Prerequisites: NURS 681, 682, and 683. Corequisite: NURS 684. (2) (2 credits didactic)