Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) - Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program prepares nurses at the highest level of practice for the current health care environment based on a strong scientific foundation for practice; flexibility and emphasis on evidence-based practice, leadership, and organizational analysis; and analysis of the DNP Project. The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) Track allows the students to earn an MSN along the way to the Doctor of Nursing Practice. The AGACNP provides a spectrum of care from disease prevention to acute and critical care management. The curriculum prepares students for both the AGACNP board certification examination administered through the American Nurses Credentialing Center and the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner--Adult-Gerontology certification examination administered through the American Association of Critical Care Nurses. Program Objectives The objectives of the DNP program are to prepare graduates to: Critically analyze complex clinical situations and practice systems. Assume leadership roles in the development of clinical practice models, health policy and standards of care. Demonstrate advanced diagnostic reasoning skills and clinical judgment through scholarship and nursing practice. Analyze the social, economic, political, epidemiological and other scientific data to improve individual, aggregate and population health. Demonstrate information fluency and advanced communication skills to lead quality improvement initiatives to improve patient care and health care systems. Design, implement, and evaluate comprehensive care to clients within an area of advanced practice specialization.