The School
of Nursing at the University of San Francisco has designed a vital,
responsive Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program for the
baccalaureate prepared nurse and the nurse with a master’s degree.
Profound and unprecedented change in healthcare has created a need
for knowledgeable and innovative clinical leaders. Clinical
opportunities for nurses with 21st century leadership skills have never
been greater. The healthcare systems leadership program is designed to
prepare students to assume leadership and care management roles across
the continuum of care in the emerging healthcare delivery system.
The
curriculum includes course work that integrates nursing, business,
informatics, and health services administration to provide students
with the opportunity to develop advanced analytical and communication
skills. Leadership development is enhanced by exposure to diverse
perspectives, a knowledge of theory and research, and a critical
understanding of professional practice issues.
Program DescriptionThe University of San Francisco, School of Nursing is the first
university in the Bay Area to offer the Doctor of Nursing Practice
(DNP), admitting the first students in Fall 2007. The American
Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), the professional
organization for higher education in nursing, has recommended that by
2015 all nursing specialty preparation should occur at the doctoral
level.
The program for the MS Generalist nurse takes into account previous
academic coursework and clinical experiences and the required number of
units are adjusted accordingly. Course schedules are designed for both
full and part time students and are responsive to the
needs of the working nurse professional. Graduates of the program will
meet the AACN outcome competencies and practice standards, including
the completion of 1000 hours of supervised clinical practice, the
successful passing of a comprehensive exam and the completion of a DNP
evidence-based-practice project. Please
contact the School of Nursing for specific schedule information.
The
DNP degree appeals to nurses with an MS or a BS degree in Nursing who
are interested in a practice-focused doctorate. DNP graduates will be
prepared as clinical leaders who will design models of health care
delivery, evaluate clinical outcomes, identify and manage health care
needs of populations, and use technology and information to transform
health care systems. The DNP degree has also been identified as a way
to increase the number of doctoral prepared nursing faculty.
The DNP Program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Program Objectives
- Integrate nursing science with knowledge from ethics, the
biophysical, psychosocial, analytical, and organizational science to
develop and evaluate nursing practice and care delivery models.
- Develop and evaluate effective strategies for managing the
ethical dilemmas inherent in patient care, the health care
organization, information technology, and research.
- Use analytic methods to design, implement, and evaluate best practice models for patient care and systems of care delivery
- Effectively develop, implement and evaluate evidence-based approaches to advance nursing and health care.
- Demonstrate leadership in the development and implementation
of institutional, local, state, federal, and international health
policy
- Advocate for social justice, equity, and ethical policies within all healthcare arenas.
- Effectively lead quality improvement and patient safety initiatives.
- Advance the effective use of health care information systems to assure high quality health care outcomes.
- Employ effective communication and collaborative skills in the
development and implementation of practice models, health policy,
standards of care, and organizational issues.
- Analyze and synthesize epidemiological, biostatical,
environmental, cultural elements related to individual, aggregate, and
population health.
- Conduct a comprehensive assessment of health and illness
parameters in complex situations, incorporating diverse and culturally
sensitive approaches in order to design, implement, and evaluate
evidence-based interventions.
- Develop and sustain therapeutic relationships and
partnerships with patients and other professionals to facilitate
optimal patient outcomes.
- Analyze the links among practice, organizational,
population, fiscal, and policy issues in order to effective education
individuals and colleagues.
- Satisfy the course and clinical requirements for specialty certification.
- Advance the mission and core values of the University of San Francisco.
Admission Criteria
Admission to the program is
based on an overall appraisal of the applicant’s ability to undertake
doctoral study and of their contributions to the discipline of nursing
as evidence by the following:
- Official transcripts from colleges/universities attended showing
that the student has completed either an baccalaureate or master’s
degree in nursing
- Grade Point Average of 3.0 (B) or higher
- 3 letters of recommendation
- Statement of professional goals
- Resume
- Documentation of RN license
- A completed application form and fee; www.usfca.edu/graduate/
- TOEFL scores if needed
Highlights of the School of Nursing
- The first private university nursing program in the State
- Accredited by the California State Board of Registered Nursing and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Admission of DNP students occurs on a rolling admission basis for the fall, spring and summer semesters
- The Graduate School of Nursing was ranked in the top 40 best nursing programs in the nation by US News and World Report
- Financial Assistance Programs for those who qualify
KT Waxman,
DNP Department Chair
For more information, contact our program recruiter at (415) 422-2806.
