Doctor of Nursing Practice
Program Description
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at Point Loma Nazarene University offers various pathways for students to provide competent advanced-level care as healthcare leaders for individuals of all ages across healthcare settings. The DNP program offers three degree tracks: Healthcare Leadership, Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), and Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), with multiple pathways:
- MSN-DNP: Healthcare Leadership
- BSN-DNP: CNS
- MSN-DNP: CNS
- BSN-DNP: FNP
- MSN-DNP: FNP
After completing the program, graduates are eligible to take national board certification examinations, including Executive Nursing Practice, Nurse Executive Advanced, Clinical Nurse Specialist-Adult Gerontology, Clinical Nurse Specialist-Pediatrics, or Family Nurse Practitioner.
Program Learning Outcomes
Students who complete the Doctor of Nursing Practice program will be able to achieve the following outcomes:
- Inquiring Faithfully: The graduate will demonstrate knowledge, skill, and behavior of the evidence-based practice of nursing which integrates growth in reasoning, analysis, decision-making, and the application of theory with the goal of advocating for others and/or self. This includes holistic nursing skills and the nursing process.
- Caring Faithfully: The graduate will embrace a calling to the ministry of compassionate care for all people in response to God’s grace, which aims to foster optimal health and bring comfort in suffering and death.
- Communicating Faithfully: The graduate will actively engage in the dynamic interactive process that is intrapersonal and interpersonal with the goal of advocating for others and/or self. This includes effective, culturally appropriate communication conveys information, thoughts, actions and feelings through the use of verbal and nonverbal skills.
- Following Faithfully: Defined as claiming the challenge from Florence Nightingale that nursing is a “divine imposed duty of ordinary work”. The graduate will integrate the ordinary work by complying with and adhering to regulatory and professional standards (e.g. ANA Code of Ethics, the California Board of Registered Nursing Scope of Nursing Practice, SON Handbook). This includes taking responsibility, being accountable for all actions and treating others with dignity.
- Leading Faithfully: The graduate will incorporate a foundational relationship with Christ and others and embrace a willingness to serve others in the midst of life circumstances (e.g. illness, injustice, poverty). The graduate will role-model the need for “Sabbath Rest” as a means of personal renewal, and true care of self, so that service to others is optimally achieved. The graduate will incorporate the characteristics of a servant leader including: humility, courage, forgiveness, discernment.
Academic Performance
Satisfactory Academic Performance
Satisfactory academic performance is defined as meeting all of the following:
- letter grade of “B-” (81%) or higher in all required theory and elective courses.
- grade of “Credit” in all clinical residency courses.
- minimum GPA of 3.000 on a 4.000 scale in all required courses.
Repeatability and Academic Status Progression
Satisfactory completion of all courses is required in the DNP program of study.
Students must repeat any course in which they fail to receive a minimum grade of “B-” or “Credit.” If a course must be repeated, the following requirements will apply:
- Throughout the curriculum, students may repeat one prerequisite, corequisite, or nursing course. Repeatability of the course and progression in the program is dependent on space availability.
- Student may not continue with any academic or clinical coursework until notified by the Program Director of their status in the School of Nursing.
Students should refer to the Graduate and Professional Studies Student Handbook for academic status progression policy (e.g., probation and dismissal).
Academic Honesty
In matters related to integrity, such as those listed below, students may be placed on probation by the SON graduate faculty or be recommended to the Associate Provost for Academic Studies for dismissal from the program:
- inappropriate clinical judgment (e.g. SON policy violation, HIPAA violations);
- violation of Academic Honesty;
- other situations that compromise the PLNU University Student Conduct policy (refer to the Graduate and Professional Studies Student Handbook) or the School of Nursing Values and policies (refer to the School of Nursing Graduate Student Handbook), such as the ANA Code of Ethics CA Nurse Practice Act.
Program Eligibility for Doctor of Nursing Practice
Admission to the program is based on an overall appraisal of the applicant’s ability to undertake doctoral study and their contributions to the discipline of nursing as evidenced by the following:
- Documentation of active RN license;
- Official transcripts;
- Minimum grade point average of 3.200 (candidates with a grade-point average of 3.000 to 3.199 may be considered under the Admissions Exception Policy);
- Curriculum Vitae or Resume;
- Current employment as an RN or at least 1 year of full time RN practice in the last 5 years is required prior to the start of clinical coursework;
- A personal essay of 250 words demonstrating graduate-level writing skills;
- Two (2) professional references from a supervisor or mentor who has observed you in an academic setting;
- A completed application form and fee; and
- Interview with the graduate nursing selection committee.
English Language Requirements
A satisfactory command of the English language is required for admission to the Graduate School of Nursing. All applicants whose native language is not English, must meet this requirement-including international applicants, permanent residents, immigrants, and transfer students who are not citizens of the United States on the date of admission. A Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is the measure of competency. The test must have been taken within the past two years with minimum scores of:
- 550 for the paper-based test, and
- 80 for the internet-based test with a minimum section requirement score of 20 in reading, listening, speaking, and writing. Only the following countries are exempt from proof of English proficiency: Australia, Canada, Ireland, United Kingdom, and New Zealand.
Other Provisions
To satisfy the requirement of the university’s clinical agencies, upon acceptance into the program students are required to provide copies of the following documentation:
- Current California licensure as a registered nurse or in state of residence if attending clinical outside of California1;
- Current Healthcare Provider CPR certificate from the American Heart Association;
- Completed School of Nursing Health Form Packet with officially documented proof of immunizations;
- Current TB screening upon admission into the program (2 step process);
- Current HIPAA certificate;
- Infection Control Module; and
- Background check and drug screening (failure to pass this may result in an inability to complete the program).
Per agreement with the San Diego Nursing Service Education consortium and affiliated hospitals, a background check and drug screening is required prior to the student’s first clinical experience. If a red flag occurs from either the background check or drug screening, this may result in immediate dismissal from the program.
- 1
A valid RN license in good standing in another state may suffice for active military service members or their spouses for clinical within California, per California BRN process and federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) requirements. The student must be registered in the SCRA State Registration Database available on the CA Department of Consumer Affairs website.
Exceptions Policy
Applicants who do not meet the above eligibility standards, but who can demonstrate an exceptionally rich experiential background and/or demonstrate dramatic change in academic performance, may petition the School of Nursing to review their status (see Admissions Exception Policy).
Program Pathways
- MSN-DNP: Healthcare Leadership Track
- BSN-DNP: CNS Track
- MSN-DNP: CNS Track
- BSN-DNP: FNP Track
- MSN-DNP: FNP Track
MSN-DNP: Healthcare Leadership Track
- All graduate students take 3Ps courses (NSG 6006 - Advanced Pathophysiology, NSG 6007 - Advanced Pharmacology, and NSG 6008 - Advanced Health Assessment) as foundational courses for the advanced nursing practice role. Any applicant may submit prior course syllabi to be reviewed for course equivalency. A prerequisite or transfer 3Ps course must meet the required criteria per California Board of registered Nursing for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs). Syllabi may be required to verify equivalency prior to acceptance of any course toward PLNU Graduate Nursing program requirements. Students who have not taken APRN Core Prerequisite Courses may take them concurrently with their program at PLNU.
- Students who enroll in the MSN-DNP HCL track may have previously accrued less than 500 MSN clinical hours due to their previous MSN program requirements. These students need additional clinical hours to meet the 1000 required DNP clinical hours. NSG 7068 will be added to these students' MSN-DNP HCL track, as needed. The number of clinical units added may vary based on each student’s transcript evaluation.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| APRN Core Prerequisite Courses | ||
| NSG 6006 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NSG 6007 | Advanced Pharmacology | 3 |
| NSG 6008 & 6008L | Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan and Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan Practicum | 3 |
| Total Units | 9 | |
The MSN-DNP: Healthcare Leadership track consists of 34 units over 6 semesters, including: 5 Graduate core courses (12 units), 3 Healthcare Leadership specialty courses (9 units), 5 DNP project courses (10 units/500 clinical hours), and 1 Graduate Elective (3 units).
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Core Courses | ||
| NSG 7002 | Applied Statistics in Health Science | 2 |
| NSG 7006 | Informatics in Healthcare Systems | 3 |
| NSG 7010 | Fundamentals of Epidemiology | 3 |
| NSG 7023 | Quality and Safety | 2 |
| NSG 7080 | Context of Practice, Populations, and Outcomes Management | 2 |
| Healthcare Leadership Specialty Courses | ||
| NSG 7081 | Economics and Finance in Healthcare | 3 |
| NSG 7084 | Curriculum Development and Evaluation | 3 |
| DNP Project Courses | ||
| NSG 7050A | DNP Project Planning and Integrative Application | 2 |
| NSG 7050B | DNP Project Proposal and Integrative Application | 2 |
| NSG 7050C | DNP Project Implementation and Integrative Application | 2 |
| NSG 7050D | DNP Project Evaluation and Integrative Application | 2 |
| NSG 7050E | DNP Project Dissemination and Integrative Application | 2 |
| Graduate Elective 1,2 | 6 | |
| Examples of approved courses are listed below. Other courses may be approved at the discretion of the School of Nursing: | ||
| Applied Data Analysis and Visualization | ||
or LDR 6025 | Applied Data Analysis and Visualization | |
| Managing in a Changing Environment | ||
or LDR 6060 | Managing in a Changing Environment | |
| Negotiation and Conflict Resolution | ||
or LDR 6061 | Negotiation and Conflict Resolution | |
| Using Technology to Enhance Teaching and Learning | ||
| Educational Measurement and Evaluation | ||
| Diversity and Cultural Dynamics | ||
| Organizational Communication | ||
| DNP Healthcare Leadership Practicum | ||
| Total Units | 34 | |
- 1
Approved elective options for the Healthcare Leadership track will be offered in collaboration with the Fermanian School of Business, School of Education, Reuben Welch School of Theology and Christian Ministry, as well as by the School of Nursing. Offerings may vary and will be pre-approved by the School of Nursing prior to each semester.
- 2
Students who wish to pursue a Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) credential must take GED 6029 or GED 6081.
BSN-DNP: CNS Track
The BSN-DNP: Adult-Gerontology CNS track consists of 11 Graduate core courses (27 units), 4 APRN core courses (9 units), 3 Healthcare Leadership specialty courses (9 units), 5 DNP project courses (10 units/500 clinical hours), 8 CNS-specialty courses (21 units, which includes 12 units/500 clinical practicum hours).
The BSN-DNP: Adult-Gerontology CNS with Women's Health Specialty track consists of 11 Graduate core courses (27 units, 4 APRN core courses (9 units), 3 Healthcare Leadership specialty courses (9 units), 5 DNP project courses (10 units/500 clinical hours), and 11 CNS-specialty courses (24 units, which includes 12 units/580 clinical practicum hours).
- All graduate students take 3Ps courses (NSG 6006 - Advanced Pathophysiology, NSG 6007 - Advanced Pharmacology, and NSG 6008 - Advanced Health Assessment) as foundational courses for the advanced nursing practice role. Any applicant may submit prior course syllabi to be reviewed for course equivalency. A prerequisite or transfer 3Ps course must meet the required criteria per California Board of registered Nursing for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs). Syllabi may be required to verify equivalency prior to acceptance of any course toward PLNU Graduate Nursing program requirements. Students who have not taken APRN Core Prerequisite Courses may take them concurrently with their program at PLNU.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Core Courses | ||
| NSG 6003 | Following Faithfully: Healthcare Policy and Ethics | 3 |
| NSG 6009 | Health Promotion Across the Lifespan | 2 |
| NSG 6021 | Foundations for Evidence-Based Nursing Practice | 2 |
| NSG 6030 | Educating Nurses for Radical Transformation | 3 |
| NSG 6088 | Healthcare Leadership and Innovation | 3 |
| NSG 7002 | Applied Statistics in Health Science | 2 |
| NSG 7006 | Informatics in Healthcare Systems | 3 |
| NSG 7010 | Fundamentals of Epidemiology | 3 |
| NSG 7023 | Quality and Safety | 2 |
| NSG 7029 | Diagnostic Testing and Laboratory Interpretation | 2 |
| NSG 7080 | Context of Practice, Populations, and Outcomes Management | 2 |
| APRN Core Courses | ||
| NSG 6006 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NSG 6007 | Advanced Pharmacology | 3 |
| NSG 6008 & 6008L | Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan and Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan Practicum | 3 |
| Healthcare Leadership Core Courses | ||
| NSG 7081 | Economics and Finance in Healthcare | 3 |
| NSG 7084 | Curriculum Development and Evaluation | 3 |
| DNP Project Courses | ||
| NSG 7050A | DNP Project Planning and Integrative Application | 2 |
| NSG 7050B | DNP Project Proposal and Integrative Application | 2 |
| NSG 7050C | DNP Project Implementation and Integrative Application | 2 |
| NSG 7050D | DNP Project Evaluation and Integrative Application | 2 |
| NSG 7050E | DNP Project Dissemination and Integrative Application | 2 |
| CNS-Specialty Didactic and Practicum Courses | 21-24 | |
| BSN-DNP: Adult Gerontology CNS | ||
| Advanced Health Assessment: Adult Gerontology | ||
| Adult Gerontology CNS Role Acquisition I | ||
| Adult Gerontology CNS Role Acquisition II | ||
| Adult Gerontology CNS Role Acquisition III | ||
| Adult Gerontology CNS Role Practicum | ||
| BSN-DNP: Adult Gerontology CNS with Women's Health Specialty | ||
| Advanced Health Assessment: Adult Gerontology | ||
| Advanced Health Assessment: Women's Health | ||
| Adult Gerontology CNS Role Acquisition I | ||
| Women's Health CNS Role Acquisition I | ||
| Adult Gerontology CNS Role Acquisition II | ||
| Adult Gerontology CNS Role Acquisition III | ||
| Women's Health CNS Role Practicum | ||
| Graduate Elective 1,2 | 3 | |
| Examples of approved courses are listed below. Other courses may be approved at the discretion of the School of Nursing | ||
| Applied Data Analysis and Visualization | ||
or LDR 6025 | Applied Data Analysis and Visualization | |
| Managing in a Changing Environment | ||
or LDR 6060 | Managing in a Changing Environment | |
| Negotiation and Conflict Resolution | ||
or LDR 6061 | Negotiation and Conflict Resolution | |
| Using Technology to Enhance Teaching and Learning | ||
or GED 6081 | Educational Measurement and Evaluation | |
| Diversity and Cultural Dynamics | ||
| Organizational Communication | ||
| DNP Healthcare Leadership Practicum | ||
| Total Units | 76-79 | |
- 1
Approved elective options for the Healthcare Leadership track will be offered in collaboration with the Fermanian School of Business, School of Education, School of Nursing, and Reuben Welch School of Theology and Christian Ministry. Offerings may vary and will be pre-approved by the School of Nursing prior to each semester.
- 2
Students who wish to pursue a Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) credential must take GED 6029 or GED 6081.
MSN-DNP: CNS Track
Students who have already completed an MSN degree may apply for the MSN-DNP: CNS track.
An individualized gap analysis of previous academic credit will be conducted for each applicant to determine courses needed to fulfill the requirements at PLNU.
- Any CNS applicant may submit prior course syllabi to be reviewed for course equivalency.
- All graduate students take 3Ps courses (NSG 6006 - Advanced Pathophysiology, NSG 6007 - Advanced Pharmacology, and NSG 6008 - Advanced Health Assessment) as foundational courses for the advanced nursing practice role. Any applicant may submit prior course syllabi to be reviewed for course equivalency. A prerequisite or transfer 3Ps course must meet the required criteria per California Board of registered Nursing for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs). Syllabi may be required to verify equivalency prior to acceptance of any course toward PLNU Graduate Nursing program requirements. Students who have not taken APRN Core Prerequisite Courses may take them concurrently with their program at PLNU.
- At a minimum, a total of 500 direct patient care clinical hours are to be included in the past APN graduate education program and post-graduate certificate program, specifically to meet the end-of-program hours for the new CNS role and/or new population.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| APRN Core Prerequisite Courses | ||
| NSG 6006 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NSG 6007 | Advanced Pharmacology | 3 |
| NSG 6008 & 6008L | Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan and Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan Practicum | 3 |
| Total Units | 9 | |
The MSN-DNP: CNS track consists of 5 Graduate core courses (12 units), 3 Healthcare Leadership specialty courses (9 units), 5 DNP project courses (10 units/500 clinical hours), 8 CNS-specialty courses (21 units, which includes 12 units/500 clinical practicum hours).
The MSN-DNP: Adult-Gerontology CNS with Women's Health Specialty track consists of 5 Graduate core courses (12 units), 3 Healthcare Leadership specialty courses (9 units), 5 DNP project courses (10 units/500 clinical hours), and 11 CNS-specialty courses (24 units, which includes 12 units/580 clinical practicum hours).
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Core Courses | ||
| NSG 7002 | Applied Statistics in Health Science | 2 |
| NSG 7006 | Informatics in Healthcare Systems | 3 |
| NSG 7010 | Fundamentals of Epidemiology | 3 |
| NSG 7023 | Quality and Safety | 2 |
| NSG 7080 | Context of Practice, Populations, and Outcomes Management | 2 |
| Healthcare Leadership Core Courses | ||
| NSG 7081 | Economics and Finance in Healthcare | 3 |
| NSG 7084 | Curriculum Development and Evaluation | 3 |
| DNP Project Courses | ||
| NSG 7050A | DNP Project Planning and Integrative Application | 2 |
| NSG 7050B | DNP Project Proposal and Integrative Application | 2 |
| NSG 7050C | DNP Project Implementation and Integrative Application | 2 |
| NSG 7050D | DNP Project Evaluation and Integrative Application | 2 |
| NSG 7050E | DNP Project Dissemination and Integrative Application | 2 |
| CNS-Specialty Didactic and Practicum Courses | 21-24 | |
| MSN-DNP: Adult Gerontology CNS | ||
| Advanced Health Assessment: Adult Gerontology | ||
| Adult Gerontology CNS Role Acquisition I | ||
| Adult Gerontology CNS Role Acquisition II | ||
| Adult Gerontology CNS Role Acquisition III | ||
| Adult Gerontology CNS Role Practicum | ||
| MSN-DNP: Adult Gerontology CNS with Women's Health Specialty | ||
| Advanced Health Assessment: Adult Gerontology | ||
| Advanced Health Assessment: Women's Health | ||
| Adult Gerontology CNS Role Acquisition I | ||
| Women's Health CNS Role Acquisition I | ||
| Adult Gerontology CNS Role Acquisition II | ||
| Adult Gerontology CNS Role Acquisition III | ||
| Women's Health CNS Role Practicum | ||
| Graduate Elective 1,2 | 3 | |
| Examples of approved courses are listed below. Other courses may be approved at the discretion of the School of Nursing | ||
| Applied Data Analysis and Visualization | ||
or LDR 6025 | Applied Data Analysis and Visualization | |
| Managing in a Changing Environment | ||
or LDR 6060 | Managing in a Changing Environment | |
| Negotiation and Conflict Resolution | ||
or LDR 6061 | Negotiation and Conflict Resolution | |
| Using Technology to Enhance Teaching and Learning | ||
or GED 6081 | Educational Measurement and Evaluation | |
| Diversity and Cultural Dynamics | ||
| Organizational Communication | ||
| DNP Healthcare Leadership Practicum | ||
| Total Units | 52-55 | |
- 1
Approved elective options for the Healthcare Leadership track will be offered in collaboration with the Fermanian School of Business, School of Education, School of Nursing, and Reuben Welch School of Theology and Christian Ministry. Offerings may vary and will be pre-approved by the School of Nursing prior to each semester.
- 2
Students who wish to pursue a Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) credential must take GED 6029 or GED 6081.
BSN-DNP: FNP Track
The BSN-DNP: FNP track consists of 10 Graduate core courses (24 units), 4 APRN core courses (9 units), 5 DNP project courses (10 units/500 clinical hours), 12 FNP-specialty courses (33 units, which includes 16 units/750 clinical practicum hours).
- All graduate students take 3Ps courses (NSG 6006 - Advanced Pathophysiology, NSG 6007 - Advanced Pharmacology, and NSG 6008 - Advanced Health Assessment) as foundational courses for the advanced nursing practice role. Any applicant may submit prior course syllabi to be reviewed for course equivalency. A prerequisite or transfer 3Ps course must meet the required criteria per California Board of registered Nursing for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs). Syllabi may be required to verify equivalency prior to acceptance of any course toward PLNU Graduate Nursing program requirements. Students who have not taken APRN Core Prerequisite Courses may take them concurrently with their program at PLNU.
- FNP students will be required to pass a Blended 3Ps exam in order to progress to FNP specialty coursework. The option to audit and/or retake 3Ps courses is available and encouraged for the purpose of thorough preparation for the blended exam.
- At a minimum, a total of 750 direct patient care clinical hours are to be included in the past APN graduate education program and post-graduate certificate program, specifically to meet the end-of-program hours for the new NP role and/or new population (National Task Force on Quality Nurse Practitioner Education, 2022, Criterion III.N).
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Core Courses | ||
| NSG 6003 | Following Faithfully: Healthcare Policy and Ethics | 3 |
| NSG 6009 | Health Promotion Across the Lifespan | 2 |
| NSG 6021 | Foundations for Evidence-Based Nursing Practice | 2 |
| NSG 6088 | Healthcare Leadership and Innovation | 3 |
| NSG 7002 | Applied Statistics in Health Science | 2 |
| NSG 7006 | Informatics in Healthcare Systems | 3 |
| NSG 7010 | Fundamentals of Epidemiology | 3 |
| NSG 7023 | Quality and Safety | 2 |
| NSG 7029 | Diagnostic Testing and Laboratory Interpretation | 2 |
| NSG 7080 | Context of Practice, Populations, and Outcomes Management | 2 |
| APRN Core Courses | ||
| NSG 6006 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NSG 6007 | Advanced Pharmacology | 3 |
| NSG 6008 & 6008L | Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan and Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan Practicum | 3 |
| DNP Project Courses | ||
| NSG 7050A | DNP Project Planning and Integrative Application | 2 |
| NSG 7050B | DNP Project Proposal and Integrative Application | 2 |
| NSG 7050C | DNP Project Implementation and Integrative Application | 2 |
| NSG 7050D | DNP Project Evaluation and Integrative Application | 2 |
| NSG 7050E | DNP Project Dissemination and Integrative Application | 2 |
| FNP-Specialty Courses | ||
| NSG 7030 & 7030L | Introduction to Advanced Practice Nursing and Diagnostic Reasoning and Diagnostic Reasoning and Procedures Practicum | 4 |
| NSG 7031 & 7031L | Health Management I: Adults with Acute and Episodic Conditions in Primary Care and Health Management I Practicum: Adults with Acute and Episodic Conditions in Primary Care | 6 |
| NSG 7032 & 7032L | Health Management II: Behavioral and Mental Health Conditions in Primary Care and Health Management II Practicum: Behavioral and Mental Health Conditions in Primary Care | 6 |
| NSG 7033 & 7033L | Health Management III: Adults with Chronic and Complex Conditions in Primary Care and Health Management III Practicum: Adults with Chronic and Complex Conditions in Primary Care | 6 |
| NSG 7034 & 7034L | Health Management IV: Pediatric and Adolescent in Primary Care and Health Management IV Practicum: Pediatric and Adolescent in Primary Care | 6 |
| NSG 7035 & 7035L | Health Management V: Clinical Immersion and Health Management V Practicum: Clinical Immersion | 4 |
| NSG 7036 | Entry to the Advanced Practice Role | 1 |
| Total Units | 76 | |
MSN-DNP: FNP Track
Students who have already completed their MSN degree may apply for the MSN-DNP: FNP Track.
An individualized gap analysis of previous academic credit will be conducted for each applicant to determine courses needed to fulfill the requirements at PLNU.
- All graduate students take 3Ps courses (NSG 6006 - Advanced Pathophysiology, NSG 6007 - Advanced Pharmacology, and NSG 6008 - Advanced Health Assessment) as foundational courses for the advanced nursing practice role. Any applicant may submit prior course syllabi to be reviewed for course equivalency. A prerequisite or transfer 3Ps course must meet the required criteria per California Board of registered Nursing for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs). Syllabi may be required to verify equivalency prior to acceptance of any course toward PLNU Graduate Nursing program requirements. Students who have not taken APRN Core Prerequisite Courses may take them concurrently with their program at PLNU.
- FNP students will be required to pass a Blended 3Ps exam in order to progress to FNP specialty coursework. The option to audit and/or retake 3Ps courses is available and encouraged for the purpose of thorough preparation for the blended exam.
- At a minimum, a total of 750 direct patient care clinical hours are to be included in the past APN graduate education program and post-graduate certificate program, specifically to meet the end-of-program hours for the new NP role and/or new population (National Task Force on Quality Nurse Practitioner Education, 2022, Criterion III.N).
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| APRN Core Prerequisite Courses | ||
| NSG 6006 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NSG 6007 | Advanced Pharmacology | 3 |
| NSG 6008 & 6008L | Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan and Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan Practicum | 3 |
| Total Units | 9 | |
The MSN-DNP: FNP track consists of 5 Graduate core courses (12 units), 5 DNP project courses (10 units/500 clinical hours), 12 FNP-specialty courses (33 units, which includes 16 units/750 clinical practicum hours).
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Core Courses | ||
| NSG 7002 | Applied Statistics in Health Science | 2 |
| NSG 7006 | Informatics in Healthcare Systems | 3 |
| NSG 7010 | Fundamentals of Epidemiology | 3 |
| NSG 7023 | Quality and Safety | 2 |
| NSG 7080 | Context of Practice, Populations, and Outcomes Management | 2 |
| DNP Project Courses | ||
| NSG 7050A | DNP Project Planning and Integrative Application | 2 |
| NSG 7050B | DNP Project Proposal and Integrative Application | 2 |
| NSG 7050C | DNP Project Implementation and Integrative Application | 2 |
| NSG 7050D | DNP Project Evaluation and Integrative Application | 2 |
| NSG 7050E | DNP Project Dissemination and Integrative Application | 2 |
| FNP-Specialty Courses | ||
| NSG 7030 & 7030L | Introduction to Advanced Practice Nursing and Diagnostic Reasoning and Diagnostic Reasoning and Procedures Practicum | 4 |
| NSG 7031 & 7031L | Health Management I: Adults with Acute and Episodic Conditions in Primary Care and Health Management I Practicum: Adults with Acute and Episodic Conditions in Primary Care | 6 |
| NSG 7032 & 7032L | Health Management II: Behavioral and Mental Health Conditions in Primary Care and Health Management II Practicum: Behavioral and Mental Health Conditions in Primary Care | 6 |
| NSG 7033 & 7033L | Health Management III: Adults with Chronic and Complex Conditions in Primary Care and Health Management III Practicum: Adults with Chronic and Complex Conditions in Primary Care | 6 |
| NSG 7034 & 7034L | Health Management IV: Pediatric and Adolescent in Primary Care and Health Management IV Practicum: Pediatric and Adolescent in Primary Care | 6 |
| NSG 7035 & 7035L | Health Management V: Clinical Immersion and Health Management V Practicum: Clinical Immersion | 4 |
| NSG 7036 | Entry to the Advanced Practice Role | 1 |
| Total Units | 55 | |
Early Entry into Graduate Studies - See Undergraduate Catalog
This track will allow eligible PLNU students in the traditional BSN program to take a graduate course in each semester following completion of junior-level courses. Students will simultaneously start graduate-level courses while completing their BSN degree. After a minimum of 1-year clinical experience as a licensed, registered nurse, individualized advising will facilitate the student in a graduate program's decision regarding specialty track. The following courses1 are included in this early entry track.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| NSG 5002 | Applied Statistics in Health Science | 2 |
| NSG 5003 | Following Faithfully: Healthcare Policy and Ethics | 3 |
| NSG 5009 | Health Promotion Across the Lifespan | 2 |
- 1
These Early Entry into Graduate Studies courses are equivalent to the following graduate nursing courses: NSG 6003, NSG 6009, and NSG 7002.
Total DNP (MSN-DNP: Healthcare Leadership) Units: 34
Total DNP (BSN-DNP: CNS) Units: 76-79
Total DNP (MSN-DNP: CNS) Units: 52-64
Total DNP (BSN-DNP: FNP) Units: 76
Total DNP (MSN-DNP: FNP) Units: 55-64
Minimum Required Clinical Hours for All DNP Tracks: 1,000
Graduation Requirements
In order to earn and receive the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, in addition to successful completion of all didactic course work, the student must satisfy all of the following:
- Complete a total of 1,000 hours of clinical residency (documented clinical hours achieved in an DNP advanced practice role will be included).
- Implement and defend a DNP Project-examples of this include: Quality Improvement project at the unit or organization level.
- A minimum grade point average of 3.000.
- A minimum grade of B- in all courses. Students who are unsuccessful in passing a repeated course will be dismissed from the program.
- All requirements for graduate degrees must be completed within an eight-year period from the time of initial enrollment in the program.