Doctor of Nursing Practice

Can all Master of Science (MSN) prepared nurses achieve a DNP degree from Neumann University?

The Neumann DNP Program was designed for MSN prepared nurses who wish to achieve a DNP terminal degree. Students are required to have completed a minimum of 500 practicum hours in their MSN program. Students who have not completed the minimum practicum hours will be required to take additional practicum courses to achieve the minimum practicum hours required. The Neumann DNP program provides an additional 500+ practicum hours. The DNP degree requires students have a minimum of 1000+ practicum hours.

How many credits is the Neumann DNP Degree for students who already possess 500+ practicum hours from their MSN degree?

Any nurse obtaining a DNP degree needs to complete a minimum of 1000 practicum hours as per American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). The practicum hours are a minimum of 500 hours from the MSN level and a minimum of 500 hours at the DNP level. The DNP Program from Neumann is 34 credits/504 practicum hours for MSN prepared nurses who already completed a minimum of 500 practicum hours in their MSN degree program.

How many credits and semesters is the Neumann DNP Degree?

The Neumann DNP Program is 34 credits, 1008 practicum hours for MSN students who possess 500+ practicum hours. The program is completed over 7 semesters. For MSN students who have not completed 500+ practicum hours, the program is 43 credits/1008 practicum hours which is completed over 7 semesters.

What are the 3 tracks in the DNP Program?

There are 3 tracks for those who wish to complete a DNP degree. They are:

• APRN Leadership – for those who wish to become experts in APRN clinical practice.
• Educational Leadership – for those who wish to become experts in academic or professional development nursing education.
• Healthcare Systems Leadership – for those who wish to become experts in healthcare organization leadership at an executive level including the roles of Chief Nursing Officer, or Vice-President of Nursing.

Can a student focus on more than one track in the DNP program?

Yes, a student can complete more than one track; however, the student will need to complete additional theory courses and practicum residency courses.

How many weeks is each course in the DNP Program?

The Neumann DNP Program utilizes a split semester approach. Each theory course is offered over 8 weeks which means a student will be taking 2 theory courses per 16-week semester. Practicum courses, also called residency courses, are 16 weeks in length per course.

How many years does it take to complete the Neumann DNP?

The DNP Program is 34 credits and will take 2.5 to 3 years to complete for students who have a MSN degree with a minimum of 500 practicum hours starting the DNP Program. For MSN prepared students who don’t have a minimum of 500 practicum hours starting the degree program, the program is 43 credits and will take 2.5 to 3 years to complete.

I am an MSN student who does not have a minimum of 500 practicum hours, what are the other courses I will need to take to fulfill the practicum hour requirement?

For MSN students who did not complete a minimum of 500 practicum hours in their program, the number of additional courses is based on a Gap Analysis. The additional courses that the Neumann DNP program offers are:

• NUR 841: Leadership Roles for the DNP which is worth 3 clinical credits and 168 practicum hours.
• NUR 840: Innovations in Healthcare Simulation which is worth 3 clinical credits and 168 practicum hours.
• NUR 842: Cyber Security and Risk Challenges in Complex Organization Systems which is worth 3 clinical credits and 168 practicum hours.

I am an advanced practice, MSN prepared nurse; how do I submit the practicum hours I earned as part of my MSN program?

On the DNP Website, click on the Verification of MSN Practice Hour form and complete it. Your hours will need to be verified by your MSN program director. If you do not possess the minimum 500+ practicum hours, your application will require a Gap Analysis and you will need to take additional courses that offer practicum hours. These courses are offered as part of the Neumann DNP program.

I am an MSN prepared nurse who did not complete a minimum of 500 practicum hours in my program. How will I know how many additional practicum hours I will need?

Every MSN prepared student will need to submit the Verification of MSN Practice Hour form and all of their undergraduate and graduate transcripts. The DNP Program Coordinator and Associate Dean for Graduate and DNP Programs will review the submission and determine the practicum and theory gap analysis and inform you how many courses and credits you will need to complete the program.

Are the Neumann DNP Program end-of-program student learning outcomes consistent with the latest American Association of College of Nursing (AACN) domain and concept Essentials for Nursing Education?

Yes, the Neumann DNP Program end of program outcomes are mapped to the AACN domain and concept Essentials.

In the DNP Program, am I responsible for completing an end of program project?

a. Yes, as part of the DNP Program, all students complete an end of program scholarly project that focuses on an area of interest that prepares students for expertise and demonstrates quality improvement in healthcare practice, nursing education, or executive leadership. Projects will:

• Enhance and evaluate health outcomes, practice outcomes, or policy outcomes
• Reflect a culmination of inquiry, scholarly work, and dissemination
• Engage in and leverage new, multidisciplinary partnerships
• eflect translation of evidence into healthcare practice, education or executive leadership.

Do DNP Projects need to be approved by Institutional Review Board?

Yes, all DNP Projects need to be approved by Neumann University’s Institutional Review Board and if necessary, the practice organization’s Institutional Review Board.

Creating a DNP Project requires project management knowledge. How will the Neumann DNP Program ensure those skills?

A required course in the Neumann DNP Program is Project Management for the Doctor of Nursing Practice. Concepts learned in this course will be applied throughout the practicum courses where you synthesize the DNP Project.

Creating a DNP project requires data analysis and synthesis knowledge? How will the Neumann DNP Program ensure I have those skills?

A required course in the Neumann DNP Program is Leadership Residency Data Analysis and Synthesis of Results. This course is focused on the area of interest either APRN leadership, educational leadership, or healthcare systems leadership. Concepts learned in this course will be directly applied to the practicum experience and DNP Project.