Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner, D.N.P.

The School of Nursing offers the opportunity for the Professional Registered Nurse who holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree or is prepared at Master of Science in Nursing level to complete the Doctor of Nursing Practice. The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a practice-focused doctorate designed to prepare advanced practice nurses to lead practice changes based on evidence to improve patient outcomes in complex healthcare systems.

As the environment of health care in our nation has become increasingly complex, the nursing profession has responded by advancing a practice doctorate which ensures that professional nurses have both the practice expertise and the evidence-based scientific knowledge necessary to impact positively the quality and safety outcomes for patients. In addition, the growing national shortage of nursing faculty who are prepared at the doctoral level can be ameliorated sooner with the increase of DNP-prepared advanced practice nurses.

DNP Program Goals:

The Millikin University School of Nursing DNP program prepares leaders who are:

1. Engage as expert practitioners in a specialized area of advanced practice nursing to develop safe, quality patient outcomes;
2. Provide leadership to manage outcomes for diverse populations within complex healthcare systems;
3. Transform healthcare through the integration of evidence, informatics, patient technologies, and ethical principles to advance professional practice; and
4. Demonstrate a commitment to clinical scholarship with dissemination of knowledge that integrates the scientific foundation for practice.

DNP Expected Student Outcomes:

Graduates of the DNP program are able to:

1. Engage as expert practitioners to develop holistic, safe, equitable, person-centered outcomes which demonstrate the knowledge of nursing science, theory, and practice. (Domain 1, 2)
2. Collaborate within interprofessional partnerships to advance population health and systems-based practice which promotes evidence-based, safe, equitable, cost-effective care to diverse populations. (Domain 3, 6, 7)
3. Demonstrate a commitment to professionalism and clinical scholarship with the dissemination of knowledge that translates evidence into nursing practice and promotes the ethical conduct of scholarly activities. (Domain 4, 9)
4. Design quality and safety initiatives to minimize the risk of harm to patients and providers across complex healthcare environments. (Domain 5)
5. Utilize clinical analytics, informatics and healthcare technologies for the evaluation and improvement of individual, population, and systems-based outcomes. (Domain 8)
6. Develop lifelong learning strategies that promote personal, professional, and leadership development. (Domain 10)

BSN to DNP: Nurse Anesthesia Program (NAP) (full-time study only); Family Nurse Practitioner Program (FNP) (full-or part-time):

• The BSN to DNP option is for individuals who seek to complete the practice doctorate as their highest earned academic degree.
• Students are enrolled as a cohort in the BSN to DNP.
• Enrollment must be continuous and full-time throughout the 36-month program of study. (NAP only)
• Full-time and part-time options are available for the FNP.
• The BSN to DNP (NAP) degree consists of 88 credit hours and includes 2400+ hours of clinical practice and residency.
• The BSN to DNP (FNP) degree consists of 70 credit hours and includes 1200+ hours of clinical practice.
• An advanced (graduate level) statistics course must be completed prior to enrollment.
• Classes are delivered in a variety of methods including face-to-face, hybrid, and online. Theory and practice schedules are set by the School of Nursing in collaboration with its practice partners.
• The DNP (NAP) graduates are eligible to take the National Certification Examination administered by the National Board of Certification and Recertification of Nursing Anesthetists (NBCRNA).
• The DNP (FNP) graduates are eligible to take the National Certification Examination administered by either the American Academy of Nurse Practitioner Certification Program (AANPCP) or the American Nursing Credentialing Center (AANC).
• Courses are delivered year-round.

MSN to DNP: FNP Concentration (full- or part-time study):

• MSN to DNP (FNP) is for individuals who seek to complete the practice doctorate as their highest earned academic degree and who seek to earn an advanced practice degree in nursing (FNP).
• Classes are delivered in a variety of methods including face-to-face, hybrid, and online. Theory and practice schedules are set by the School of Nursing in collaboration with practice partners.
• The MSN to DNP (FNP) consists of 50 credit hours and includes 800+ clinical hours.
• An advanced (graduate level) statistics course must be completed prior to enrollment.
• The DNP (FNP) graduates are eligible to take the National Certification Examination administered by either the American Academy of Nurse Practitioner Certification Program (AANPCP) or the American Nursing Credentialing Center (AANC).
• Courses are delivered year-round.

MSN to DNP Completion Program option for MSN-Prepared Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (part-time study):

• DNP completion students are those holding an Advanced Practice Registered Nursing licensure in the State of Illinois who seek to complete the

• practice doctorate as their highest earned academic degree (MSN-DNP).
• This program is offered as online and includes DNP core coursework with post-master’s residency hours to be determined based on MSN transcript evaluation.
  • MSN transcripts will be evaluated to ensure completion prior to enrollment in the first DNP course of the following required graduate level courses: Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan, Advanced Pharmacology Across the Lifespan, Advanced Health Assessment, Application of Theory to Practice, Health Care Policy, and an advanced (graduate level) statistics.
  • The MSN to DNP Completion degree consists of 23-25 credit hours including residency hours.
  • Courses are delivered year-round.

DNP Admission:

• Application forms are available online at https://www.nursingcas.org
• Transcripts will be evaluated on an individual basis.
• A student may take up to 9 credits as a non-degree seeking student before matriculation in the program with approval of the program director.

BSN to DNP applicants must:

• Complete the DNP application;
• Send official transcripts from all graduate and undergraduate institutions attended and demonstrate a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale;
• Provide evidence of successful completion (grade C or better) or of the following undergraduate pre-requisite course: organic chemistry with lab (NAP only);
• Complete a graduate level statistics course prior to enrollment;
• Possess an unencumbered/ unrestricted license as an RN in Illinois or be eligible and obtain upon admission;
• Provide three (3) written recommendations as described on the application from:
• At least one recommendation must be from a current Critical Care Unit supervisor (NAP only)
• Submit a written statement (see application for details); and
• Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae that demonstrates clinical nursing experience
• Must provide evidence of ACLS, BLS, PALS, and CCRN (preferred) certifications. (NAP only)
• BSN to DNP (NAP) applicants are required to have a minimum of one year of adult critical care experience
• For BSN to DNP (FNP) applicants, preference will be given to those with at least one year of full time registered professional nursing experience.

MSN to DNP Applicants must:

• Complete the DNP application;
• Send official transcripts from all graduate and undergraduate institutions attended and demonstrate a minimum graduate grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale;

• Show evidence of MSN core courses (Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan, Advanced Pharmacology Across the Lifespan, Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan and Application of Theory to Practice) as well as a Health Care Policy course and a graduate level statistics course prior to enrollment;
• Possess an unencumbered/unrestricted license as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse in Illinois (DNP completion) or an unencumbered/unrestricted license as a Register Professional Nurse in Illinois;
• Provide three (3) written recommendations as described on the application form;
• Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae;
• MSN to DNP completion students must provide evidence of advanced nursing practice experience and continuing education since licensure; and
• For MSN to DNP (FNP) applicants, preference will be given to those with at least one year of full time registered professional nursing experience.

Admission Timeline:

See the School of Nursing website for details.

DNP Progression:

Students must earn a minimum of a B in all graduate courses for progression and successfully complete all coursework, residency/practice requirements, and the DNP Project to be eligible for graduation. Continuous enrollment must be maintained in the graduate programs until all graduation requirements are met. Students who fail to do so must apply for readmission.

To remain in good academic standing, DNP graduate nursing students must earn a minimum of a B in each course.

1. A course grade of less than a B can result in dismissal from the program regardless of GPA;
2. A student may repeat only one course in the DNP program, but must have approval of the Student Admissions, Progression, & Retention (SAPR) Committee; and
3. DNP NAP students are also referred to the Grading Policy in the RNAI Handbook.

Incomplete grades:

See the University policy on incomplete grades. An incomplete grade may impede progression in the subsequent semester and consequently the sequential courses.

Drop, Withdrawal, and Grade Policy:

Each student is enrolled for courses on a semester basis. The student is financially responsible for all enrolled courses. Students may access their accounts and schedule through MU Online. Students who wish to drop or add a course after the registration process is complete must notify their advisor and the SON Director in writing via e-mail or hard copy.

• If a student withdraws from a class in the term, he/she must notify the Registrar’s Office in writing. A student may reapply to the program according to the standard application process. The SON Graduate Program will determine the student’s ability to rejoin the program at a later date, while assessing the applicability of any previous work completed.
• Students should be aware that withdrawal from a course will affect the student’s credit hours for the semester and will likely affect financial aid eligibility and/or financial aid awards.
• It is strongly recommended that students consult with the Student Financial Center (217) 424-6317 prior to dropping a course or withdrawing from a program. Financial aid eligibility and/or financial aid awards may be affected.
• No refunds will be processed without written notification to the SON Director within the guidelines communicated earlier in this Bulletin.
• Leaving the program requires an OFFICIAL withdrawal process.
• Contact the SON Director and the DMH CRNA Program Director so proper paperwork can be completed.
• Tuition costs apply according to the refund policy.
• Fees are not refunded.
• Transcripts will NOT be released if a balance is due.
• Students who wish to reenter the graduate program at a later date must reapply for admission. Contact the School of Nursing office for instructions regarding the readmission process.

Readmission:

Students who, for a valid and unanticipated reason, are forced to interrupt their coursework have two years to reapply for readmission to the program. Depending on their circumstances, readmitted students may be required to retake the entry tests and/or repeat some coursework. All readmission requests will be reviewed by the Graduate Studies Committee and DMH Admissions Committee.