Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.)

The doctor of nursing practice (D.N.P.) degree program prepares nurses to provide health services at the highest level of clinical nursing practice. The curriculum is designed to develop leaders able to expand their impact on the health of society by improving quality of care, patient outcomes, and health policy. The program features curricular threads including leadership, inquiry, social justice and ethics, and integrative health. Graduates are prepared as holistic practitioners who understand many different healing methodologies and who practice collaboratively with those who seek care. There is also an emphasis on caring for disadvantaged populations and using evidence-based interventions in care to advance health equality.

In the preparation of the curriculum and evaluation of outcomes, the D.N.P. program incorporates professional standards and guidelines from the Oregon State Board of Nursing, The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice (AACN, 2006), the Criteria for Evaluation of Nurse Practitioner Programs (NTF, 2016), the Nurse Practitioner Core Competencies (NONPF, 2017), the Graduate Competencies and Recommendations for Educating Nursing Students (AACN, 2019), the National Center for Integrative Primary Health Care Competencies, the Population-Focused Nurse Practitioner Family Competencies: Family/Across the Lifespan (NONPF, 2013) for students in the F.N.P. track, and the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Competencies (NONPF, 2016) for students in the A.G.P.C.N.P. track.

All Students complete a D.N.P. scholarly project related to advanced nursing practice in NRS 665 DNP Scholarly Project. Additionally, students in the F.N.P. and A.G.P.C.N.P. tracks complete. NRS 675 Directed D.N.P. Clinical and students in the N.P. to D.N.P. track complete NRS 685 Directed DNP Clinical for Post Master’s N.P. Students I and NRS 686 Directed DNP Clinical for Post Master’s N.P. Students II. These directed clinical courses are designed for students to demonstrate synthesis of knowledge and use evidence to improve practice or patient outcomes for specific program competencies.

Graduates of the F.N.P. track are eligible for F.N.P. national certification through the American Association of Nurse Practitioners or American Nurses Credentialing Center. Graduates of the A.G.P.C.N.P. track are eligible for A.G.P.C.N.P. national certification through the American Association of Nurse Practitioners or American Nurses Credentialing Center. The A.G.P.C.N.P. track also prepares graduates for the Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse exam if they wish to be distinguished as palliative care experts and complete the required clinical hours and experiences. Graduates of the F.N.P. and N.P. to D.N.P. tracks who complete NRS 654: Primary & Specialty Palliative Care and the required clinical hours and experiences during their program may also take the Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse exam if they wish to be distinguished as palliative care experts.

D.N.P. Program Outcomes

The D.N.P. program prepares competent, entry-level primary care nurse practitioners and experienced nurse practitioners who:

1. Practice independently in a variety of primary care health environments, translate best evidence into practice, employ a population focus, incorporate an integrative and/or palliative health care perspective, and collaborate with multiple disciplines with the goal of providing effective, comprehensive health care;
2. Demonstrate leadership in macro and micro health care system change and personal practice improvement; and
3. Proactively strive for social justice, actively address health disparities and function as culturally competent practitioners who relate effectively with diverse and under-served individuals, families, and populations.

D.N.P. - F.N.P. and A.G.P.C.N.P. Admission Requirements

1. D.N.P. writing sample.
2. Current resume.
3. Three letters of recommendation. Applicants provide email addresses for three references in the online application. A request will be sent directly to the references who will be able to upload a letter in Word or as a PDF. References may also return recommendation forms as signed attachments by email to the Graduate School at [e-mail] or by mail to the University of Portland, ATTN: Graduate School, 5000 N. Willamette Blvd., Portland, Oregon 97203.
4. Official transcripts from all previously attended academic institutions must be submitted directly from the institution either by email to [e-mail] or by mail to the University of Portland, ATTN: Graduate School, 5000 N. Willamette Blvd., Portland, OR, 97203.
5. A bachelor's or master's degree in nursing from a school of nursing accredited by an appropriate national nursing accrediting body.
6. Current unencumbered registered nurse (R.N). license to practice nursing in state of residence. R.N. licensure in Oregon is recommended. R.N. licensure in the state in which a student completes clinical hours is required. Additional costs may be incurred for clinical placements outside of Oregon.
7. Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) in the most recently completed nursing program.
8. Preference is given to Oregon and Washington applicants with at least two years of experience as an R.N.
9. International Applicants: an official score from the TOEFL (minimum score of 100), IELTS (minimum score of 7.5), or Duolingo (minimum score of 120) exam is required.
10. International Applicants: Proof of financial support will be required to attend the University of Portland, but is not required for application review.
11. An admission interview upon request of the School of Nursing.

N.P. to D.N.P. Admission Requirements:

1. D.N.P. writing sample.
2. Current resume.
3. Three letters of recommendation. Applicants provide email addresses for three references in the online application. A request will be sent directly to the references who will be able to upload a letter in Word or as a PDF. References may also return recommendation forms as signed attachments by email to the Graduate School at [e-mail] or by mail to the University of Portland, ATTN: Graduate School, 5000 N. Willamette Blvd., Portland, Oregon 97203.
4. Official transcripts from all previously attended academic institutions must be submitted directly from the institution either by email to [e-mail] or by mail to the University of Portland, ATTN: Graduate School, 5000 N. Willamette Blvd., Portland,
   OR, 97203.
5. A master’s degree in nursing from a school of nursing accredited by an appropriate national nursing accrediting body.
6. Current unencumbered registered nurse (R.N.) license to practice nursing in state of residence.
7. Current nurse practitioner license in state of practice and currently employed as a nurse practitioner in a clinical setting.
8. Current national nurse practitioner certification.
9. Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale in the most recently completed nursing program.
10. International Applicants: an official score from the TOEFL (minimum score of 100), IELTS (minimum score of 7.5), or Duolingo (minimum score of 120) exam is required.
11. International Applicants: Proof of financial support will be required to attend the University of Portland, but is not required for application review.
12. An admission interview upon request of the School of Nursing.

N.P. to D.N.P Degree Requirements

• Program of study includes 360 clinical hours.
• Courses are offered via hybrid method: greater than 50% face to face.
• Because nursing is a dynamic field, the nursing curriculum is subject to change at the School of Nursing’s discretion.

To qualify for the N.P. to D.N.P. degree, students must:

1. Complete all 40 required semester credit hours for the N.P. to D.N.P. track.
2. Maintain a cumulative grade point average (G.P.A.) of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
3. Earn a grade of B or above or Pass in all required courses.
4. Meet the D.N.P. program outcomes.
5. Successfully complete the scholarly project and directed clinical.
6. Submit the final scholarly project manuscript to Pilots Scholars.
7. Complete a portfolio.

Upon approval of the D.N.P. program director, a maximum of nine semester credit hours may be accepted in transfer for graduate courses completed at a nationally accredited institution with a grade of B or better within five years of acceptance to the D.N.P. program.

 

Requirements

NRS 601	Professional Role Development for Advanced Practice Nursing	3
NRS 602	Leadership in a Complex Health care Environment	3
NRS 604	Nursing Science and Ethics for Advanced Practice	3
NRS 605	Analytical Methods for Practice Improvement	3
NRS 606	Quality Improvement Processes for Practice Improvement	3
NRS 614	Health Organization Systems & Resource Management	3
NRS 649	Policy and Politics for the Nurse Leader	2
NRS 650	Informatics in a Complex Health Care Environment	2
NRS 651	Epidemiology and Clinical Prevention in Population Health	3
NRS 652	Translation Science	2
NRS 665	DNP Scholarly Project	1
NRS 685	Directed DNP Clinical for Post Master's NP Students I	3
NRS 686	Directed DNP Clinical for Post-Master's NP Students II	3
Total Credit Hours:		36

NRS 665: Students are required to take NRS 665 a minimum of three semesters and will continue to register for it every semester until successful completion and dissemination of the final project.

 

Focus Area Requirement - 4 credit hours

Select one of the following focus areas:

Integrative Health

NRS 609	Botanicals in Primary Care	1
NRS 676	Integrative Health: Adult Health Promotion and Acute Health Problems	3

Palliative Care

NRS 654

Primary and Specialty Palliative Care

4

NRS 654: Students who complete NRS 654 and plan to take the Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (ACHPN) exam upon graduation must complete 500 total clinical hours in palliative care in the 12 months prior to taking the exam..

Students may complete additional focus area courses as unrequired electives.

D.N.P.-F.N.P. Degree Requirements

• Program of study includes 960 clinical hours and a focus on integrative health.
• Courses are offered via hybrid method: greater than 50% face to face.
• Because nursing is a dynamic field, the nursing curriculum is subject to change at the School of Nursing’s discretion.

To qualify for the D.N.P. - F.N.P. degree, students must:

1. Complete all 76 required semester credit hours for the D.N.P. - F.N.P. track.
2. Maintain a cumulative grade point average (G.P.A.) of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
3. Earn a grade of B or above or Pass in all required courses.
4. Meet the D.N.P. program outcomes.
5. Successfully complete the scholarly project and directed clinical.
6. Submit the final scholarly project manuscript to Pilots Scholars.
7. Complete a portfolio.

For applicants with a master’s degree in nursing who are not nurse practitioners: Upon approval of the D.N.P. program director, a maximum of nine semester credit hours may be accepted in transfer for graduate courses completed at a nationally accredited institution with a grade of B or better and within five years of acceptance to the D.N.P. program.

Requirements

NRS 601	Professional Role Development for Advanced Practice Nursing	3
NRS 602	Leadership in a Complex Health care Environment	3
NRS 604	Nursing Science and Ethics for Advanced Practice	3
NRS 605	Analytical Methods for Practice Improvement	3
NRS 606	Quality Improvement Processes for Practice Improvement	3
NRS 607	Advanced Pathophysiology and Genetics	4
NRS 608	Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics	3
NRS 609	Botanicals in Primary Care	1
NRS 610	Advanced Health Assessment for Primary Care Nurse Practitioners	4
NRS 614	Health Organization Systems & Resource Management	3
NRS 630	FNP Clinical I	3
NRS 631	FNP Clinical II	2
NRS 633	FNP Clinical III	2
NRS 634	FNP Clinical IV	3
NRS 649	Policy and Politics for the Nurse Leader	2
NRS 650	Informatics in a Complex Health Care Environment	2
NRS 651	Epidemiology and Clinical Prevention in Population Health	3
NRS 652	Translation Science	2
NRS 665	DNP Scholarly Project	1
NRS 670	Management of Adults with Acute Conditions	3
NRS 672	Management of Common Mental Health Conditions in Primary Care	2
NRS 673	Management of Pediatric Patients in Primary Care	3
NRS 674	Management of Adults and Older Adults with Chronic Conditions	3
NRS 675	Directed DNP Clinical	6
NRS 676	Integrative Health: Adult Health Promotion and Acute Health Problems	3
NRS 681	Management of Common Gender Specific & Adolescent Health Conditions	4
Total Credit Hours:		76

NRS 665: Students are required to take NRS 665 a minimum of three semesters and will continue to register for it every semester until successful completion and dissemination of the final project.

D.N.P.-F.N.P. students interested in palliative care may complete NRS 654 as an unrequired elective. Students who complete NRS 654 and plan to take the Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (ACHPN) exam upon graduation must complete 500 total clinical hours in palliative care in the 12 months prior to taking the exam.

D.N.P. - A.G.P.C.N.P. Degree Requirements

• Program of study includes 960 clinical hours and a focus on palliative care.
• Courses are offered via hybrid method: greater than 50% face to face.
• Because nursing is a dynamic field, the nursing curriculum is subject to change at the School of Nursing’s discretion.

To qualify for the D.N.P. - A.G.P.C.N.P. degree, students must:

1. Complete all 76 required semester credit hours for the D.N.P. - A.G.P.C.N.P. track.
2. Maintain a cumulative grade point average (G.P.A.) of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
3. Earn a grade of B or above or Pass in all required courses.
4. Meet the D.N.P. program outcomes.
5. Successfully complete the scholarly project and directed clinical.
6. Submit the final scholarly project manuscript to Pilots Scholars.
7. Complete a portfolio.

For applicants with a master’s degree in nursing: Upon approval of the D.N.P. program director, a maximum of nine semester hours may be accepted in transfer for graduate courses completed at a nationally accredited institution with a grade of B or better and within five years of acceptance to the program.

Requirements

NRS 601	Professional Role Development for Advanced Practice Nursing	3
NRS 602	Leadership in a Complex Health care Environment	3
NRS 604	Nursing Science and Ethics for Advanced Practice	3
NRS 605	Analytical Methods for Practice Improvement	3
NRS 606	Quality Improvement Processes for Practice Improvement	3
NRS 607	Advanced Pathophysiology and Genetics	4
NRS 608	Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics	3
NRS 610	Advanced Health Assessment for Primary Care Nurse Practitioners	4
NRS 614	Health Organization Systems & Resource Management	3
NRS 620	AGPCNP Clinical I	3
NRS 621	AGPCNP Clinical II	2
NRS 623	AGPCNP Clinical III	2
NRS 624	AGPCNP Clinical IV	3
NRS 649	Policy and Politics for the Nurse Leader	2
NRS 650	Informatics in a Complex Health Care Environment	2
NRS 651	Epidemiology and Clinical Prevention in Population Health	3
NRS 652	Translation Science	2
NRS 654	Primary and Specialty Palliative Care	4
NRS 665	DNP Scholarly Project	1
NRS 670	Management of Adults with Acute Conditions	3
NRS 672	Management of Common Mental Health Conditions in Primary Care	2
NRS 673	Management of Pediatric Patients in Primary Care	3
NRS 674	Management of Adults and Older Adults with Chronic Conditions	3
NRS 675	Directed DNP Clinical	6
NRS 681	Management of Common Gender Specific & Adolescent Health Conditions	4
NRS 683	Management of Geriatric Patients in Primary Care	3
Total Credit Hours:		76

NRS 665: Students are required to take NRS 665 a minimum of three semesters and will continue to register for it every semester until successful completion and dissemination of the final project.

Students who plan to take the Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse exam upon graduation must complete 500 total clinical hours in palliative care in the 12 months prior to taking the exam..

D.N.P.-A.G.P.C.N.P. students interested in integrative health may complete NRS 609 and/or NRS 676 as unrequired electives.