Nursing (DNP): Advanced Practice

• Enhanced Clinical Skills: A DNP in Advanced Practice equips you with comprehensive clinical skills, allowing you to provide high-quality care in various healthcare settings. 
• Leadership Opportunities: This degree prepares you for leadership roles in healthcare, enabling you to influence patient outcomes and healthcare policies effectively. 
• Research and Evidence-Based Practice: You'll gain valuable experience in research and the application of evidence-based practices, both critical components in advancing the nursing profession. 
• Job Market Demand: There is a growing demand for highly trained advanced practice nurses. A DNP can open doors to more specialized and higher-paying positions. 
• Patient and Community Impact: With this degree, you have the opportunity to make a significant impact on patient care and community health initiatives.

Degree Works

Note: Degree requirements effective for enrolled students beginning Fall 2023. All enrolled students, including matriculating students prior to Fall 2023, can review their degree program requirements and track progress to degree completion with our degree audit and advisement tool, Degree Works.

Required Courses (29 credits)

• NURSING.600 DNP Immersion: Role Transition
• NURSING.601 Informatics and Technology as Applied to Advance Practice Nursing
• NURSING.602 Economics of Health Care and Health Policy
• NURSING.603 Translating Evidence into Clinical Practice
• NURSING.604 Leadership in Complex Health Care Systems
• NURSING.606 Biomedical Ethics and Vulnerable Populations
• NURSING.608 Evidence-Based Clinical Project I: Development
• NURSING.609 Evidence-Based Clinical Project II: Implementation
• NURSING.610 Evidence-Based Clinical Project III: Outcome Analysis and Dissemination

All required documentation must be sent to the Office of Graduate Studies at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the full summer semester:

• Cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher from an accredited MSN program.
• Official transcripts from all previously attended institutions of higher education.
• Completion of graduate level advanced health assessment, advanced pharmacology, and advanced pathophysiology courses.
• Three letters of recommendation addressing applicant’s practice and ability for doctoral study.
• Current resume.
• Copy of certification/license as an advanced practice nurse.
• Copy of unencumbered RN license.
• Description and total number of clinical hours/cases completed in MSN program with verification from program director.
• Completion of Graduate Studies Admission Application and fee.

• Q: What are the career options for students graduating with this degree?
  A: The DNP Advanced Practice program will open up new career options that may include: Health Care Executive, Nurse Manager, Nursing Faculty, Advanced Practice Nurse, Health Care Lobbyist, and Clinical Care Researcher.
• Q: Can you complete the program on a part-time basis?
  A: Yes! Nearly all of our students are employed full-time as nurses. Our program offers flexible coursework built with working nurses in mind.
• Q: How is the program delivered?
  A: Coursework is offered 100% online, with core courses offered asynchronously and clinical courses synchronously. Additionally, there are 500 required clinical hours that are incorporated into coursework.
• Q: If I'm using my employer's tuition reimbursement program, can my tuition bills be deferred until after the semester?
  A: Yes. Completion of the Application for Deferment will enable you to defer 75% of your tuition and fee charges (after paying 25% down) until 45 days after the conclusion of the semester. During this time, you should be able to secure reimbursement from your employer. The remaining payment will be drawn from your account automatically through the payment plan 45 days after the end of the semester, unless paid prior to that date. More information available here under the 'Tuition Statements, Charges, and Payments' section. If you have any questions, you can contact the Student Billing Office at 570-389-4013 or studentbilling@commonwealthu.edu.

1. Synthesize and appraise current scientific evidence and theories to enhance the practice of nursing and healthcare.
2. Create leadership roles to advance clinical practice and health care delivery at the organizational and systems level and to improve health outcomes of individuals and populations.
3. Utilize healthcare informatics and an evidenced-based approach in clinical scholarship to critically evaluate, design, and implement healthcare delivery for diverse populations, settings, and systems. 
4. Integrate knowledge of and evaluate current and emerging information systems and patient care technology, considering related ethical, regulatory, and legal issues, to improve care delivery and organizational systems.
5. Develop and advocate for healthcare policy change in response to social, political, economic, and ethical issues in all healthcare arenas. 
6. Engage in intra-professional collaboration to facilitate change, improve communication, enhance patient outcomes, improve desired health outcomes, and advance high quality, safe, patient centered care in complex healthcare delivery systems. 
7. Translate epidemiological, bio statistical, occupational, environmental, and cultural principles into clinical prevention and population health. 
8. Formulate advanced levels of clinical judgment and professional values as an advanced practice nurse.

1. Synthesize and appraise current scientific evidence and theories to enhance the practice of nursing and healthcare. 
2. Create leadership roles to advance clinical practice and health care delivery at the organizational and systems level and to improve health outcomes of individuals and populations. 
3. Utilize healthcare informatics and an evidenced-based approach in clinical scholarship to critically evaluate, design, and implement health care delivery for diverse populations, settings, and systems. 
4. Integrate knowledge of and evaluate current and emerging information systems and patient care technology, considering related ethical, regulatory, and legal issues, to improve care delivery and organizational systems. 
5. Develop and advocate for healthcare policy change in response to social, political, economic, and ethical issues in all healthcare arenas.
6. Engage in intra-professional collaboration to facilitate change, improve communication, enhance patient outcomes, improve desired health outcomes, and advance high quality, safe, patient centered care in complex healthcare delivery systems.
7. Translate epidemiological, bio statistical, occupational, environmental, and cultural principles into clinical prevention and population health. 
8. Reflect on clinical experiences and how the knowledge gained influences the future role of the nurse leader.