DNP graduate walking down a hallway in a hospital with a colleague

Nursing (DNP): Nurse Executive

Elevate your clinical and leadership experience with Commonwealth University's online, Nursing (DNP): Nurse Executive degree.

Degrees & Offerings
  • D.N.P.
Location
  • Online
Department
College
Program Contact
Assistant Professor of Nursing
Illustration of Mountain

Program Details

  • Program Focus – Prepares registered nurses in influential leadership to lead systems in organizational change with the goal of improving the healthcare delivery system of the nation. The focus of the program is system leadership and innovative changes to deliver safe, timely, efficient, equitable, and patient-centered care. 
  • Flexible Coursework – Curriculum is built with working nurses in mind, with coursework delivered 100% online asynchronously.
  • Curriculum – Consists of 29 credits to be completed over 2 years.
  • Faculty Expertise – Program faculty are advanced practice nurses.
  • Clinical Hours – 1000 clinical hours are required. 500 are built into the curriculum and 500 are to be completed outside of coursework.
  • Evidence-Based Project – Students complete an evidence-based, quality improvement project that develops with progression through the program.
  • Start Date – Applications are accepted for the Summer semester.

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Courses and Curriculum

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.
  • Three letters of recommendation addressing applicant’s practice and ability for doctoral study.
  • Current resume.
  • Copy of unencumbered RN license.
  • Completion of Graduate Studies Admission Application and fee.
  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.
  • Q: What are the career options for students graduating with this degree?
    A: The DNP Nurse Executive program will open up new career options that may include: Health Care Executive, Chief Nursing Officer, Nursing Faculty, Nursing Project Director, Health Care Consultant, Professor, and Vice President of Nursing.
  • 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 asynchronously. Additionally, 1000 clinical hours are required. 500 are built into the curriculum and 500 are to be completed outside of 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.

ONWARD AND UPWARD

CCNE Accredited logo
Accreditation
CU's Nursing programs have passed the rigorous standards for quality and integrity to be accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
100%
of coursework is available online
Core courses are asynchronously.

Careers

The program will prepare nurses for leadership and scholarly skills in patient-centered care, intra-professional collaboration, evidence-based practice, quality improvement, policy advocacy, and improved use of informatics and technology. Graduates are prepared for a variety of influential leadership roles including, but not limited to:

Potential Job Opportunities

  • Chief Nursing Officer
  • Nursing Project Director
  • Health Care Consultant
  • Professor
  • Vice President of Nursing

Continue to Explore

nursing students discussing clinical information in a classroom setting

Commonwealth University Launches Nurse Executive Program

Commonwealth University has launched a new program to prepare nurses for executive leadership roles. The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): Nurse Executive program consists of 29 credits delivered online asynchronously over two years.

Meet the Faculty

DNP program faculty member

Lori Parke

  • Assistant Professor of Nursing
  • Bloomsburg

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