DNP-800 Orientation to the DNP Program (0 credits)
Orientation to Alverno College and the DNP Program are completed via online learning modules.
Prerequisite(s): Admission to the DNP Program
DNP-810 Epidemiology & Biostatistics (3 credits)
Concepts of epidemiology are explored to understand the complex causes of population health problems. Strategies to effectively prevent and manage health problems in vulnerable populations are developed. Biostatistical methods used to collect, analyze, and interpret data in population health and other biomedical sciences are applied.
Prerequisite(s): Admission to the DNP Program, DNP-800 completed or concurrent
DNP-812 Equity in Diverse Educational Settings (3 credits)
In this course, students analyze diversity and equity issues and their impact in education. They propose strategies to address issues of disproportionality, inequity, and bias, and they design meaningful interventions.
Prerequisite(s): Admission to the DNP Program
DNP-820 Practice-Based Inquiry (3 credits)
The concepts and processes of evidence-based practice, continuous quality improvement, and research are differentiated. The processes of evidence-based practice are applied to the DNP Project, including the clarification of a clinical problem and formulation of a researchable question, exhaustive systematic review of the literature, appraisal of individual studies, structured data extraction and synthesis of pooled data, determination of the level and overall strength of the evidence appraised, and recommendations for practice. Clinical inquiry is situated in the context of an appropriate theory, framework, or model. The ethical conduct of nursing inquiry is emphasized.
Prerequisite(s): DNP-800 and DNP-810 completed or concurrent
DNP-830 Clinical Practicum I (1-5 credits)
This is the first of two clinical practicum courses in the DNP program. Students are immersed in an in-depth clinical and leadership experience that provides the opportunity to gain advanced clinical skills, engage in clinical scholarship, and address multifactorial issues that impact the health and health care outcomes of individuals, families, and health care systems. The DNP Project phenomenon of interest stems from the practicum site utilized in this course.
Prerequisite(s): DNP-810
DNP-831 Higher Education Legal Issues & Accreditation (3 credits)
Admission to the DNP program. In this course, students compare and contrast regional accrediting body expectations, with an emphasis on their regional IHE accrediting body. They apply what they learned about accreditation to write a proposal for a new degree program and prepare for a mock annual review.
Prerequisite(s): Admission to the DNP Program
DNP-832 Higher Education Curriculum & Assessment (3 credits)
Admission to the DNP program. In this course, students demonstrate their ability to work effectively and collaboratively with key higher education stakeholders and faculty. They examine and evaluate curricula, explore strategies for board and trustee engagement, and identify methods for effectively addressing student and faculty concerns and grievances.
Prerequisite(s): Admission to the DNP Program
DNP-835 Measurement, Instrumentation, Statistics For Translational Research (3 credits)
Knowledge of measurement principles and design is developed. The applicability and utility of various data collection strategies as well as descriptive and inferential statistical methods to address specific clinical questions are explored, especially as they relate to the DNP Project. The use of statistical analysis software is emphasized.
Prerequisite(s): DNP-820
DNP-836 Higher Ed Roles, Resp, & Leadership (3 credits)
In this course, students explore the commitment and skills required for success as an IHE leader. They study systematic leadership theory and practice, developing professional competencies and skills that will enable them to create climates and capacities for learning across the organizations.
Prerequisite(s): Admission to the DNP Program
DNP-838 Instructional Design-Fundamentals (3 credits)
In this course, you will develop and apply deep understanding of theories and practices of instructional design and assessment-as-learning related to your discipline/content and contexts in higher education institutions.
Prerequisite(s): Admission to the DNP Program
DNP-839 Teaching/Lrning in Diverse Ed Contexts (3 credits)
Develop deep understandings of the lived experiences, cultural knowledge and prior learning of the students you will encounter in higher education contexts. Incorporate these understandings into engaging, inspiring and authentic learning experiences in your content area(s) and related higher education academic programs.
Prerequisite(s): Admission to the DNP Program
DNP-840 Information Technology and Data- Driven Inquiry (3 credits)
Informatics systems concepts, design, and selection are discussed. The application of informatics and technology in health care systems and in the improvement of patient safety and outcomes is examined. Creative solutions to complex and multi-faceted problems are explored. Innovative practice models and disruptive innovation methods are evaluated with a focus on practice improvement. Programs and outcomes of care within health care organizations are evaluated. Data collection and extraction, and their implications for policy and care quality within the health care setting are emphasized.
Prerequisite(s): DNP-820
DNP-845 Quality, Safety, and Regulatory Process in Health Care (2 credits)
The evaluation of health care and health care systems using a comprehensive, systematic, science-based and data-driven approach is examined. Various methods of evaluation and appraisal are applied to populations, organizations, systems, programs/projects, health informatics, practice guidelines/protocols, health policy, and other health-related entities. Students are prepared to lead quality evaluation, patient safety, regulatory, and accreditation teams to influence high-level decision-making in all areas of health care.
DNP-850 Translational Research (3 credits)
A scholarly DNP Project is developed under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Students develop knowledge and skills in the systematic inquiry focused on clinical phenomena and interventions, and translation of best available evidence into practice are developed. A clinical problem is identified and refined as a comprehensive review of the literature is conducted to determine its significance on populations, practice settings, and expected outcomes. Research studies are appraised for scientific merit, potential translation into practice, and impact on quality health care and outcomes.
Prerequisite(s): DNP-820
DNP-855 Health Care Economics and Financial Management (2 credits)
Knowledge in economics and financial management as it relates to the nurse leader role in health care systems is developed. Analysis and synthesis of health care economics and financial management concepts are completed to promote value and operational effectiveness in health care systems.
DNP-860 Scholarly Project I (3 credits)
The student synthesizes and integrates prior learning in the implementation and evaluation of a system-level change project to improve identified outcomes. The student's scholarly DNP project is grounded in the art and science of nursing, principles of science and evidence-based practice, and theories of health care quality and systems leadership. The first three chapters (Problem Identification, Evidence/ROL, and Method) of the scholarly DNP Project are developed and submitted to an Alverno College faculty member for review.
Prerequisite(s): DNP-820, DNP-835, DNP-840, and DNP-850 completed, DNP-830 completed or concurrent
DNP-910 Health Systems & Public Policy (2 credits)
Current issues in health care policy and the role of nurse leaders working within organizations and systems to affect policy change for the betterment of population health are explored. The extent and impact of competitive markets, insurance, reimbursement issues, and other facets of governments' role in health care will be critically examined using a global perspective. The many factors that shape health policy and have implications for ethical decision making and distribution of resources are investigated.
Prerequisite(s): DNP-820
DNP-920 Ethical Leadership in Health Care (2 credits)
The knowledge and skills necessary to excel in the ethical leadership of organizations and groups are acquired. Students apply theories and research of transformational leadership, including systems perspectives, engage in organizational change and inter-professional collaboration, and use knowledge and skills to resolve complex clinical situations found at the organizational level. Professional accountability, legal issues, values and ethics, effective management of teams and groups, conflict management and resolution, and health care advocacy for vulnerable populations are emphasized.
Prerequisite(s): DNP-820
DNP-930 Clinical Practicum II (1-5 credits)
Student immersion in an in-depth clinical and leadership experience provides the opportunity to gain advanced clinical skills, engage in clinical scholarship, and address multifactorial issues that impact the health and health care outcomes of individuals, families, and health care systems. The DNP Project phenomenon of interest stems from the practicum site utilized in this course.
DNP-940 Genetics and Genomics in Health Care (4 credits)
The essential understanding of medical genetics, genomics, and bioinformatics shaping the way common and rare diseases are currently treated is examined. Diagnostic and treatment advances and how they will affect the future of health care are discussed, with a focus on medical ethics.
Prerequisite(s): DNP-820
DNP-945 Creating Agility in Dynamic Environments (2 credits)
Students grow as worldly managers by developing the abilities, thinking, and discipline knowledge from core knowledge areas needed to build enduring, agile organizations. Change leadership, management-leadership, teamwork and collaboration, and the anticipation and response to changing markets, global operating environments, and unforeseen events are key areas of interest examined in this course. The legal, regulatory, and ethical issues confronting today's business leaders and the use of values-based decision-making frameworks to successfully navigate an ever-changing operating environment are explored. Students apply theories and concepts through case study analysis, simulations, and a semester-long immersion experience.
Prerequisite(s): DNP-820 Admission to the DNP executive leadership track or with permission of instructor
DNP-960 Scholarly Project II (1-5 credits)
Students synthesize and integrate prior learning in the implementation and evaluation of a system-level change project to improve identified outcomes. The student's scholarly DNP project is grounded in the art and science of nursing, principles of science and evidence-based practice, and theories of healthcare quality and systems leadership. Findings of the project are analyzed, a manuscript is developed, and the project is disseminated through an oral final defense, and thereby, student achievement of the DNP program outcomes are demonstrated.
Prerequisite(s): DNP-830 and DNP-860 completed, DNP-930 completed or concurrent