DNP-800 Orientation to DNP Program (0 credits)
Admission to the DNP program. Students engage in online work to become oriented to Alverno College and the DNP Program.
DNP-810 Epidemiology & Biostatistics (3 credits)
Students will explore concepts of epidemiology that are used to understand the complex causes of population health problems and begin to understand and develop effective strategies that are used to prevent these issues. Understanding and theory application of biostatistical methods used to collect, analyze and interpret data in population health and other biomedical sciences are also examined. Admission to the DNP program.
Prerequisite(s): Completed/concurrent with DNP-800.
DNP-820 Practice Based Inquiry (3 credits)
Students will continue to examine the principles and processes of evidence-based practice. Students will employ processes for identifying current best evidence, including formulation of a clinical inquiry, systematic review of the literature, critical evaluation of individual studies, structured data extraction, and synthesis of pooled data to determine the level of evidence associated with specific clinical interventions. Students will strengthen abilities to employ various methods for analyzing and evaluating the level of evidence in clinical practice guidelines. The differences between research, evidence-based practice, and continuous quality improvement methodologies in health care are explored as they apply to DNP practice. The student will acquire skills to explore and synthesize research findings necessary for addressing their specific health care questions or problems, especially as it relates to their DNP project. The student will be able to place their approach to inquiry within the context of an appropriate theory, framework or model as appropriate.
DNP-820R Practice Based Inquiry (3 credits)
Students will continue to examine the principles and processes of evidence-based practice. Students will employ processes for identifying current best evidence, including formulation of a clinical inquiry, systematic review of the literature, critical evaluation of individual studies, structured data extraction, and synthesis of pooled data to determine the level of evidence associated with specific clinical interventions. Students will strengthen abilities to employ various methods for analyzing and evaluating the level of evidence in clinical practice guidelines. The differences between research, evidence-based practice, and continuous quality improvement methodologies in health care are explored as they apply to DNP practice. The student will acquire skills to explore and synthesize research findings necessary for addressing their specific health care questions or problems, especially as it relates to their DNP project. The student will be able to place their approach to inquiry within the context of an appropriate theory, framework or model as appropriate.
DNP-830 Clinical Practicum (1-5 credits)
The student will be immersed in an in-depth practice and leadership experience that will provide the opportunity to gain advanced skills, engage in scholarship, and address multifactorial issues that impact health outcomes for individuals, families, communities and health care systems. This course is an ongoing course throughout the student's course of study. Depending upon the student's educational track (e.g. practice or leadership), the clinical practicum site will be the focus area of their Scholarly Project. A total of 1,000 post-baccalaureate practice hours is required over the course of study. (Note: each credit=200 practicum hours). This course offers variable credits. All caregiver background checks completed. Current CPR certification and updated immunization record required. Minimum of 1 credit required to graduate.
Prerequisite(s): DNP-820
DNP-830A Clinical Practicum Extended (0 credits)
This is a clinical practicum extended course. The student will continue to be immersed in an in-depth practice and leadership experience that will provide the opportunity to gain advanced skills, engage in scholarship, and address multifactorial issues that impact health outcomes for individuals, families, communities and health care systems.
Prerequisite(s): DNP-810
DNP-832 Higher Education Curriculum & Assessment (3 credits)
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.
DNP-835 Measurement, Instrumentation, and Statistics for Translational Research (3 credits)
This course is designed to develop the student's knowledge of measurement principles and design, instrumentation for data-collection, and practical application of statistical methods for data analysis and results. The primary purpose of this course is to prepare DNP students to be able to select appropriate level of measurements and data collection techniques and to have a working knowledge of descriptive and inferential statistics to analyze and disseminate data. Students will also start to explore statistical methodologies to answer PICOT questions, as well as learning how to use statistical analysis software.
Prerequisite(s): DNP-820
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.
DNP-840 Information Tech & Data-Driven Inquiry (3 credits)
The student will explore the application of informatics and technology in health care systems and in the improvement and safety of patient care. The purpose is to search for creative solutions to complex and multi-faceted problems. With a focus on practice improvement, students will evaluate innovative practice models as well as disruptive innovation methods. Students will explore concepts, designs and selection of informatics systems. They will evaluate programs and outcomes of care within health care organizations. Topics will include data collection and extraction, and their implications for policy and quality within the health care setting.
Prerequisite(s): DNP-820
DNP-845 Quality, Safety and Regulatory in Health Care (2 credits)
This course is designed to develop the student's knowledge of evaluating health care and health care systems from a systematic and comprehensive science-based, data-driven perspective. Evaluation methodologies in this course will be appraised in populations, organizations, systems, programs/projects, health informatics, practice guidelines/protocols, health policy, and other health-related entities. The primary purpose of this course is to prepare DNP students to be able to lead evaluation, patient safety, and regulatory and accreditation teams to influence high-level decision-making in all areas of health care.
Prerequisite(s): DNP-820
DNP-850 Translational Research I (3 credits)
In this course, the student will begin to conceptualize the DNP Scholarly Project under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Students will further develop knowledge and skill in systematic inquiry about clinical phenomena, interventions, and issues using the best available evidence to guide translation of new knowledge into practice.
Prerequisite(s): DNP-820
DNP-855 Healthcare Economics and Financial Management (2 credits)
This course is designed to develop the student's knowledge in healthcare economics and financial management as it relates to the nurse leaders' role in health care. The primary purpose of this course is to prepare DNP students to be able to synthesize and appraise healthcare economics and financial management concepts to promote health care value and operational effectiveness.
Prerequisite(s): DNP-820
DNP-860 Scholarly Project I (3 credits)
This is the first of two DNP Scholarly Project courses. The student will refine previous learning in the development, implementation and evaluation of a system level change project that will improve health care outcomes. The student will conduct a scholarly project based on the art and science of nursing, principles of science and evidence-based practice, health care quality, and systems leadership. In previous course work, the student has defined a problem of interest (DNP-810, Epidemiology and Biostatistics), explored the problem of interest (DNP-820, Practice-Based Inquiry), and critically appraised the evidence (DNP-820, Practice-Based Inquiry and DNP-850, Translational Research I). During this course, students will submit the first three chapters of the Scholarly Project to an Alverno College faculty member for their review. These chapters include problem identification, evidence, project methodology, and defending the proposal in front of a panel of Alverno faculty members. Once the panel approves the project, project implementation may begin, with findings being written in the DNP-950 Scholarly Project II course.
Prerequisite(s): DNP-820
DNP-910 Health Systems & Public Policy (2 credits)
Students will examine current issues in health care policy and the role of nurse leaders working within organization and systems to affect policy change for the betterment of population health. 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. This course will explore the many factors that shape health policy and that have implications for ethical decision making and distribution of resources. This course involves travel in the US and abroad to explore health policies and to advocate for better policies. Students must be available for this travel.
Prerequisite(s): DNP-850 & DNP-860 This course requires travel.
DNP-920 Ethical Leadership-Health Care (2 credits)
Students will acquire knowledge and skills necessary to excel in the ethical leadership of organizations and groups. Through the use of theories and transformational leadership research, including systems perspectives, organizational change and inter-professional collaboration, students will apply knowledge and skills to resolve complex clinical situations found at the organizational level. Focus areas will include professional and fiscal accountability, legal issues, values and ethics, effective group management, conflict management and resolution, and health care advocacy for vulnerable populations. Instructor will contact enrolled students with directions.
DNP-930 Clinical Practicum II (1 credit)
The student will be immersed in an in-depth practice and leadership experience that will provide the opportunity to gain advanced skills, engage in scholarship, and address multifactorial issues that impact health outcomes for individuals, families, communities and health care systems. Depending upon the student's educational track (e.g. practice or leadership), the clinical practicum site will be the focus area of their Scholarly Project. A total of 1,000 post-baccalaureate practice hours is required over the course of study. All caregiver background checks, CPR certification, and health requirements met.
Prerequisite(s): DNP-830
DNP-940 Genetics & Genomics-Healthcare (4 credits)
Students will acquire an essential understanding of medical genetics, genomics, and bioinformatics that is shaping the way common and rare diseases are being treated today. While exploring new diagnostic and treatment advances in health care, discussion as to how these advances will affect the future of health care, including ethical decision-making, will be explored.
DNP-945 Creating Agility in Dynamic Environments (4 credits)
Students grow as worldly managers by developing the abilities, thinking, and discipline knowledge from core knowledge areas needed to build enduring, agile organizations. This course focuses on change leadership, management-leadership, teamwork and collaboration to develop each student's ability to anticipate and respond to changing markets, global operating environments, and unforeseen event. Students also study legal, regulatory, and ethical issues confronting today's business leaders, and use values-based decision making frameworks to develop their ability to successfully navigate an ever-changing operating environment. Students apply theories and concepts through case study analysis, simulations, and a semester long immersion experience.
Prerequisite(s): DNP-910 & DNP-920 Only students in the Leadership track take this class; it is optional for those in the Direct Care track.
DNP-950 Translational Research II (3 credits)
This course is the second of two courses that allows the student to complete a DNP Scholarly Project under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Students will further develop knowledge and skill in systematic inquiry about clinical phenomena, interventions, and issues using the best available evidence to guide translation of new knowledge into practice. In this second course, the DNP Scholarly Project outcomes will be analyzed and disseminated in a scholarly paper and formal presentation.
DNP-960 Scholarly Project II (2-5 credits)
In this course, the student will refine previous learning in the development, implementation and evaluation of a system level change project that will improve health care outcomes. The student will conduct a scholarly project based on the art and science of nursing, principles of science and evidence-based practice, health care quality, and systems leadership. In previous course work, the student has defined a problem of interest (DNP-810, Epidemiology and Biostatistics), explored the problem of interest (DNP-820, Practice-Based Inquiry), and critically appraised the evidence (DNP-820, Practice-Based Inquiry and DNP-850, Translational Research). During this course, students will submit the first three chapters of the Scholarly Project to an Alverno College faculty mentor for review and approval. These chapters include problem identification and conceptualization, evidence, and project methodology. Once the mentor has approved the project implementation may begin. As the student signs up for additional Scholarly Project credits, the student will synthesize and integrate previous learning in the implementation and evaluation of a system level change project that will improve health care outcomes. The student will complete a scholarly project based on the art and science of nursing, principles of science and evidence-based practice, health care quality, and systems leadership. The discussion of data, recommendations and implications based on the project findings will be developed. A scholarly APA formatted manuscript will be developed and submitted to the Alverno College School of Nursing faculty, and scholarly findings will be disseminated through an oral presentation. Taken for variable credit. NOTE: minimum of 5 credits required to graduate. Consult faculty mentor for meetings.
Prerequisite(s): DNP-850