The online Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Abilene Christian University helps you grow as a clinician and a leader within the healthcare industry. You will serve others through God’s love and become a vital resource to your community.
Who Should Consider the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program?
When you earn a doctorate in nursing practice (DNP) at ACU, you will be qualified to lead in quality healthcare delivery. You will impact the legal and ethical aspects of healthcare delivery models, even as these are in a state of change. Your degree will enable you to work in both clinical and academic arenas, empowering you to offer advanced patient care, influence healthcare policy, and teach nursing to the newest generation of caregivers.
This online Doctor of Nursing Practice program offers an alternative to a research-based doctoral degree for nurses. It is designed for those who desire to lead the healthcare team through a Christian lens. Inspired? Let’s explore the program qualifications.
Doctor of Nursing Practice Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in nursing
- Minimum graduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Unencumbered registered nurse status and current advanced practice nursing licensure and certification
- Have completed a basic statistics course
- Maintain a current CPR certification
- Pride yourself on excellent academic abilities, character, and professional ability
Program Benefits
The online Doctor of Nursing Practice program is an excellent choice for nurses who want to build their experience and knowledge with an advanced degree that broadens its reach beyond research alone.
Advantages of the DNP program at ACU:
- No residency requirement. You perform all required clinical hours within your community, applying what you learn to positively impact patients with whom you have a meaningful relationship. This is also beneficial if you have family or other demands, as relocation is not necessary to complete the program. Instead, you can select the site for practical application of concepts that you have learned.
- Personal attention. A faculty mentor from ACU guides you through the curriculum and practicum. This one-on-one mentorship allows you to develop a close interpersonal relationship with an expert in your field. You will communicate on an ongoing basis and share ideas, thereby developing innovative concepts needed to lead in the profession.
- Fulfillment of Christian mission. You will be able to apply your skills and knowledge in healthcare in a way that is pleasing to God. Faculty members, mentors, and fellow students also have the desire to please God first and foremost. They will add to your education by framing important questions within a Christian perspective.
Why ACU?
- Mission. The mission of the Doctor of Nursing Practice program is to prepare advanced practice nurses for the next generation of healthcare. It also provides thorough knowledge that will lead to health practice changes impacting individual and population health outcomes.
- Environment. ACU’s Christian environment provides the perfect setting if you desire to make a lasting impact upon the medical profession. The DNP program not only provides the knowledge and skills necessary to manage in healthcare settings, but also grounds the learning experiences in a Christian-based setting. The instructors at ACU and fellow students exchange viewpoints on how to lead in a healthcare organization through a dedication to Christian values.
What Will I Learn in the Doctor of Nursing Program?
You will complete 10 core courses and three research courses, two of which involve DNP capstone project development. The program focuses on:
- Integration of nursing science with knowledge from ethics, biophysical, psychosocial, analytical, and organizational sciences to enhance health and alleviate or ameliorate illness.
- Development, implementation, and evaluation of care delivery approaches.
- Development of consultative and leadership skills to create excellence in health care delivery.
- Integration of Christian identity in influencing the health care delivery system to promote social justice, equity, and ethical policy.
Curriculum
The Doctor of Nursing Practice program includes both foundational and research courses.
Foundational Courses
- The DNP Role
- Epidemiology & Populational Health
- Informatics to Improve Patient Outcomes
- Genomic Implications in Advanced Practice
- Healthcare Finance for Advanced Practice Nursing
- Role of DNP in Policy Development
- Foundations of Integrative Care
- Role of DNP in Chronic Care
- Systems Leadership for Safety, Quality, & Efficiency
- Healthcare Reform & Pay for Performance
Research Courses
- Applied Statistics & Research
- DNP Project I
- DNP Project II
The Doctor of Nursing Practice program from ACU offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful, sustainable, Christ-driven impact not only in the healthcare industry as a whole, but within your community as well. We welcome your inquiry and look forward to exploring how our program can empower your calling.