College of Nursing

Curriculum

Purpose and Objectives

The purpose of this program leading to the degree of Doctorate of Nursing Practice is to prepare the graduate for advanced independent clinical practice. Nursing practice, as defined by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) (2004), refers to any nursing intervention that influences health care outcomes for individuals or populations. Objectives for the program are based upon recommendations for essential curriculum elements as identified by the AACN.

Upon completion of the program the graduate will be able to:

1. Implement and evaluate clinical practice based on scientific knowledge.
2. Assume advanced nursing roles in clinical practice.
3. Demonstrate advanced leadership skills necessary to meet the challenges of an increasingly complex health care setting .
4. Demonstrate analytical methodologies for the evaluation of clinical practice and the application of scientific evidence
5. Use advanced skills to access and utilize contemporary technological information systems.
6. Demonstrate expertise in the analysis and formulation of health care policy.
7. Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams necessary to meet health care needs of individuals and populations.
8. Apply ethical theories and legal standards to decision making in health care issues.

Approved: November 10, 2005 by the Board of Trustees, University of South Florida.

Curriculum

Our DNP curriculum model enhances the masters prepared nurse practitioner. In the DNP program, the emphasis is on the application and evaluation of research. The practice-focused doctorate is a distinct model of doctoral education that provides an additional option for obtaining a terminal degree in the discipline. Students accepted into the DNP program will complete the core courses and select a concentration they wish to specialize in.

Total credits: 52

Knowledge Building Core (Required) (min 37 crs)

• NGR 6673 Epidemiology for Advanced Nursing (3)
• NGR 7932 Fundamentals of Stats for Clinicians (3) (effective Fall 2011)
• NGR 7951 Scientific Writing-Publication (3)
• NGR 7103 Evidence Based Practice (3)
• NGR 7141 Pathophysiology for Adv Practice II (3)
• NGR 7766 Leadership & System Analysis (3)
• NGR 7881 Ethics in Research and Practice (3)
• NGR 7892 Health Policy Issues in Nursing and Health Care (3)
• NGR 7974 Evidence Based Project (4)
• NGR 7945 DNP Residency (9)

Advanced Practice Cognate (15 crs)

• NGR 7176 Pharmacotherapeutics (3)
• NGR 7209 Diagnostic Reasoning (3)
• NGR 7767 Practice Management (3)
• Electives (6)

DNP Evidence Based Projects are to be completed in a minimum of 2 semesters
DNP Residencies of 500 hours are to be completed over a minimum of 3 semesters
DNP Residencies of 1000 hours are to be completed over a minimum of 4 semesters

As approved by Graduate Council 04/16/2012, effective Fall 2012. Will be published in 2013-2014 USF Graduate Catalog.