Doctor of Nursing Practice: Advanced Nursing Practice Track (post MSN)

The post-MSN doctoral degree in Advanced Practice Nursing (APN) prepares APNs to function more effectively in the increasingly complex health care system. Given the expansion of scientific knowledge required for safe nursing practice and the growing focus on the quality of patient care delivery and outcomes, this track will provide students with the specialized knowledge and skills needed by today’s practitioner. Students in this track will use their existing understanding of the practice context to document practice trends, identify potential systemic changes, and make improvements in the care of particular patient populations in the systems within which they practice.

Admission Requirements

Admission to a post-MSN doctoral degree program requires approval by the Graduate Nursing Admission, Progression, and Graduation Committee. Admission of applicants is based upon the following criteria:

1. MSN from a CCNE or ACEN accredited nursing program

2. Minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA for graduate work is required

3. Language Proficiency: Language proficiency is required to ensure that students within the department of nursing are able to communicate with a diverse population.

The department of nursing accepts one of the following as evidence of required language proficiency. Only official score reports will be accepted.

• TOEFL-iBT (internet-based test) and receive a total score of 83 or higher AND a score of 26 or higher on the speaking test OR

• IELTS (International English Language Testing System) and receive a total band score of 7 or higher AND a speaking band score of 8 or higher OR

• Language training at an approved center. Bellarmine University recognized the following standards and centers: English Language Services level 112 (http://www.els.edu/en); Interlink Level 5 (http://interlink.edu/); Intensive Language Program at Indiana University Level 6 (http://iep.indiana.edu/); and other centers may be approved at the discretion of the Admission, Progression and Graduation committee of the Department of Nursing.

International students who are exempt from language proficiency requirements are the following:

• Students who are citizens of or have completed a degree from a TOEFL exempt country.

• Students who have a secondary or high school diploma earned in TOEFL exempt countries.

• International students who have completed at least one year of full-time university study or its equivalent (i.e., a minimum of 24 earned credit hours or its equivalent and earned a 2.0 GPA) in a TOEFL exempt country

4. Two professional references (on form provided) addressing academic skills including oral and written communication, as well as clinical competence, from individuals who hold a master's or doctoral degree

5. Goal statement

6. Evidence of Nurse Executive, Advanced Certification (NEA-BC) if held (NURS 841 is waived for students with this certification)

7. Current CV or resume describing relevant work, professional, and volunteer experiences

8. Proof of active, unrestricted license to practice nursing in Kentucky and/or compact states

9. Completed verification of post-baccalaureate clinical and practice hours form

10. Graduate level statistics course within 5 years of projected program start date. Applicants who do not meet this criterion may be admitted and complete the course as part of their program of study.

11. Additional information is required from international applicants; see the DNP admission application form for more information.

After initial review of applications, applicants may be contacted for an interview with graduate faculty members. Please be aware that, depending upon the size of the applicant pool, meeting the minimum requirements may not assure admission.

Technical Standards

Each student must be able to meet the basic technical standards of performance necessary for the practice of nursing (provided at the time of application) for admission and progression in the program of study. The post-master’s degree program curriculum is designed to provide the education necessary for nurses to assume a role as nurse educators or nurse administrators. Students in the post-master’s degree program are expected to fulfill the following technical standards:

• Acquire information from demonstrations and experiences in the basic and applied sciences, including but not limited to information conveyed through lecture, group seminar, small group activities and physical demonstrations.

• Acquire information from written documents and computer-information systems (including literature searches and data retrieval), and identify information presented in images from paper, video, transparencies and slides.

• Synthesize information, problem solve and think critically to judge which theory and/or strategy of assessment and intervention is most appropriate.

• Use intellectual ability, exercise proper judgment, timely and accurately complete responsibilities attendant to the advanced practice role.

• Maintain effective, mature, and sensitive relationships with clients, students, faculty, staff and other professionals under all circumstances.

• Communicate effectively and efficiently with faculty, colleagues, preceptors and all members of the health care team during practicum and other learning experiences.

• Possess emotional stability to function effectively under stress and adapt to changing environments inherent in the classroom and practice setting.

Upon admission, a candidate in any nursing program who discloses a disability and requests accommodation will be referred to Disability Services (Bellarmine Office Building, 502/272-8480). The University will provide reasonable accommodations, but is not required to make modifications that would substantially alter the nature or requirements of a program or provide auxiliary aids that present an undue burden to the University. To matriculate or continue in the curriculum, the candidate must be able to perform all the essential functions outlined in the Technical Standards either with or without accommodation.

DNP students will be required to have ready access to a computer, printer and Internet service provider that has high speed DSL or broadband Internet access and should possess moderate information technology skills.