Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.)
College: College of Science and Health
Department: Nursing and Health
Student Type: Doctorate Semester
Degree: Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) in Executive Leadership
Campus: Lisle Campus
Introduction:
Innovative and complex healthcare systems need nurses to shape the future of practice, lead organization change, and practice at the highest level of nursing expertise. To meet the continually changing demands and ensure cost effective, safe, and quality nursing care, Benedictine University’s Department of Nursing and Health offers its online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Executive Leadership to prepare graduate registered nurses to serve and lead in positions of influence and impact across the healthcare system.
Program description:
The Benedictine University Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program in Executive Leadership provides an innovative curriculum designed for working professionals seeking to assume positions of leadership focused on the transformation of healthcare across the nation. Foundational to the program is the model of caring within the context of community which is fostered through engaging dialogue and meaningful interactions with faculty, colleagues, and clinical partners. Students advance their knowledge and leadership expertise through focused coursework, clinical practice experiences, and completion of a DNP project. The program facilitates the shaping of DNP students into visionary nurse leaders prepared to drive innovation and serve in leadership roles that impact the future of nursing and healthcare delivery. The postgraduate degree program can be completed in 24-26 months. Courses run eight weeks in duration and are taken one at a time in a laddered sequence. Work/Life Experience Credit may be awarded to meet the planned clinical practice experience hours associated with NRHL 7000 Graduate Clinical Immersion Practicum. Requests are made to the Nursing and Health chair or graduate program director after acceptance into the DNP program. Students are required to submit appropriate documentation as part of the prior learning assessment. The maximum number of credits that may be obtained through work/life experience is 3 semester hours.
Clinical Learning Experiences:
The Department of Nursing and Health provides DNP students with the necessary resources and support to secure and prepare for their planned clinical practice experiences. Students may request a clinical site and preceptor including placement at their place of employment. Students are required to fulfill the Department of Nursing and Health and all site-specific preparatory requirements in accordance with established deadlines.
Curriculum
The DNP program requires 40 semester credit hours of graduate coursework, which consists of 4 semester credit hours of NRHL 7000 Graduate Clinical Immersion Practicum or 500 hours of planned clinical nursing practicum experience completed in a graduate nursing program, 24 semester credit hours of coursework delivered online, and 12 semester credit hours of on-ground clinical practice experiences. A total of 500 hours of planned clinical practice experiences are completed during the final four courses allowing for the development of doctoral level clinical nursing practice competence. A culminating DNP project affords students the opportunity to synthesize and apply their knowledge to demonstrate advanced nursing competence and improve patient/client outcomes. The eight DNP foundation courses and four practicum courses are required for program completion. Courses include:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NRHL 7000 | Graduate Clinical Immersion Practicum 1 | 4 |
| NRHL 7700 | Advanced Knowledge for Innovative Nursing Practice | 3 |
| NRHL 7702 | Appraisal and Translation of Scholarly Evidence into Nursing Practice | 3 |
| NRHL 7704 | Information Management and Healthcare Technologies | 3 |
| NRHL 7706 | Leading a Culture of Quality and Safety | 3 |
| NRHL 7720 | Advanced Financial Management and Economics of Healthcare Systems | 3 |
| NRHL 7722 | Advocacy and Accountability for Person-Centered Care | 3 |
| NRHL 7724 | Engagement in Interprofessional Partnerships to Support Population Health | 3 |
| NRHL 7726 | Transformative Nursing Leadership and Professionalism | 3 |
| NRHL 8800 | DNP Project Proposal and Development/Practicum | 3 |
| NRHL 8802 | DNP Project Implementation/Practicum | 3 |
| NRHL 8804 | DNP Project Evaluation/Practicum | 3 |
| NRHL 8806 | DNP Project Dissemination/Practicum | 3 |
| Total Hours | 40 | |
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Prior to admission, students are required to provide evidence of 500 hours of supervised clinical practice experiences at the graduate level, which will be verified by the director of the DNP program. A one semester credit hour waiver is granted for every previously earned 125 hours of graduate level supervised clinical practice experiences. Students who do not have a minimum of 500 hours will work with the director of the DNP program to complete the requirement through enrollment in NRHL 7000 Graduate Clinical Immersion Practicum. Work/Life Experience Credit may be applied to meet NRHL 7000 requirements.
Academic Progression
In order for students to progress in the DNP program a grade of a “B” or better is required in all courses. If a student does not earn a grade of a “B” or better in any course it may be repeated no more than two times. No additional credit hours will be earned.
Accreditation
The DNP program received approval by the Higher Learning Commission in February 2022. The Department of Nursing and Health applied for new applicant status for the DNP Program with the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
(CCNE is located at 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington D. C., 20001, (202) 887-6791
Faculty
Deborah Jezuit (2010), Ph.D., M.S.N., RN
Department Chair, B.S.N. Program Director, M.S.N.
Associate Professor, Nursing and Health
Ph.D. 2001, Rush University
M.S. in Nursing 1988 Purdue University
B.S.N. 1975, Ball State University
Alison Ridge (2012), D.N.P., M.S.N., RN, CNE
Graduate Program Director, M.S.N.
Associate Professor, Nursing and Health
D.N.P. 2010, Rush University
M.S.N. 2004, Rush University
B.S.N. 1986, Rush University
B.A. 1985, North Central College
Lecturers
Mary Bemker, Ph.D., M.S.N., RN
Lecturer, M.S.N.
Marti Kessack, Ph.D., M.S.N./Ed., RN
Lecturer, M.S.N.
Camille McNicholas, Ph.D., M.S.N., RN, CRNA, APRN
Lecturer, M.S.N.
Sarah Mutschlecner, D.N.P., M.S.N., RN, FNP-BC
Lecturer, M.S.N.
Therese Shipps, D.N.Sc., M.S.N., RN
Lecturer, M.S.N.
Judith Treschuk, Ph.D., M.S.N., RN, CNS, CNE
Lecturer, M.S.N.
Jasmin Whitfield, D.N.P., M.S.N., M.P.H., RN
Lecturer, M.S.N.
Marilyn Wideman, D.N.P., M.S.N., RN
Lecturer, M.S.N.
The lecturers listed are individuals who have been employed as instructors on an as-needed basis, within the last several years, to teach courses at Benedictine University. Instructors listed may not currently be employed by Benedictine University. The University is fortunate to be able to provide our students with part-time faculty whose experience, credentials and commitment to education add to the high quality of our resident faculty.
Students in the DNP program will achieve the following student learning outcomes (SLO):
Student Learning Outcome 1: Integrate nursing knowledge and science and relevant science-based theories as the basis for the highest level of nursing practice.
• University SLO: 1. Disciplinary Competence and Skills
Student Learning Outcome 2: Critically appraise existing research to determine and implement the best evidence to advance the scholarship of nursing.
• University SLO 5: Analytical Skills
Student Learning Outcome 3: Use systems thinking and current leadership practices to develop healthcare policy intended to promote a culture of safety and deliver quality cost-effective care.
• University SLO: 8. Stewardship
Student Learning Outcome 4: Conduct informed decision-making based on relevant data and information technology to effectively communicate strategic initiatives that support nursing practice.
• University SLO: 4. Information Fluency
Student Learning Outcome 5: Lead interprofessional partnerships and teams focused on the improvement of patient and population health outcomes in an ethical, legal, and fiscally responsible manner.
• University SLO: 7. Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility
Student Learning Outcome 6: Prepare for a position of nursing leadership along the continuum of professional socialization through mentorship and development of others.
• University SLO: 1. Disciplinary Competence and Skills
Student Learning Outcome 7: Advocate for person-centered caring relationships in collaboration with clinical partners to enhance health and well-being of persons.
• University SLO: 3. Communication Skills
Student Learning Outcome 8: Engage in partnerships to support and improve equitable population health outcomes.
• University SLO: 6. Global Awareness and Cultural Competence
Student Learning Outcome 9: Complete a systems-based DNP practice project that demonstrates synthesis of coursework and clinical experiences that contributes to system effectiveness, innovation, and evidence-based nursing practice.
• University SLO: 2. Critical and Creative Thinking Skills
Student Learning Outcome 10: Demonstrate the ability to function independently in a nursing leadership role within a complex healthcare system.
• University SLO: 9. Personal Development
Starting the Program
Applicants must have:
• a Master of Science or higher degree in Nursing from a regionally accredited college or university.
• earned a GPA of 3.000 or higher (on a 4.000 scale) calculated for master’s and/or higher degree in nursing program coursework.
• official sealed transcripts from the institution where the highest degree in nursing was conferred.
• proof of unencumbered license as a registered nurse in the U.S.
• a minimum of two years of full-time work experience as a registered nurse in a healthcare setting.
• Two letters of recommendation from persons who hold a doctoral degree (preferred) or M.S.N. degree and can address the academic, communication, and professional skills of the applicant.
• current curriculum vitae or resume.
• completion of a purpose statement which reflects scholarly professional writing, prior leadership experience, and the identification of a potential practice project (500 words).
• an interview with the graduate program director or designated faculty.
• completion of the clinical practice verification form.
Prior to admission students are required to provide evidence of the clinical nursing practice hours they completed at the master’s level which will be verified by the graduate program director. Students who do not have the required 500 hours of clinical nursing practice at the graduate level will work with the graduate program director and their faculty advisor to plan completion through enrollment in NRHL 7000 Graduate Clinical Immersion Practicum (1-4). The total 500 hours must be completed prior to enrollment in NRHL 8800 DNP Project Proposal and Development/Practicum.
Students are admitted as a cohort and progress through the program in a lock-step fashion. In the event students must step out of their original cohort group, options for re-entering the program with the same or a subsequent cohort group will be provided. The option to enroll in the eight foundation courses in any sequence provides flexibility for the returning student. All foundation courses however, must be completed prior to entering the clinical practicum experience beginning with NRHL 8800 DNP Project Proposal and Development/Practicum. Students are required to complete all DNP coursework and graduate requirements within six years from initial enrollment in the DNP program.
Accepted students must meet health and safety requirements including selected immunizations and screening tests, CPR certification, flu shot, COVID-19 vaccine, health insurance, and professional liability insurance. Additional requirements may be necessary as specified by the agency at which the clinical experiences are conducted. Documentation is submitted to a Department of Nursing and Health designated vendor. A one-time fee is paid by the student upon activation of the document tracking account. Submission and approval of required documentation must be completed in accordance with established dates.