Doctor of Nursing Practice - Program Details

Vision

The Division of Nursing provides a rigorous education founded upon the liberal arts, which prepares professional nurse graduates who holistically serve individuals, families, and
communities, in a caring capacity in a complex global society.

Mission

As an integral part of our parent institutions, the UMFK/UMPI nursing faculty members deliver a transformative nursing education to prepare graduates who serve as nurse clinicians, scholars, and educators to meet the health needs of the people of Maine and beyond. Program Description: The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is a terminal degree in nursing and represents the highest level of clinical nursing education. The UMFK DNP program prepares practicing nurses to gain advanced practice and leadership skills to manage the healthcare team, effectively utilize evidence-based practice, improve healthcare outcomes, and influence healthcare policy. The DNP program credit and practice hours exceed what is expected of master’s level preparation.

Program Goals

In fulfillment of its mission, the Division of Nursing will:

1. Prepare nursing leaders who will shape the future of healthcare;
2. Promote the development of nursing science through research and evidence-based practice;
3. Develop clinical partnerships that foster student and program growth;
4. Increase diversity and inclusiveness within our community
5. Be the destination for outstanding, talented faculty and students.

Program Outcomes*

1. Scientific Foundation Competencies
   • Critically analyzes data and evidence for improving advanced nursing practice.
   • Integrates knowledge from the humanities and sciences within the context of nursing science.
   • Translates research and other forms of knowledge to improve practice processes and outcomes.
   • Develops new practice approaches based on the integration of research, theory, and practice knowledge
2. Leadership Competencies
   • Assumes complex and advanced leadership roles to initiate and guide change.
   • Provides leadership to foster collaboration with multiple stakeholders (e.g. patients, community, integrated healthcare teams, and policy makers) to improve health care.
   • Demonstrates leadership that uses critical and reflective thinking.
   • Advocates for improved access, quality and cost effective health care.
   • Advances practice through the development and implementation of innovations incorporating principles of change.
   • Communicates practice knowledge effectively both orally and in writing.
   • Participates in professional organizations and activities that influence advanced practice nursing and/or health outcomes of a population focus.
3. Quality Competencies
   • Uses best available evidence to continuously improve quality of clinical practice.
   • Evaluates the relationships among access, cost, quality, and safety and their influence on health care.
   • Evaluates how organizational structure, care processes, financing, marketing and policy decisions impact the quality of health care.
   • Applies skills in peer review to promote a culture of excellence.
   • Anticipates variations in practice and is proactive in implementing interventions to ensure quality.
4. Practice Inquiry Competencies
   • Provides leadership in the translation of new knowledge into practice.
   • Generates knowledge from clinical practice to improve practice and patient outcomes.
   • Applies clinical investigative skills to improve health outcomes.
   • Leads practice inquiry, individually or in partnership with others.
   • Disseminates evidence from inquiry to diverse audiences using multiple modalities.
   • Analyzes clinical guidelines for individualized application into practice
5. Technology and Information Literacy Competencies
   • Integrates appropriate technologies for knowledge management to improve health care.
   • Translates technical and scientific health information appropriate for various users’ needs.
     • Assesses the patient’s and caregiver’s educational needs to provide effective, personalized health care.
     • Coaches the patient and caregiver for positive behavioral change.
   • Demonstrates information literacy skills in complex decision making.
   • Contributes to the design of clinical information systems that promote safe, quality and cost effective care.
   • Uses technology systems that capture data on variables for the evaluation of nursing care.
6. Policy Competencies
   • Demonstrates an understanding of the interdependence of policy and practice.
   • Advocates for ethical policies that promote access, equity, quality, and cost.
   • Analyzes ethical, legal, and social factors influencing policy development.
   • Contributes in the development of health policy.
   • Analyzes the implications of health policy across disciplines.
   • Evaluates the impact of globalization on healthcare policy development.
7. Health Delivery System Competencies
   • Applies knowledge of organizational practices and complex systems to improve healthcare delivery.
   • Effects healthcare change using broad based skills including negotiating, consensus-building, and partnering.
   • Minimizes risk to patients and providers at the individual and systems level.
   • Facilitates the development of healthcare systems that address the needs of culturally diverse populations, providers, and other stakeholders.
   • Evaluates the impact of healthcare delivery on patients, providers, other stakeholders, and the environment.
   • Analyzes organizational structure, functions and resources to improve the delivery of care.
   • Collaborates in planning for transitions across the continuum of care.
8. Ethics Competencies
   • Integrates ethical principles in decision making.
   • Evaluates the ethical consequences of decisions.
   • Applies ethically sound solutions to complex issues related to individuals, populations and systems of care.
9. Independent Practice Competencies
   • Functions as a licensed independent practitioner.
   • Demonstrates the highest level of accountability for professional practice.
   • Practices independently managing previously diagnosed and undiagnosed patients.
     • Provides the full spectrum of healthcare services to include health promotion, disease prevention, health protection, anticipatory guidance, counseling, disease management, palliative, and end of life care.
     • Uses advanced health assessment skills to differentiate between normal, variations of normal and abnormal findings.
     • Employs screening and diagnostic strategies in the development of diagnoses.
     • Prescribes medications within scope of practice.
     • Manages the health/illness status of patients and families over time.
   • Provides patient-centered care recognizing cultural diversity and the patient or designee as a full partner in decision-making.
     • Works to establish a relationship with the patient characterized by mutual respect, empathy, and collaboration.
     • Creates a climate of patient-centered care to include confidentiality, privacy, comfort, emotional support, mutual trust, and respect.
     • Incorporates the patient’s cultural and spiritual preferences, values, and beliefs into health care.
     • Preserves the patient’s control over decision making by negotiating a mutually acceptable plan of care.

*Program outcomes adopted from National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF, 2017)

 

Graduation Requirements

1. Complete a minimum of 39-42 credits in the DNP program;
2. Maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher;
3. Complete all courses with a grade of B- or higher.

Assessment Techniques

Assessment of student progress toward achieving program outcomes is completed in a variety
of ways. Students written work, course examinations, hands on experiences, and student,
preceptor, and employer surveys are all utilized for formative and summative evaluation. A
cumulative, professional portfolio is also submitted for evaluation.

 

Grading Scale

A grade of “B-” or higher required for all courses.

Grade	Percent	GPA
A	93-100%	4.00
A-	90-92%	3.67
B+	87-89%	3.33
B	83-86%	3.00
B-	80-82	2.67
C+	78-79%  (unsatisfactory for progression)	2.33
C	73-77%  (unsatisfactory for progression)	2.00
C-	70-72%  (unsatisfactory for progression)	1.67
D+	67-69%  (unsatisfactory for progression)	1.33
D	63-66%  (unsatisfactory for progression)	1.00
D-	60-62%  (unsatisfactory for progression)	0.67
F	≤ 59%    (unsatisfactory for progression)	0.00

Admission Criteria

1. Master’s degree in nursing from a regionally accredited college or university;
2. College level statistics course with a grade of C or higher;
3. Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale;
4. Current, unencumbered RN license in a U.S. state;
5. Nurse Practitioner DNP students must be board certified in their population focused area;
6. Resume

Total Credits

45 credits

Time to Completion

In as little as 18 months (12 credits per semester; 6 credits every 7 weeks)

Transfer Credits

Transfer credits from other colleges and universities are reviewed upon request. A grade of B- or higher must be earned to request credit transfer.

Transfer Students

Acceptance into the DNP program as a transfer student is contingent upon the student meeting all entrance requirements, as well as availability of class and clinical space. Depending on the course credits being transferred, prospective transfer students may be required to demonstrate satisfactory validation of knowledge and skills, which may require registration for direct study credits, through successful completion of
standardized examinations, evaluation of clinical skills, or through completion of the prior learning assessment (PLA) process, such as creation of a portfolio.