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2020-2021 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

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Post-M.S.N. Health Systems Leadership Doctor of Nursing Practice

Grand Valley State University's Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) is offered through the universitys Kirkhof College of Nursing and is designed for nurses seeking a terminal degree in nursing practice. It is the only program of its type in West Michigan.

The D.N.P. curriculum is consistent with the national agenda to transform American health care through interprofessional collaboration, health care policy advocacy, patient-centered care, quality/safety initiatives, and use of informatics. The program offers two emphasis areas: Advanced Nursing Practice (Child/Adolescent or Adult/Older Adult) and Health Systems Leadership.

Website: gvsu.edu/grad/dnp/

The Post-M.S.N. Health Systems Leadership (H.S.L.) Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) program is designed for nurses who have an earned an M.S.N. degree. The D.N.P. degree builds on the foundational knowledge, skills, and competencies of the M.S.N.-prepared nurse. Students must complete the assigned coursework with a grade of B (3.0) or better. The Post-M.S.N. Doctor of Nursing Practice courses are offered in a hybrid format that includes online coursework with two-five classroom learning session on campus/semester. Applied learning experiences through clinical practicum occur in the final year. The courses are offered primarily in the Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences. State-of-the-art facilities support the use of technology to enhance student learning.

Mission: The mission of the Kirkhof College of Nursing is to provide quality nursing education to a diverse population of students. Kirkhof College of Nursing strives to improve the well-being of people through leadership in nursing education, professional practice and scholarship.

Accreditation: The D.N.P. program is accredited through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), a national accreditation agency.

Minimum number of hours for graduation: The post-MSN HSL DNP program consist of 38 credits completed over 5 semesters. An additional 8 credits will be granted in recognition of clinical practicums/courses that were completed in the MSN degree (360 clinical hours; 1 credit = 45 clinical hours), meeting the University requirement of 45 earned credits for a doctoral degree.

Admission:

  1. Complete the GVSU graduate application available at gvsu.edu/kcon specifying the D.N.P. option.
  2. Transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate programs that verify completion of baccalaureate and master's program(s) in nursing from CCNE- or NLN-accredited schools. GPA will be calculated using all college coursework. 3.0/4.0 is required.
  3. Current curriculum vitae or resume.

Full admission is contingent on the following:

  1. Current licensure to practice in Michigan
  2. Successful completion of a required criminal background check and drug screen
  3. Compliance with health record, immunization, and other KCON graduate program requirements.
  4. Educational and professional goal statement. Statement must articulate how attaining a graduate nursing degree will facilitate goal achievement. Statement should be approximately two typed, double-spaced pages.
  5. Scholarly writing sample on a specified topic using the guidelines in the online application. Applicants will submit this electronically through the application system.
  6. Participate in a qualifying interview with KCON faculty.
  7. Test scores from the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), or IELTS (International English Language Testing System), or MELAB (Michigan English Language Assessment Battery) for applicants whose native language is not English. Only original score reports will be accepted.

Program Location: The D.N.P. degree program is offered at the College of Health Sciences campus in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Nurse Executive Certification

Students completing the health systems leadership track will be qualified for and encouraged to sit for national certification as a nurse executive.

Requirements

Graduate Nursing Core (19 credits)

Leadership Core (19 credits)


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