DNP Course Descriptions
GPNG 910 Health Policy (3 cr)
This course will explore contemporary issues in health care financing and delivery, including the assessment of major public programs and their relationship to access and cost, demand for health care services, fee for services, and prepaid systems. The political issues underpinning public policy and decisions related to specific health services issues, as well as consequences of historical decisions are examined. The societal and organizational context of the delivery of nursing services across various settings are explored through cases and current trends.
GPNS 912 Clinical Scholarship for Evidence Based Practice (3 cr)
This course emphasizes the relationship between nursing interventions and patient outcomes and enables the student to conceptualize, provide a rationale and measure nursing interventions. Patient outcomes are evaluated and related research examined. Clinical protocols, practice guidelines, databases and nurse sensitive measures are defined and explicated. Prerequisites: Admission to DNP program or permission of faculty.
GPNS 913 Identification of Capstone Practicum (1 cr)
Guided study to assist in the identification and clarification of capstone experience.
GPNS 914 Epidemiology (3cr)
This course studies the distribution of disease in populations and the study of risk and prevention of diseases. Principles and methods of epidemiologic investigation including describing the patterns of illness in populations and research designs for investigating the etiology of disease are explored. Quantitative measures are used to determine risk, association and procedures for standardization of rates. Examination of major health problems such as cancer, chronic disease, and infectious processes is included.
GPNS 916 Health Care Information Systems (3 cr)
A multidisciplinary approach to informatics will be used to incorporate nursing science, computer science and information science. Students will analyze information requirements, design system alternatives, and consider the management of resources. The evaluation of the effectiveness of clinical and/or management information systems in health care is considered. The course will examine the resources and methods required to apply these technologies to clinical guidelines, communication systems and to enhance health care delivery.
GPNS 917 Transcultural Care and Global Health Perspectives (3 cr)
This course explores the impact of globalization on health care and health care planning, and the need to design health care systems that are responsive to diverse cultural needs. The focus is on select global health problems assessed in a multidisciplinary manner to assure attention to the underserved and their complex cultural needs and requirements. Attention is directed at increasing the capacity of health care professionals to develop culturally sensitive health care systems.
GPNS 924 Introduction to Doctoral Study (1 cr)
An on-site orientation is coupled with guided learning in tools and approaches to foster success in doctoral education. Required first course in DNP program.
GPNS 925 Development of Capstone Proposal (1 cr)
Guided study to assist with the refinement of capstone proposal and establishment of practicum arrangements.
GPNS 926 Curriculum Design (2 cr)
The examination of curriculum models in nursing education will provide the framework for the analysis of approaches to organizing learning experiences into a total program of study. Attention will be directed at the processes used to create a curriculum which reflects professional priorities, societal trends, and institutional philosophies. The limited evidence base for curriculum will be explored, as well as approaches to program evaluation, including accreditation.
GPNS 927 Structure of Knowledge in Nursing Practice (3 cr)
This course introduces nurses in advanced practice to the development and application of knowledge in nursing. It emphasizes how knowledge is acquired, the theoretical underpinnings upon which nursing practice is based, and the application of knowledge to practice. Various forms of knowing as a component of nursing practice are explored. The development and use of theory in practice are brought together from the perspective of clinical nursing and other scientific disciplines as a foundation for effecting change in nursing and healthcare.
GPNS 928 Evidence Based Teaching (3 cr)
This course examines the state of knowledge of the relationship between the science of nursing education and student learning outcomes. Relevant research findings about teaching and learning will be explored to stimulate a scholarly orientation to developing learning activities and to studying existing nursing education practice and traditions. The goal of the course is to foster evidence based teaching approaches to improve the quality of nursing education.
GPNS 929 Program Analysis and Evaluation (3 cr)
This course will emphasize the analysis and evaluation of program outcomes within a variety of settings. . Emphasis will be placed the identification of appropriate evaluation instruments to the context of the organization. An overview of the process will include the use of models; selection of instruments; data collection procedures; cost effectiveness and ROI; and the means to interpret, report, and utilize findings. Results can be used to make decisions about improvement in organizational functioning.
GPNS 930 Theory of Complex Organizations (2 cr)
This course will address the major approaches in organization theory with application to clinical and academic environments. This exploration will focus on organizational structure, resource dependence, strategy, symbols, institutional theory, organizational culture, socialization, leadership and decision making.
GPNS 931 DNP Practicum I (3 cr)
Intensive practice experience in the student’s specialization/capstone project. Focus will be on evidence based practice and the application of research into practice. Particular attention will be directed at the analysis and evaluation of the transformation of the student’s practice. Exploration or refinement of the capstone project is an integral expectation of the course.
GPNS 932 DNP Practicum II (2-4 cr)
This course involves the continuation of the practice and capstone project begun in course DNP Practicum I. Focus will be on the completion of the capstone/scholarly project including plans for the dissemination of outcomes and future directions for the scholarly projects.
GPNS 934 Foundations for Research and Evidence Based Practice
Represents an early course in the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. This course provides an emphasis on a scholarly approach to problem solving based on translation and application of research evidence. The DNP student will have gained the knowledge to apply this approach to performance improvement activities that systematically address important practice problems for populations of patients, communities, and clinicians working in diverse high-performance teams.
Revisions to courses and curricula are ongoing.