Graduate Programs
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program
Overview School of Nursing Fact Sheet
The online Doctor of Nursing Practice degree enables the graduates to transform the health care delivery system and design new systems to improve the context in which health care is offered. Nurses prepared at the DNP level will function from a strong evidence based foundation, effectively assessing health care policy, organizational effectiveness, and economic trends in health care to design new models for patient care services. The practice doctorate is designed for nurses seeking a terminal degree in nursing practice, and offers an alternative to research focused doctoral programs.
The Synergy Model
A cutting edge conceptual framework
The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Synergy Model for patient care strengthens the competencies nurses need to provide sage passage for patients and their families through the health care environment. the Duquesne University School of Nursing is one of the first to integrate this conceptual framework into undergraduate and graduate course work.
DNP Program Outcomes
The graduate of the DNP program will:
- Demonstrate effective clinical judgment through the synthesis and interpretation of multiple data sources, and the efficient use of multidisciplinary collaborative approaches (Clinical Judgment).
- Function as a moral advocate for patients, families and communities advancing their empowerment in complex situations (Moral Advocacy).
- Role model astute awareness of patient and family needs, anticipating their changing requirements and ensuring patient comfort and safety in all care planning (Caring Practices).
- Actively seek opportunities to teach, mentor and facilitate the professional development of colleagues (Facilitates Learning).
- Develops, integrates and fosters strategies to address issues within the system to enhance patient care services, and outcomes (Collaboration).
- Integrate system wide responses to health care diversity requirements among patients, and the staff (Systems Thinking).
- Creatively develop educational programs for the system to address patient needs, staff development and student achievement (Facilitates Learning).
- Foster the exploration of new knowledge to address issues in the delivery of health care, especially nursing care (Clinical Inquiry).
- Advocate culturally competent environments and systems of care (Response to Diversity).
- Sponsor and role model ethical decision making in all aspects of practice with self, patient/family, community, and health care delivery systems (Moral Advocacy).
