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- School of Nursing
- Buckley Center 315, MSC 153
- 5000 N Willamette Blvd.
- Portland OR 97203
- 503-943-7211 or 800-227-4568
- fax: 503-943-7729
- nursing@up.edu
School of Nursing: Doctorate of Nursing Practice Frequently Asked Questions
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program prepares graduates for the highest level of clinical nursing practice. The members of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) led a move from master’s degree education to the doctorate level as the preparation required for practice in our complex health care environment. Doctoral preparation is consistent with other health professions like Physical Therapy (DPT), Pharmacy (PharmD), Psychology (PsyD), Medicine (MD) and Dentistry (DDS). A DNP is a clinical or professional doctorate comparable to other intraprofessional education programs.
DNP programs incorporate the Advanced Practice content currently included in master’s programs, and focus on providing leadership for evidence-based practice. This requires competence in applying research in practice and decision-making, and implementing clinical innovations to change practice. The PhD and DNS/DNSc programs are research intensive curriculums that prepare scholars to generate new knowledge.
Our program has multiple entry points. Baccalaureate-prepared nurses can enter and complete an 82-credit hour program in four years of part-time study. Master’s prepared nurses can enter and complete an individualized plan of study that results from the evaluation of prior learning in education and practice.
The DNP does not prepare educators any more than the PhD prepares educators. Graduates from all doctoral programs who pursue a role as an educator should have additional preparation in pedagogical skills.
Students who enter the BSN to DNP program will be prepared to practice as a Family Nurse Practitioners. Master’s prepared nurse practitioners who enter the program will retain their specialization (e.g. pediatrics, women’s health, adult) and graduate with a Doctorate of Nursing Practice.
Four features make the University of Portland program unique: (1) teachings are grounded in the values of truth, social justice, integrity, and care of vulnerable populations, (2) a firm foundation in the fundamental roots of nursing, and (3) a philosophy of integrative health combined with allopathic care, and (4) an elective focus on caring for the poor. Integrative health care refocuses care on health and healing. It insists patients be treated as whole persons-body, mind and sprit who participate actively in their own healthcare. We emphasize relationship-based care with communication and trust being integral elements of the relationship.
No. Nurses with master’s degrees will continue their current practice. To be accredited, schools of nursing must prepare advanced practice graduates at the doctorate level by the year 2015.
No. DNP programs will not alter the current scope of practice for advanced practice nurses. The transition to DNP programs will better prepare nurses for their current roles in a growingly complex health care system.
The DNP prepares graduates for the future and tomorrow’s practice. To significantly impact health care outcomes, advanced practice nurses need clinical, organizational, political, and leadership skills acquired in a DNP program. Additional competencies will equip nurse practitioners to mentor and precept the next generation of nurse practitioners with greater currency and relevance. Others will seek the degree for the intrinsic joy of learning.
The CNL and DNP initiatives both originated within the American Association of Colleges of Nurses and have some common competencies. A CNL oversees the care coordination of a distinct group of patients and actively provides direct patient care in complex situations. A CNL functions in an interdisciplinary team while working to improve nurse-sensitive outcomes. A nurse prepared with a DNP provides primary care to individuals and families in a variety of settings. Many of the competencies that describe the DNP graduate find their foundation in CNL learning.
The program is part-time and designed for nurses who continue to practice throughout their education. Courses are planned so students are able to consistently plan their work schedule with their employers. We conduct in-person immersion weekend sessions and incorporate web-based learning modalities into each course. We typically schedule 3 or 4 immersion weekends each semester and students are notified of the on-campus dates and times at least one full semester prior to the beginning of their courses. The weekend immersions include a variety of productive, stimulating learning activities that are best accomplished in face-to-face gatherings and provide opportunities to become fully involved in dynamic, meaningful coursework while connecting with colleagues and faculty within a learning community.
The next cohort of DNP students will begin in summer (May) 2010. Applications are currently available. A priority application deadline of February 15, 2010 was set to ensure timely and efficient processing. However, all complete applications received after the priority deadline will be reviewed as long as there is space available in the program. To request an application packet, contact the Graduate School or the School of Nursing. A request for an application can also be mailed to: University of Portland , School of Nursing 5000 N. Willamette Blvd , Portland , Oregon 97203 Graduate School
We aim to admit a cohort of 8-10 students in summer 2010. We anticipate that competitive applicants will have minimum GRE scores of 550 on verbal and 4.0 on analytical writing OR our minimum MAT score of 50 or higher. Additionally, a GPA of 3.0 or above, impressive recommendations (preferably from practicing nurses), a skillfully written essay and successful completion of an interview will be required for admission.
The University of Portland
Yes, federal financial aid is available but scholarships for graduate students are limited. The primary source of financial aid for graduate students is federal student loans (Stafford and Graduate PLUS), which can help cover educational expenses such as tuition, fees, books, and living expenses. If a student is admitted to a cohort model graduate program like the DNP program and registered for at least 5 graduate credits per semester, then they can qualify for federal student loans. We encourage you to seek financial aid options early in your application process so you will be ready to accept if offered a seat in the program. Click
here
to view a flyer with general information about financial aid for graduate nursing students
and here for a list of financial aid opportunities that was compiled by the School of Nursing. We also encourage you to navigate the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s financial aid webpageand to do your own web searches for scholarship opportunities.
Click
here
for a helpful website with loan repayment and financial aid calculators and
here
for a list of financial aid information resources available on the Office of Financial Aid website. For more information on the application process visit the Office of Financial Aid website or contact the Office of Financial Aid directly at (503) 943-7311 or (800) 227-4568 or via e-mail at finaid@up.edu.
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- nursing@up.edu
- 503-943-7211 or 800-227-4568
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