School of Nursing

Human Health Building, Room 3027
433 Meadow Brook Road
Rochester, MI 48309-4452
(location map)
(248) 370-4253
nrsinfo@oakland.edu
M-F 8 a.m.-5 p.m. closed daily 12 p.m.-1 p.m.

Program handbook
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Program plan
Adviser Contact
 Emily Stepanian-Bennett
(248) 364-8782
fox2@oakland.edu
 
Doctor of Nursing Practice Coordinator
Deana Hays
3003 Human Health Building 
Phone: (248) 364-8765
hays@oakland.edu

Director of Graduate Programs 
 Meghan Harris
(248) 364-8762
harris23@oakland.edu

Doctor of Nursing Practice

DNP Overview

Featured DNP alum



Heidi Good (SON '14), earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, and is one of the co-authors of “The Prevalence of Uncontrolled Pain in Long-Term Care: A Pilot Study Examining Outcomes of Pain Management Processes,” which has been published in the February 2015 issue of the Journal of Gerontological Nursing.

Graduates who possess a DNP degree are prepared to assume clinical and leadership roles in both academic and practice settings. Knowledge acquisition in the DNP program includes:
  • the ability to analyze organizational and clinical systems
  • critique evidence to support clinical practice and improve patient outcomes
  • develop practice guidelines to enhance patient safety

The DNP graduate will:

  • Integrate the science and theory of nursing practice with scientific and theoretical knowledge from other disciplines to improve nursing practice and patient outcomes.
  • Integrate knowledge of effective communication and leadership skills based on professional standards to work as an effective member of an inter-professional team in the provision of safe, high quality, patient-centered care.
  • Demonstrate the appropriate and ethical use of information technology and research methods to improve practice and the practice environment.

The baccalaureate degree in nursing/master's degree in nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice at Oakland University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

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Why Choose
Oakland's DNP

Building on the foundation of the master’s program, the DNP program will prepare the student for the highest level of clinical nursing practice. The Doctor of Nursing Practice degree requires Registered Nurses who graduated with a clinical focus in their master’s programs to complete a minimum of 38 credits, depending on prior course/clinical work taken at the master’s level.

All DNP students satisfy a minimum of 1,000 supervised clock hours of practice experiences to demonstrate attainment of the doctoral level competencies. Students may receive credit for up to 640 clock hours from their master’s educational program; each applicant’s supervised clock hours of practicum experiences from their master’s programs are validated as part of the admission process.

DNP applicants without a clinical focus in their master’s program must complete the necessary coursework to obtain a post-master’s certificate in a clinical area and pass their respective certification exam, in addition to completing the 38 credits of DNP coursework.

Program highlights:
  • Curriculum emphasizes advocacy, clinical leadership, population health, patient care technologies and more
  • Graduates become a leader in clinical health care
  • Flexible Plan of Study: Full-time working nurses can complete the program by following a full-time or part-time plan of study
  • The health care policy experience includes a trip to Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. or Lansing, MI and other courses emphasize leadership, clinical prevention and translational research
  • Curriculum includes an elective to support the student’s area of interest
How to Apply
To be considered for graduate admission, applicants must submit all Graduate Application Requirements and any additional department requirements by the published application deadlines.
  1. Complete the online Graduate Application. Visit Graduate Admissions for more information on requirements.
  2. Submit written professional statement of 500 to 1,000 words. The professional statement should focus on the applicant's professional experiences as a nurse in the advanced practice role, how the DNP will enhance the applicant's professional development, and the applicant's career goals following the completion of the program.
  3. Submit the DNP Supplemental Application (validation of supervised clinical practice hours).
  4. Submit official transcript with master's degree posted.
  5. Copy of unrestricted license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the United States or its territories.
  6. Two recommendations: must be from professionals and must include at least one from a nursing colleague in advanced practice role familiar with the applicant.

Eligible candidates will be invited to participate in an individual interview before an official program admission is offered.

DNP applications are admitted for the fall semester only

  • February 15 (early)
  • April 15 (regular)
  • July 15 (late)
Handbooks

DNP Student Handbook

DNP Nurse Anesthesia Student Handbook

DNP Project Handbook

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