DNP Program Student Learning Outcomes

Based on The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice (2006) by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing

  1. Evaluate new practice approaches based on scientific knowledge and theories from nursing and other disciplines.
  2. Adapt organizational and systems leadership for quality improvement and systems thinking.
  3. Demonstrate clinical scholarship and analytical methods for evidence-based practice.
  4. Analyze critical elements necessary to the selection, use and evaluation of health care information systems and patient care technology.
  5. Influence health care policy at institutional, state and/or federal levels.
  6. Lead interprofessional teams in the analysis of complex practice and organizational issues.
  7. Analyze epidemiological, biostatistical, environmental, and other appropriate scientific data related to individual, aggregate, and population health.
  8. Demonstrate advanced levels of clinical judgment, systems thinking, and accountability in designing, delivering, and evaluating evidence-based care to improve patient outcomes

Based on The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education (2021) by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing

  1. Synthesize knowledge from arts, humanities, and other sciences to inform and guide the practice of nursing for specific populations through clinical judgment and innovation at an advanced level within the scope of practice.
  2. Implement well-designed, evidenced-based, holistic, and person-centered plans of care at an advanced level within the scope of practice that promotes self-care management for specific populations and spheres of care.
  3. Evaluate the process of collaborating at an advanced level within the scope of practice with interprofessional teams and community stakeholders to influence health policy at institutional, local, state, and/or federal levels and to address social determinants of health and health disparities for specific populations along the healthcare continuum.
  4. Conduct ethical scholarly activities at an advanced level within the scope of practice for specific populations using sound analytic, translational, and dissemination methods.
  5. Demonstrate organizational and systems leadership at an advanced level within the scope of practice for quality improvement, patient safety, and a work environment that functions optimally to promote best practice for specific populations.
  6. At an advanced level within the scope of practice lead interprofessional teams through effective collaboration at the systems level with care team members, patients, families, communities, and all relevant stakeholders to improve the healthcare experience and processes and outcomes of care for specific populations and spheres of care.
  7. Within complex systems, proactively coordinate interventions for specific populations among multidisciplinary services across a continuum of care to achieve quality care at an advanced level within the scope of practice that is fiscally sound, equitable, and respectful of diversity.
  8. Analyze critical elements necessary in the selection, use, and evaluation of current and emerging patient care technology and healthcare information systems at an advanced level within the scope of practice for specific populations.
  9. Demonstrate professional behaviors within the scope of practice of advanced clinical or administrative practitioners for specific populations that reflect nursing’s characteristics and ethical values.
  10. At an advanced level within the scope of practice for specific populations create evidence-based systems to support leadership development, peer mentorship, personal wellness, resilience, and lifelong learning.