The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at Kentucky State University in the School of Nursing is a 72-credit hour (9 semester) program. The BSN-DNP online program places emphasis in the care of the adult gerontology population. Courses are completed online, and clinical/residency hours are to be completed in the student’s region with an approved preceptor/mentor. Course contents are based on the DNP Essentials. The DNP curriculum is a program designed to prepare the RN with a BSN degree to function in the role of an advanced practice nurse caring for patient ages 13 and beyond (Adult-Gerontology) within a variety of primary care settings. To satisfy the requirements for graduation, the student must complete 72 semester credit hours of coursework and 1080 hours in the clinical setting with qualified preceptors. The student must maintain a GPA of 3.00 or above. The DNP curriculum is congruent with established standards for clinical doctorate programs, it includes appropriate advanced nursing practice competencies, role specific professional standards and guidelines, and certification requirements. In addition, it has clearly articulated student learning outcomes and program outcomes consistent with contemporary practice.

The advanced practice nursing curriculum emphasizes competence, accountability, and legal, ethical standards in the practice of the profession, and evidence-based practice. The curriculum includes cultural, ethnic, and socially diverse concepts and includes knowledge from regional, national, or global perspectives. Graduates of the DNP program will be able to demonstrate the following competencies, which are aligned with the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing Standards for the Clinical Doctorate including:

• Scientific Foundation competencies
• Leadership competencies
• Quality competencies
• Practice Inquiry competencies
• Policy competencies
• Health Delivery System competencies
• Ethics competencies
• Independent Practice competencies

Terminal Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the BSN-DNP program will demonstrate leadership skills and knowledge in advanced nursing care and clinical outcomes to ensure patient safety. Specifically, End of Program [i.e., terminal] Student Learning Outcomes to be demonstrated by graduates of this program are as follows:

1. Utilize epidemiologic, scientific findings from nursing and other clinical disciplines, as well as organizational, political, and economic sciences, to develop practice initiatives that will improve the quality of care delivery.
2. Assume organizational and system leadership in the analysis, delivery, and management of nursing care.
3. Provide organizational and systems leadership to develop care delivery models that are fiscally responsible and demonstrate sensitivity to diverse organizational cultures.
4. Engage in clinical scholarship to evaluate the effectiveness of evidence-based efforts in the planning and practice of health care program delivery to individuals and communities.
5. Utilize theories, concepts, and analytic methodologies to design, implement, and evaluate practice by applying evidence to transform nursing system.
6. Collaborate with healthcare professionals, consumers, and other stakeholders to influence health policy and health promotion/disease prevention endeavors at the local, state, federal, and/or international levels that improve patient and population health outcomes.
7. Implement the highest level of advanced nursing care to produce high quality, cost-effective outcomes for diverse patient populations.
8. Contribute to the knowledge of best practices nursing interventions and the dissemination of outcomes through professional writing and presentations.
9. Develop practice standards based on the integration of ethics and evidence-based nursing care.

Admission Criteria

• Earned baccalaureate degree in nursing (BSN) from a program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• GPA 3.00 or above on a 4.00 scale
• Candidates without 3.00 GPA MUST have 2 years of successful nursing experience (Minimum acceptable GPA is 2.80 to meet this criteria)
• Candidates without 3.00 GPA MUST have outstanding references and maintain a 3.00 GPA in the first semester of nursing graduate studies to remain in the program
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Unencumbered, active registered nurse (RN) license in any state where licensed
• Strongly Recommend Graduate Research and Statistics Courses
• Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions
• Three letters of recommendation pertaining to academic ability, professional competency, nursing leadership potential and personal character
• Personal statement/philosophy

Exams such as GRE, MAT are not required.

To apply for the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Doctor of Nursing Practice Program go to www.nursingCAS.org and select Kentucky State University. NursingCAS is a service that allows applicants to use a single online application and one set of materials to apply to multiple programs at participating schools.

Transfer Student

A graduate nursing student from a nationally accredited program and regionally accredited institution who is applying for graduate nursing admission at Kentucky State University School of Nursing and intending or seeking to transfer graduate credits from the other accredited institution must submit all graduate application forms through NursingCAS and fulfill all graduate nursing admissions requirements. The policies regarding “Transfer Credits” apply.

Re-Admission

After any interruption of studies at Kentucky State University, a DNP student may be required to apply for readmission to the program. Students, who have an interruption in the course sequence, will be considered on a space-available basis and must meet the current academic qualifications for readmission. Students have 7 years to complete the DNP program from the initial start date in the program.

Additional Information

Criminal Background Check

Kentucky Board of Nursing (KBN) requires all misdemeanor and felony convictions occurring in Kentucky or any other states as well as federal and military convictions be reported to the KBN. Conviction of certain felonies will cause a “Notice to Deny Licensure” to be issued to applicants seeking to write the nursing licensure examination in accordance with this policy. The School of Nursing requires that each student submit a criminal background check to the School of Nursing prior to admission to the program.

CastleBranch

Upon admission to the program the student must complete the requirements as set forth by the School of Nursing for the BSN-DNP Program in CastleBranch [e.g., background check, drug screening, license verification, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), immunizations including the influenza vaccine, TB skin test, health insurance, health physical, HIPPA, Graduate Nursing Handbook Attestation, etc.]. All requirements must be current throughout the duration of enrollment in the BSN-DNP Program. CPR training must be from an approved American Heart Association curriculum. All students who are accepted in the BSN-DNP program are admitted pending submission of the CastleBranch requirements. Admission will be withdrawn for students who do not comply with CastleBranch requirements.

CastleBranch’s mission is to empower the School of Nursing and Graduate Nursing Program to make safe and informed decisions through fully customizable screening and clinical experience solutions. Requirements for CastleBranch must be completed upon admission to the BSN-DNP Program. CastleBranch can be reached at https://discover.castlebranch.com/, https://www.castlebranch.com/online_submission/package_code.php, customerservice@castlebranch.com or (888) 723-4263

Typhon

Before entering the clinical or residency setting, students and preceptors must be credentialed in Typhon. Typhon credentialing should be completed upon enrollment in clinical and residency courses by the course faculty. All Typhon requirements must be current throughout the duration of enrollment in clinical and residency courses in the BSN-DNP Program.

Typhon is a robust student tracking system that focuses on education, not paperwork. Typhon is instrumental in assisting the clinical faculty and the Scholarly Project Chair in tracking student clinical and residency hours and activities, SOAP Notes, evaluations, etc. Typhon can be reached at http://www.typhongroup.com/npst.html or 800-333-7984.

Additional Information Regarding Clinical and Residency

Faculty and students see the Clinical Policies and Appendix D (the Preceptor Orientation Manual, Clinical Practicum Guidelines, and Scholarly Project Guidelines) in the Graduate Nursing Handbook (https://www.kysu.edu/academics/college-acs/school-of-nursing/school-of-nursing-dnp/index.php).

Expenses

Graduate nursing students pay the same general fees and tuition as do other students at the University. However, students in the Graduate Nursing Program may incur additional expenses for lab jackets, name badge, nursing emblem, stethoscope, bandage scissors, wristwatch with secondhand, otoscope, ophthalmoscope, tuning fork, hammer, travel fees, multiple criminal background checks if indicated, CastleBranch requirements, formative/summative testing program, etc.

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Doctor of Nursing Practice Plan of Study

Electives Offered