Doctor of Nursing Practice (MSN to DNP)

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

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• Admission Criteria: Post-Master’s DNP Program

  1. Masters degree in nursing with role preparation in Advanced Nursing Practice from an institution of higher education that is fully accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting agency and either NLNAC (National League for Nursing Accreditation) or CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education).
  2. Current unencumbered licensure as a registered nurse in the state where practice project will be conducted.
  3. Evidence of capacity for graduate study. A blended cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.25 on a 4.0 scale for all graduate course work.
  4. Ability to articulate one’s professional goals and express one’s self clearly as evidenced by the admission essay. Congruence of the applicant’s goals with the objectives and resources of the Otterbein University Nursing Department.
  5. MSN with advanced practice role: One year full-time, or part-time equivalent, nursing work experience within the last five years. 
  6. Resume with all professional experiences documented. 
  7. Three recommendations from individuals who can support the applicant’s potential for functioning in the DNP role. 
  8. Evidence of national certification as an APN preferred.
  9. Graduate level nursing research course.

• Application Process

  1. Apply online or complete a paper DNP Application (PDF). Application deadlines are here.
  2. Request that official transcripts from all previous colleges or universities attended to be sent to the Graduate School. (All schools, regardless of number of courses taken.)
  3. Submit three recommendation forms (PDF) from individuals who can support the applicant’s potential for functioning in the DNP role. At least one should be from a nursing professor. (A recommendation from a current Otterbein graduate student will not be considered). Otterbein University reserves the right to contact persons providing recommendations and to acknowledge receipt of recommendations.
  4. Submit a resume with all professional experience documented.
  5. Submit a 3-4 page typewritten essay. The essay should:
     - summarize professional background
     - discuss professional goals and how these goals can be achieved in the DNP Program
     - describe past experiences and reflections that have influenced these goals
     - describe personal contributions that can be made to the nursing program and wider community. This essay should be carefully prepared and edited since it is considered an important component of the admission application. 
  6. Provide a current RN license number. Attach a copy of the national specialty certificate. The Graduate School will verify current RN licensure and a copy of the license and COA verification will be added to the student file. 
  7. Select candidates will be invited to an interview with nursing faculty.
     
     * All admission materials including transcripts must be submitted to:
     Otterbein University
     The Graduate School
     1 South Grove Street
     Westerville, OH 43081

  Full admission to the Graduate School is required before students take any graduate courses. Applicants must submit transcripts showing completion of a Master’s degree in Nursing for the Post-Master’s DNP from an institution of higher education that is fully accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting agency, and a NLNAC and/or CCNE accredited program in nursing; DNP Application for Admission form; and a current unencumbered RN license number.  Admissions decisions are made once per year. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all materials have been submitted by the deadline of October 15.

  The completed application materials are reviewed by the Nursing Admission Review Committee to determine whether the applicant is accepted into the program. Questions regarding the application process or admission status should be directed to the Graduate School at 614.823.3210.

• Curriculum Objectives

  Upon completion of the DNP Program, the graduate will:

  1. Integrate nursing science with knowledge from the natural and social sciences as a basis for the highest level of nursing practice.
  2. Provide organizational and systems leadership in advanced nursing practice roles to improve patient and health care outcomes, through advocacy and implementation of management and quality improvement strategies.
  3. Provide leadership for evidence-based practice, through translation of research for practice, dissemination of research findings, application of research findings, implementation of quality improvement methodologies, evaluation of practice outcomes, and participation in collaboration research.
  4. Demonstrate proficiency in the utilization and evaluation of information systems/technology resources for knowledge application, management of individual and aggregate data, and quality improvement.
  5. Provide leadership in the analysis, development, implementation and evaluation of healthcare policies, congruent with advocacy for social justice, equity and ethics in global health care.
  6. Employ effective communication, collaboration and leadership skills with individuals, groups and teams to facilitate problem solving and team functioning for improvement in health care and health care delivery.
  7. Analyze epidemiological, bio-statistical, environmental and other appropriate data for developing, implementing and evaluating clinical prevention and population health interventions.
  8. Demonstrate advanced levels of clinical judgment in designing, implementing and evaluating therapeutic interventions to improve patient and/or health care outcomes.
  9. Analyze the legal, ethical, economic, and professional functions of the APN.
  10. Integrate caring behaviors and patterns including cultural competence and attention to underserved regional and global individuals and groups into ANP roles.

• Sample Course Grid

  DNP Sample Course Grid (PDF)

• DNP FAQs

  Q. How long is the program?
  A. Six semesters as a post master’s DNP student taking 2 courses a semester and completing in 2 years.

  Q. What are the course formats?
  A. Courses are online with 1-2 face to face meetings per semester.

  Q. Will I get credit for any of my master's clinical hours?
  A. Otterbein has adopted the recommendations from the ACCN on clinical hours. Students should complete 1000 preceptor-supervised clinical hours post-baccalaureate. If the Post-Master’s student has completed national certification as an Advanced Practice Nurse, some of these hours will be credited. Other students may be asked to submit a portfolio to help plan an individualized education experience in order to include the appropriate number of clinical hours.

  Q. Can I get transfer credit for any of my other graduate work?
  A. Limited transfer credit may be available.

  Q. Are there any courses I need to take prior to the program?
  A. Post master’s students should have completed a graduate level research course.

  Q. Am I required to have prescriptive authority? Or can I apply for this after in the program?
  A. No, prescriptive authority is not required. Prescriptive authority is subject to the rules for Advanced Practice Nurses in Ohio.

  Q. Can I hold a RN in license in a state other than Ohio?
  A. Yes, you should hold an active unencumbered RN license in the state where you will conduct your practice project.

  Q. Does my work experience need to have been in a clinical environment in the last 5 years?
  A. Since this is a practice focused doctoral program, recent clinical experience will be helpful.

  Q. What if I have been most recently working in administration?
  A. We do not offer an executive DNP track.

  Q. When is the admission deadline?
  A. October 15th and the program begins the following summer.

  Q. How should I prepare for the admission interview?
  A. The faculty will be interested in your career goals, your planned academic trajectory, and your ideas for your clinical capstone project, and any concerns you may have. This will help them to aid you in developing an individualized education course of study.

  Q. How many are admitted to each class?
  A. A limited number will be admitted to each class.

  Q. What are some examples of the final project?
  A. Please visit the list of sample DNP projects on the ACCN website at www.aacn.nche.edu. 

  Q.How much time does a final project generally require?
  A. It is of course dependent on the project selected. It is reasonable to expect the project to be completed within the two years of study.

  Q. Can I work during this program?
  A. Classes are scheduled to be convenient for the working student.

  Q. How many hours should I plan to dedicate to my studies per week?
  A. Students will take approximately six credits per quarter, with a recommendation of 3-4hours per credit hour of outside class study time.

  Q. What kind of jobs does this prepare me for?
  A. The DNP is an expert clinician educated for transformation leadership and project development.

  Q. What can I expect as increase in salary with a DNP?
  A. Salary is determined by individual employers. Average national salary figures are available at the ACCN website at www.aacn.nche.edu.

  Q. If I need to drop out for any reason, how long do I have to complete the program?
  A. Students must complete the program within six years.

  Q. Are you offering a BSN to DNP program?
  A. Not at this time, we plan to offer this program in the future.

  Q. What is the cost for the program?

  A. See the cost grid on the Tuition and Financial Aid page.