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EARN A DNP WITH FOUR CLINICAL SPECIALTY NP TRACKS OR A LEADERSHIP TRACK.

*Source:Nursejournal.org

The Lewis University Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program strives to develop nurse experts who will transform practice, reorient the healthcare system, and champion health equity using multi-level approaches. It accomplishes this by focusing on interprofessional collaboration and developing competencies in practice, leadership, quality improvement and safety that leads to enhanced outcomes.

Upon graduation, you’ll be able to:

• Integrate nursing science, ethics and the biophysical, psychosocial, analytic, and organizational sciences as the basis for advanced nursing practice to influence legal, political and organizational policy and support access to care, social justice, and the profession of nursing.
• Demonstrate advanced levels of clinical judgment, systems thinking, and accountability in the design, delivery, and evaluation of evidence-based care in complex decision making.
• Use analytical methods and information technology to improve population and system outcomes considering legal, financial, ethical, and regulatory issues.
• Analyze practice initiatives in order to develop effective interprofessional strategies to ensure and improve healthcare outcomes for patients and populations in relationship to safety and quality care.

FORMAT

The DNP coursework is offered online. Annual DNP immersion events and Health Assessment lab experiences occur at our Oak Brook campus. DNP Residency (clinical practicum) and DNP Scholarly Project Implementation courses are in person at the selected practice setting.

CUSTOMIZE YOUR CAREER

The DNP with a clinical focus is a growing market that outpaces other graduate programs. Trends show employer demands and employment projections as a fast-growing labor market for doctoral-level nursing practice professionals.

MULTIPLE ENTRY LEVELS

You can enter the DNP program with your BSN or MSN degree:

BSN to DNP is a streamlined program designed to accelerate your path to the DNP. You can earn your degree in 4.5 years. No more exiting and returning to get the education you want. You can go straight through without stopping. If you decide at some point to pursue the MSN instead, it’s easy to make that change. We meet you where you’re at in your educational and career goals.

MSN to DNP is designed for APNs working part or full time in a clinical role who would like to pursue doctoral education as they develop their clinical knowledge and experience. The DNP graduate will apply the knowledge gained in their coursework and clinical collaborations to develop new clinical practices, processes, and roles that will contribute to better health for all people.  

SPECIALIZATION OPTIONS BASED ON CAREER GOALS

BSN to DNP and MSN to DNP (available to BSN or MSN students)

• Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner â€“ Prepare to provide direct management of acutely ill patients in collaboration with physicians and other members of the healthcare team. Develop analytical skills in biostatistics and informatics, and an understanding of the epidemiology and nursing management in special populations.

• Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner â€“ Prepare to provide primary healthcare for adolescents and adults in a wide variety of settings, possessing advanced skills in patient education, health promotion, diagnostics, testing and disease prevention.  

• Family Nurse Practitioner â€“ Prepare to provide primary health care for infants, children, adolescents, adults and women in a wide variety of settings. Develop advanced skills in patient education, health promotion, diagnostics, testing and disease prevention.

• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner â€“ Specialize in the care of patients with psychiatric and mental health issues across the life span, including depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety, substance use disorders, and more. Learn how to conduct physical exams, order and interpret tests, psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, and counsel on preventative health care.

MSN to DNP (available for those with an NE or HSL specialty)

• Nursing Education â€“ Become a nurse educator within an academic, healthcare or community setting. Develop skills in curriculum design, instructional methodology, program evaluation and educational research. 

• Healthcare Systems Leadership - Lead the administration of nursing and patient care services, improving the delivery of healthcare and nursing at large. Develop skills in finance, economics, human resources and organizational management. 
  

SAMPLE COURSES

It is intended that students of the program will:

• Research Design and Measurement for Evidence-Based Practice
• Healthcare Ethics
• Healthcare Policy
• Quality and Safety Sciences in Healthcare
• Financial and Strategic Management for Healthcare Decision Makers
• DNP Scholarly Project Planning

STUDENT PROJECTS

Nursing and health professionals thinking about applying to the Doctor of Nursing Practice program should take a look at what current DNP students are working on. Curriculum insight gives prospective students the inspiration they need to advance their careers and education in the health industry.

ALUMNI NETWORK

You’ll benefit from networking with our nursing alumni. Our nursing alumni are highly respected and working in many specialties. Recent contributions highlighting their research can be found here.

TUITION ASSISTANCE

Not only does ȺpÎÞÂë offer a competitive cost of tuition, but various opportunities for discounts and scholarships are available for students and applicants who qualify.

• Graduate Assistantship - Graduate Assistants receive tuition and fee reimbursement in exchange for working for the College of Nursing and Health Sciences (CONHS). Priority for selection is based on academic achievement, potential for leadership, and financial need.
  
  
• Membership Discounts - Through partnership with the IONL, INAI and ISAPN, eligible students can earn a 15% tuition discount towards their degree. Students must submit the necessary membership discount form just once in order to receive the discount.
• Illinois Organization of Nurse Leaders
• Illinois Society of Advanced Proactive Nursing (ISAPN)
• Indian Nurses Association of Illinois (INAI)
  

• Frequent Flyer Scholarship - ȺpÎÞÂë alumni qualify for a 20% tuition scholarship when admitted into a graduate degree, doctoral degree, second bachelor degree, or qualifying certificate program. 
  
  
• JJC Employee Discount - Full and part-time employees of Joliet Junior College who enroll in for-credit courses at ȺpÎÞÂë are eligible for a 15% tuition discount. Students must verify employment each semester to receive the discount.
  
  
• Employer Tuition Discounts - ȺpÎÞÂë partners with various employers, including those in the private sector, not-for-profit organizations, schools, and government agencies to offer tuition discounts for employees. Employer Partner List.

Please refer to the Financial Aid Office for more information on types of aid and tuition assistance.

Admission and Application Requirements - Please refer to the Office of Graduate Admissions for application requirements and specific next steps.

VIEW THE PROGRAM CURRICULUM

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