The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree is a clinical practice doctorate in an advanced specialty of nursing practice. In addition to the Elms College DNP terminal program outcomes outlined below, the DNP nurse practitioner graduate will be able to qualify to sit for national certification and state licensure in their specialty (FNP, AGACNP). The DNP Health Systems Innovation and Leadership graduate will be eligible to sit for the American Organization of Nurse Executives certifying exam.

In accordance with The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice (October, 2006), the DNP graduate will:

  • Demonstrate expertise in an area of specialized advanced nursing practice that is culturally sensitive and evidence-based in the care of individuals and populations.
  • Integrate the biosciences and theory from nursing and related disciplines, education, research, business, and technology into advanced nursing practice.
  • Translate research into practice through critiquing current evidence and evaluation of outcomes that contribute to the enhancement, improvement and development of best practices for favorable patient outcomes.
  • Develop the leadership and organizational expertise to effectively identify the policies and procedures necessary to meet the dynamic state of healthcare delivery.
  • Promote change in nursing practice and healthcare delivery through inter-professional collaboration, policy development and information technology utilization within an area of specialized advanced nursing practice.
  • Evaluate patient, population, and healthcare system outcomes and design appropriate intervention strategies in a specialized area of advanced nursing practice to achieve quality improvement and improve the health of individuals, aggregates, and populations.

Source​s

American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2006). AACN position statement on the practice doctorate in nursing. Washington, DC: Author.