Nursing Practice, D.N.P.

Gannon Tagher, Ed.D, RN, APRN, Interim Department Chair

Lynne Zajac, Ph.D., RN, Post-Master’s Specialization Program Director

William Terry Ray, Ph.D., MNSc, CRNA, Nurse Anesthesia Specialization Program Director

The doctoral program prepares the graduate to be a steward of the discipline. The doctoral education 1) starts from the student’s experience 2) develops through leadership activities that are experiential and transformational and 3) culminates in the graduate taking on the role of nursing expert to provide, direct, or manage care. Components of doctoral learning include opportunities for 1) formation of a deep understanding of the graduate’s place in the history and cultures of nursing, 2) development of practice focused scholarship 3) application and translation of research findings to improve nursing practice and health outcomes and 4) alignment with faculty in strong mentoring relationships. Doctoral education takes place in a nursing framework that intersects with the sciences, arts, technology, health policy and economics. This learning takes place in a scholarly community grounded in standards for rigor, the nursing imperative of caring and a plurality of voices.

The Nurse Anesthesia Program (NAP) is a specialization of the Doctor of Nursing Practice.  The program as designed, is a 36 month (106 credit hours) curriculum culminating in a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) nurse anesthesia specialization with a population focus of the family/individual across a lifespan.  Graduates will be eligible for the National Board of Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA) National Certification Exam (NCE) and to assume the role of an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). Accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) Approval.  

Purpose

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program builds upon the Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice (2006), as stated by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and the Accrediting Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and criteria for the clinical doctorate (2008). This is a practice focused doctoral program. Practice focused doctoral programs are designed to prepare nurses in advanced nursing practice. The focus of the DNP program is on evidence-based practice which reflects application of credible research findings. The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program includes integrative practice experiences and an intense practice immersion experience (AACN 2006).

Contact Information

Lynne Zajac, Ph.D., RN, DNP Post-Master’s Specialization Program Director, zajacl1@nku.edu or 859-572-5778

William Terry Ray, Ph.D., CRNA, NAP Specialization Program Director, rayw2@nku.edu or 859-572-7966

Admission Requirements: DNP Post-Master’s Specialization

To be considered for admission to the DNP Post-Master’s Specialization, an applicant must have:

1. A minimum of a master’s degree and hold at least one degree in nursing at or above the bachelor’s level from a nationally accredited school.
2. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and have successfully completed an undergraduate (or higher level) statistics course.
3. Verification of an unencumbered RN license in the United States or the country in which the student practices.
4. NKU application for graduate admission, found at http://apply.nku.edu.
5. Resume or Curriculum Vitae: educational background, employment history, awards and accomplishments.
6. All official transcripts. 
7. TOEFL scores as needed per international student admissions requirements.
8. Submission of a writing sample.
9. Employment verification.
10. Verification of RN licensure.

Admission Requirements: DNP - Nurse Anesthesia Specialization

1. Meets all NKU Graduate Admission Requirements.
2. Submission of completed online application prior to deadline.
3. Baccalaureate or higher degree in nursing from a fully accredited nursing program.
4. Unencumbered license as a Registered Nurse (licenses in KY and OH required prior to admission).
5. One year minimum full-time of critical care* experience as RN within the past 2 years with employer verification. 
6. GPA of 3.0 or higher on 4.0 scale on all college course work.
7. Science GPA 3.0 or higher on 4.0 scale.
8. Prerequisites:  Statistics; Anatomy; Physiology; Chemistry; Microbiology with a cumulative science GPA of 3.0 or greater.
9. Graduate level writing skills.
10. Three professional recommendations/references. 
11. Goal statement.
12. CCRN, ACLS, BLS certification required for application.  PALS required prior to admission.
13. Shadowing experience documentation with either a CRNA or anesthesiologist.
14. Review the Program Technical Standards.
15. Successful interview with Admissions Committee for selected applicants.
16. Non-refundable matriculation fee of $1,000 if accepted into the program.  Matriculation fee will be applied to student’s account on admission.  If applicant does not enroll in program, the matriculation fee is forfeited.
17. After acceptance, documentation of clinical requirements including immunizations, physical examination, background check, drug test and other documentation as needed.

*Critical care is defined by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) as: “Critical care experience must be obtained in a critical care area within the United States, its territories or a US military hospital outside of the United States. During this experience, the registered professional nurse has developed critical decision making and psychomotor skills, competency in patient assessment, and the ability to use and interpret advanced monitoring techniques. A critical care area is defined as one where, on a routine basis, the registered professional nurse manages one or more of the following: invasive hemodynamic monitors (e.g., pulmonary artery, central venous pressure, and arterial catheters), cardiac assist devices, mechanical ventilation, and vasoactive infusions. Examples of critical care units may include but are not limited to: surgical intensive care, cardiothoracic intensive care, coronary intensive care, medical intensive care, pediatric intensive care…..” (Standards for Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Programs, Practice Doctorate, 2016)

Application Process: DNP - Nurse Anesthesia Specialization

The application process has two parts. The first consists of the documents required to be submitted. The second part is the interview.  

Documents to be submitted:

The completed application file will contain the following documents. No application will be considered until all documents have been received.

1. NKU application for graduate admission, found at http://apply.nku.edu. 
2. Applications will be accepted from June 1 through August 15.  All materials must be submitted by August 15 deadline.
3. Three professional recommendations sent directly from recommender.  Suggested recommenders include: Nurse Manager; Professor; APRN, preferably CRNA; or MD.
4. Resume or Curriculum Vitae: educational background, employment history, awards and accomplishments.
5. All official transcripts of post-baccalaureate study.
6. Documentation of one year full-time critical care experience as a RN within the past 2 years.
7. Verification of CCRN, BLS, and ACLS certification.
8. Documentation of shadowing experience
9. TOEFL scores as needed per international student admissions requirements.
10. Submission of goal statement indicating graduate level writing skills.  Please include your educational and professional goals, limiting statement to one page.
11. Successful interview with Admissions Committee.  Due to the competitive nature of the admission process meeting minimum standards does not guarantee admission.  All applicants will be screened and the most qualified will be invited for interview.  Interviews will be held in October.
12. Non-refundable matriculation fee of $1,000 if accepted into the program.  Matriculation fee will be applied to student’s account on admission.  If applicant does not enroll in program, the matriculation fee is forfeited.

♦ Indicates prerequisite.