Doctor of Nursing Practice Program (DNP) Online

For more information about the doctor of nursing (DNP) curriculum, learning objectives, faculty, and opportunities for students, please visit their website.

School of Nursing Homepage: css.loyno.edu/nursing

Faculty & Staff

2013-2014 DNP Degree Progam Course Listing (DPCL)

Course Descriptions

General Information

The DNP program is comprised of two tracks: Post Masters to DNP tracks and post BSN to DNP.   The post masters to DNP has two concentrations which are Nurse Practitioner and  executive Leadership.  Students can choose one of these two plans of study depending on their career goals: Post masters to DNP for Nurse Practitioners with an emphasis in Integrated Behavioral Health; or, post masters to DNP to prepare you as an executive nurse leader. (Students who enter the Post Masters to DNP program as a Nurse Practitioner must select the concentration area for which they are already certified.) The post BSN to DNP track prepares BSN nurses to be family nurse practitioners with an emphasis on incorporating comprehensive behavioral health components. Graduates of the post BSN to DNP program are eligible to apply for certification as a family nurse practitioner.

Accreditation

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (2006-2016): School of Nursing Accredited by NLNAC (2007-2015). Doctor of Nursing Practice Program Accredited by CCNE (2011-2014).

Admission Requirements For The Post-Masters DNP Program

Admission into the DNP program is competitive. Students are admitted into the DNP program based on a review of all materials provided to the School of Nursing faculty. Students will be admitted unconditionally.

DNP Admission Criteria

Loyola University offers an online DNP program for Post-Masters students in two concentrations:

  1. Nurse Practitioner track: applicants must hold current license and certification as a nurse practitioner in one of the following areas and are admitted to the area of concentration that matches their certification: Adult, Family, Gerontology, Pediatrics, Women’s Health
  2. Executive Leadership track: applicants must have a master’s degree in nursing and have an interest in Executive Leadership.

Students are admitted as a cohort for this 39-46 credit program. The number of credits will be determined by transcript evaluation to provide credit for supervised practice hours taken at the master’s level. This program is online with students coming to campus for 1 week in late spring prior to summer classes each year and prior to graduation to defend their capstone project.

As a condition of the application process, all applicants must provide the following:

  1. A completed application to our D.N.P. program
  2. BSN or equivalent and master’s in nursing from a school accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
  3. Official transcripts from each degree-granting college or university attended.
  4. Copies of current, unencumbered RN license and advanced practice license (if applicable), in the state in which all clinical    practica for this program will occur.
  5. Cumulative GPA of 3.20 or higher on earned graduate degree course work.
  6. Minimum of one year’s recent post-master’s work experience.
  7. Three letters of recommendation from persons knowledgeable about the applicant’s aptitude for doctoral study, such as former professors.
  8. Copy of a current Basic Cardio Life Support (BCLS).
  9. Two page type-written, double-spaced essay must be submitted online when filling out an application, addressing three areas: 1) description of goals for doctoral study, 2) research translation area of interest for the capstone project, and 3) career goals.
  10. Formal interview with one or more Loyola School of Nursing faculty members may be required.
  11. Prior to admission or as a condition of progression, evidence of completion of a 3 credit hour graduate-level statistics course with an earned grade of C or better prior to NURS 920 Biostatistics.**
  12. Transcript evaluation will determine practice hours credited to master’s program.
  13. Certified Background Check: Sixty days prior to enrollment.
  14. Professional liability is required under Loyola’s group policy.

** Graduate-level statistics course must be taken prior to the Spring term of the first year.

A non-refundable deposit will be required when a student accepts an offer of admission to the DNP program. This deposit will be applied to the tuition bill after the final drop/add period in the second semester. The deposit will not be refunded for any reason should the student who accepts admission subsequently not enroll in the semester authorized for admission.

Admission Requirements For The Post-Baccalaureate DNP Program

Admission into the DNP program is competitive. Students are admitted into the DNP program based on a review of all materials provided to the School of Nursing faculty. Students will be admitted unconditionally.

Post-BSN to DNP Admission Criteria
Post-BSN DNP: Family Nurse Practitioner Track

  1. A completed application to our Post-BSN D.N.P. program
  2. BSN from a school accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
  3. Official transcripts from each degree-granting college or university attended.
  4. Proof of current, unencumbered RN license, in the state in which all clinical practice for this program will occur.
  5. Cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher on all course work.
  6. Minimum of one year’s recent nursing experience.
  7. Three letters of recommendation from persons knowledgeable about the applicant’s aptitude for doctoral study, such as former professors.
  8. Copy of a current Basic Cardio Life Support (BCLS).
  9. Two page type-written, double-spaced essay must be submitted online when filling out an application, addressing three areas: 10. description of goals for doctoral study, 2) research translation area of interest for the capstone project, and 3) career goals.
  10. Formal in-person or web-based interview with one or more Loyola School of Nursing faculty member(s). Applicants are required to have all necessary equipment in order to complete the web-based interview (i.e. webcams, speakers, and microphone if needed.)
  11. Certified Background Check: Sixty days prior to enrollment, you are required to apply for a certified background review, at your expense, by a provider designated (www.backgroundcheck.com) by Loyola University New Orleans (School Code: LO22) with the results reported to Loyola University New Orleans School of Nursing.
  12. Professional liability is required under Loyola’s group policy.

Transfer Credits

Students who have earned academic credit at another accredited college or university may be allowed to transfer up to six credits into the DNP program with a minimum grade of “B”. In all cases course work will be evaluated for equivalency to Loyola requirements; therefore, students must provide course descriptions and syllabus to assist faculty in the evaluation process. The maximum allowable transfer credit is six credit hours.

Registered Nurse Licensure, Certification and Background Check Requirements

Requirements for Admission & Continuing Students: Immunization, CPR, Malpractice and Criminal Background Check

Prior to beginning courses, students must provide immunization documentation, CPR certification, certificate of malpractice insurance and a background check, including a 10-panel urine drug screen to the Loyola School of Nursing. All data will be collected through a third party administrator. The student shall contact the school of nursing for administrator contact information and the Loyola code for the transaction.

Immunization Requirements

Documentation of immunization status is required in order to comply with Louisiana Revised Statute 17:170, which sets forth the requirements for immunization and health clearance for schools, including colleges. During a student’s clinical practicum, facilities may require additional health clearance, such as a physical exam and proof of current health insurance. Additional clearance concerns shall be addressed by the student, who will supply documentation pursuant to a particular facility policy. Documentation of immunization series or positive immune titer shall be required for the following:

  • Measles (2 doses)
  • Mumps
  • Rubella
  • Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis
  • Poliomyelitis
  • Influenza
  • Varicella (Chicken Pox)
  • Hepatitis B
  • Meningococcal (optional)

Measles, Mumps and Rubella immunity can be documented by:

  • Records of immunizations against measles, mumps, & rubella, varicella
  • Positive results of antibody titers

Protection against tetanus is demonstrated by documentation of a tetanus immunization within the previous 10 years (and must be updated every 10 years). Adults, especially health care workers, should receive at least one TDap vaccine.

Varicella immunity can be documented by:

  • Records of the immunization against Varicella
  • Positive results of a Varicella antibody titer

Hepatitis B immunity must be documented by records of three hepatitis B immunizations and a positive hepatitis antibody titer report. The recommended hepatitis B series is three shots, the second shot being given one month after the first, and the third shot being given six months after the first. The hepatitis B antibody titer should be drawn 1-5 months after the series is completed but may be drawn at any interval following the completion of the series. Positive titer results at any time are believed to infer lifelong immunity, even if later titers report negative results.

Students who do not have documented immunity to hepatitis B must have received the first two of three hepatitis immunizations in the first series in order to matriculate. The student must continue to provide documentation that the remaining immunizations are being received at the designated intervals in order to continue in clinical courses. If at the end of the series of three immunizations, the student’s titer does not demonstrate immunity to hepatitis B, the series and titer must be repeated. If the titer again does not show immunity, the student will be counseled about lack of immunity and asked to sign a statement acknowledging responsibility for practicing in health care without hepatitis B immunity. In some circumstances, students may be granted a waiver of the hepatitis B immunity requirement after the first series if they have been counseled about the health risks and have signed a statement of responsibility.

Tuberculosis –Tuberculosis – Students are required to provide evidence of one two-step tuberculosis (TB) test in their health history. Retesting with a one-step test or quantum gold blood test is required every year and documentation shall be provided to the School of Nursing annually. If medical circumstances preclude testing, or if chest X-ray is required, documentation of disease status and/or X-ray results must be submitted by a licensed healthcare provider.

Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification
Prior to matriculation into the School of Nursing, students must provide proof of successful completion of CPR for Health Care Providers. An educational transcript from an approved health care employer showing the date of prior CPR training is sufficient evidence of course completion. CPR certification must be renewed every two years and documentation of current certification must be provided bi-annually.

Professional Liability

Malpractice insurance is required for all nursing students upon admission. The insurance will be verified annually by a third party designated to conduct the background checks.

Background Checks

The School of Nursing requires a background check and a 10-panel urine drug screen for all nursing students. The background check includes criminal, residency, fraud and abuse, sexual offender and a three-year employment verification check. The Loyola School of Nursing employs a third party service to conduct the required background check and drug screen on all accepted students. Accepted students are required to complete the background check online process as defined in their acceptance letter. NOTE: If a student is required to drop their program of study due to the results of this background check and/or drug screen, all tuition and fee charges owed will be assessed as appropriate. Students will receive a copy of their criminal background information from this service. All costs associated with this service are the responsibility of the student. If the student’s enrollment is interrupted for any reason, a new background check must be completed.

DNP Program

Post – Masters DNP Program

The Post-masters DNP program is 39 semester credit hours in length. In addition to theoretical coursework, the program requires 600 hours of practice experience conducted in the practicum, and capstone courses beyond the master's level. The overall practice hours for the DNP are a minimum of 1000 hours of which a minimum of 600 hours are satisfied by the DNP curriculum. The remaining hours are validated in the master's curriculum by a transcripts analysis or certified letter describing the number of practicum hours earned from the accredited school awarding the masters degree. All new DNP students are required to attend a maximum of 5 day orientation on the campus of Loyola annually prior to the first semester of enrollment (May). All continuing students are required to attend a maximum of 5 days on campus session on Capstone projects at the conclusion of the first year of study and again to defend their Capstone project.

Post-Baccalaureate to DNP Track

The Post-Baccalaureate to DNP Track is a full time 79 semester credit hours in length. This coursework is taken over 3 years or 9 semesters. In addition to theoretical coursework, the program requires a minimum of 1000 hours or practice experience conducted in the practicum, and capstone courses. All new DNP students are required to attend a maximum of 5 days in orientation on the campus of Loyola annually prior to the first semester of enrollment (April). All continuing students are required to attend a maximum of 5 days on campus session each consecutive year. Students come to campus in the final semester to defend their capstone projects to the faculty. You may view the website for more specific dates. www.loyno.edu

The DNP requires:

  1. The overall practice hours f/or the DNP are a minimum of 1000 hours of which 540 hours are satisfied by the DNP curriculum. The remaining hours are validated from the masters curriculum by a transcripts analysis or a certified letter describing the number of practicum hours earned from the accredited school awarding the masters degree. Students admitted to the Post- Masters DNP Executive Leadership track will obtain a minimum of 540 hours of practice hours in the DNP program but may be required to take additional practicum courses based on transcript analysis to meet the 1000 hour requirement.
  2. Clinical experiences for DNP students will occur at health care organization sites in the state in which the nurse is licensed. The practice component is conducted with the assistance of preceptors who practice in the community where the student lives. Goals and objectives of the clinical experience are negotiated with the student’s faculty committee and advisor. Oversight of the practice experience is the responsibility of the faculty.

The Post-BSN DNP Practicum

  1. The post-BSN to DNP track of the DNP program requires completion of 1140 hours of practice experience. The initial 540 hours are completed in three Primary Care Practicum courses, in which the student provides assessment, evaluation, diagnosis, and management of a variety of patients with primary care health-related problems, across the lifespan. The final 540 clinical hours are completed in the DNP advanced practicum courses, the integrated behavioral health practicum, and the DNP capstone project.
  2. The clinical hours for post-BSN to DNP students in each of the three primary care practicum courses must be completed in a faculty approved primary care site. Typically these sites are outpatient clinics, community health centers, or medical practices. Students may complete these hours in a practice site that is closer to their geographical residence. The student is required to identify a qualified primary care NP or an MD in primary care or/family practice to serve as a preceptor for each clinical practicum. It is understood that the student will not be seeing patients alone but under the direct supervision of their approved preceptor. The approval of clinical site, individual preceptor and oversight of the entire practicum experience is the responsibility of the NP faculty. There are policies and procedures in place to accomplish this process.
  3. The final 600 clinical hours, which are completed during the DNP Advanced Practicum, Integrated Behavioral Health, and DNP capstone courses follow the same guidelines and procedures discussed earlier in section of the “DNP Clinical Practicum.”

Capstone Project Course and Other Program Requirements

The DNP degree is focused on translating the scientific research generated by the Ph.D. to health care in a timely manner so that patients experience the best applications of science and practice. The DNP degree includes an integrated practicum or practice immersion experiences that generate a final scholarly project as a vital part of the experience. A completed scholarly practice portfolio provides evidence of student achievement of the Essentials and will result in at least one publishable scholarly paper to disseminate the results. The development, implementation and evaluation of this project will occur over three semesters throughout the practicum courses and culminates in the capstone course during the final semester. Each student will defend their DNP Capstone Project proposal in an open forum to an inter-professional committee of at least two members.

Practice Affiliation Agreement

Affiliation Agreements between the University and a clinical agency are required before a student commences the practicum. These are to be completed before the semester of the practicum and the student must verify with the faculty of record that all requirements noted in the affiliation are met prior to the practicum, i.e. immunizations, etc.

Human Subjects Review

Capstone projects are to be subjected to University Human Subject Review(HSR) process. The organization in which Capstone is performed may also require an HSR at the organization prior to execution.

Student Progression

Students must maintain a cumulative of 3.0 GPA and may not earn a grade below a B (83) in any course to progress in the curriculum. Only DNP courses are calculated for the GPA.

Length of Time to Complete the Program

Students are required to complete the program within five years of their first term of enrollment.