Nursing, Adult-Gerontology-Clinical Nurse Specialist - Doctor of Nursing Practice
Specialist (Code 700-834)
For post-baccalaureate DNP (BSN-to-DNP) students interested in the adult-gerontologic clinical nurse specialist (CNS) option. Please see the Nursing Graduate Programs Director and college website regarding the availability of this offering. The curriculum for the CNS option is undergoing revisions and therefore will likely differ from the plan listed below, if offered.
Program Requirements
UW-Eau Claire offers Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree options for individuals pursuing education in advanced practice nursing. The DNP is a clinical doctorate designed to prepare nurses to assume leadership roles in the areas of advanced clinical practice nursing (nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist) or nursing administration/nurse executive. Both MSN-to-DNP and BSN-to-DNP options are offered.
The post-master's (MSN-to-DNP) option includes an advanced clinical practice option (for nurse practitioners or clinical nurse specialists) or a nurse executive option. The MSN-to-DNP option typically is a part-time two-and-a-half-year program that includes 31 credits of nursing courses. The plan requires students to take courses during Summer, Fall, Winterim, and Spring terms.
The post-baccalaureate (BSN-to-DNP) option includes an adult-gerontologic or family nursing population focus and a primary care nurse practitioner (NP), clinical nurse specialist, or nurse administrator/nurse executive role preparation. Students choose from the following BSN-to-DNP options:
- Adult-gerontologic primary care nurse practitioner
- Adult-gerontologic clinical nurse specialist
- Family nurse practitioner
- Nurse administrator/nurse executive (adult-gerontologic or family population focus)
The post-baccalaureate DNP program includes approximately 68 credits for administration/nurse executive students and approximately 74 credits for advanced clinical practice students (nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist). The courses are taken over three academic years for full-time students and four to five years for part-time students. Please consult the Nursing Graduate Programs Director regarding the availability and scheduling of the clinical nurse specialist option.
Program costs are higher than typical University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire graduate programs and thus the DNP courses involve additional course fees. Graduate students must earn a grade of C or above in courses and practica to successfully progress. No more than 2 C’s may be earned in the graduate program. Further and current information may be obtained from the Nursing Graduate Programs Director, College of Nursing and Health Sciences and the College website.
Criteria for admission into the DNP Post-Baccalaureate Program include (also see notes):
1. Acceptance as a graduate student in good standing in the university.
2. An undergraduate degree in nursing from a nationally accredited nursing program, with a GPA of 3.00 or higher.
3. Evidence of course work in statistics (grade of C or better) at the undergraduate level.
4. Wisconsin Registered Nurse licensure. Current nursing licensure in one of the jurisdictions of the United States required at time of application.
5. Satisfactory evidence of personal qualifications and capacity for doctoral study in nursing.
6. Competence in health assessment.
7. Completed and submitted all application materials including but not limited to a DNP Demographic Form, essay, resume, university application, official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions attended, three references (forms provided) from individuals who are knowledgeable of the applicant’s clinical expertise and/or potential for graduate study, and all application fees (nonrefundable).
8. Completed health record, background check, and evidence of current CPR certification and other related requirements (needed by July 1st following admission).
NOTE 1: Examples of national accreditation for nursing programs include CCNE, NLN, and ACEN.
NOTE 2: WI RN licensure needed by July 1st following admission.
NOTE 3: Previous nursing practice experience is recommended.
NOTE 4: A graduate special student may not take more than two nursing courses or six credits in nursing before being admitted to the graduate program.
NOTE 5: Priority admission application deadline is January 4, unless otherwise specified.
NOTE 6: Must complete and be current with health requirements, CPR certification, WI RN licensure, and background checks in order to be enrolled in courses.
Nursing, Adult-Gerontologic-Clinical Nurse Specialist Curriculum
Post-baccalaureate DNP (BSN-to-DNP) students interested in the clinical nurse specialist (CNS) role preparation choose the adult-gerontologic population focus. When offered, the full-time program plan is for 3 years, with 4- and 5-year part-time options available. CNS role preparation courses are scheduled on alternate years, depending on demand. Please consult the Nursing Graduate Programs Director regarding availability and scheduling. Note: The curriculum for the CNS option is undergoing revisions and therefore will likely differ from the plan listed below, if offered.
For the clinical nurse specialist role preparation, the post-baccalaureate DNP program consists of about 74 credits and approximately 1,200 clinical hours. The program includes core, population focus, role preparation, seminar, and practicum courses. A DNP project with presentation is required. No more than 2 C’s may be earned in the graduate program.
700-Level Core Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| NRSG 701 | Nursing Research: Methods | 4 |
| NRSG 715 | Leadership and Health Policy in Nursing | 3 |
Population Focus
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Adult-Gerontologic | ||
| NRSG 719 | Human Responses in Health and Illness: Adults and Older Adults | 4 |
| NRSG 720 | Advanced Theory and Practice of Adults and Older Adults I | 3 |
Functional Role Preparation
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Clinical Practice Role - Clinical Nurse Specialist | ||
| NRSG 704 | Advanced Health Assessment: Adults and Older Adults | 3 |
| NRSG 709 | Advanced Physiological and Pathophysiological Concepts | 3 |
| NRSG 712 | Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Clinical Practice | 3 |
| NRSG 741 | Clinical Nurse Specialist I: Adult and Older Adult Health (CNS) 1 | 7 |
| NRSG 815 | Advanced Clinical Practice for Adults and Older Adults II | 6 |
| NRSG 831 Advanced Clinical Practice of Frail Older Adults | 5 | |
| NRSG 832 | Synthesis of Advanced Clinical Practice of Adults and Older Adults I | 1 |
| NRSG 835 Synthesis of Advanced Clinical Practice of Adults and Older Adults II | 4 | |
800-Level Core Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| NRSG 800 | Advanced Nursing Practice and Informatics | 2 |
| NRSG 802 | Philosophical, Theoretical, and Ethical Foundations for Advanced Nursing Practice | 3 |
| NRSG 803 | Advanced Epidemiology and Biostatistics for Population Health | 4 |
| NRSG 805 | Clinical Scholarship for Advanced Nursing Practice | 4 |
| NRSG 809 | Organizational Leadership and Health Policy for Advanced Nursing Practice | 4 |
800-Level Seminar/Practica and DNP Project
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| NRSG 820 | BSN to DNP Seminar & Practicum I | 3 |
| NRSG 824 | BSN to DNP Seminar II | 1 |
| NRSG 825 | BSN to DNP Seminar III | 1 |
| NRSG 892 | DNP Project I | 1 |
| NRSG 893 | DNP Project II | 3 |
| NRSG 894 | DNP Project III | 3 |
| Total Credits 1 | 74 | |
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Note: The curriculum for the CNS option is undergoing revisions and therefore will likely differ from this plan, if offered.
Program Learning Outcomes
A graduate of the DNP program will be prepared to:
- Expand advanced nursing practice by integrating the art and science of nursing with theory and knowledge from biophysical, psychosocial, political, ethical, technical, analytical, cultural, spiritual, environmental, and organizational realms.
- Promote culturally sensitive, holistic advanced nursing practice care and services in a global community, with emphasis on disease/illness prevention and health/wellness promotion as well as restoration and maintenance.
- Synthesize leadership skills, systems analysis, and advocacy expertise.
- Integrate clinical expertise and competence with population-focused management, evidence-based practice, and health care policy.
- Analyze health–related information systems and technology for the improvement of health care.
- Develop, implement and evaluate evidence-based approaches to advanced nursing practice.
- Evaluate the outcomes of advanced nursing practice.
- Apply clinical scholarship and leadership skills to advanced nursing practice.
- Evaluate personal scholarship, professional growth, and excellence in practice.