Nursing, DNP
Program Description
The Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Doctor of Nursing Practice Program is an online, part-time, post-master’s, clinical doctorate for registered nurses interested in expanding their skills as nurse leaders or nurse practitioners. This program prepares graduates to provide the most advanced level of nursing care for individuals, families, organizations and communities.
This includes direct care of individual patients, management of care for individuals and populations, administration of nursing systems, development and implementation of health and evidence-based practice.
Because courses are delivered remotely, students can remain in the communities where they live and work while completing program requirements. Travel may be required for students to interact with state or national experts in their areas of study. The curriculum is consistent with program standards set forth in the Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Practice. Students enrolled in the program will complete a scholarly project designed to improve patient or system outcomes.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
Nursing Programs Goals
The goals of the Nursing Programs in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences are:
- To develop within the student the knowledge and skills necessary for beginning professional and advanced nursing practice, cultivating basic and specialized abilities needed to successfully pursue a career, and
- To promote the concept of nursing as caring and facilitate attainment of a care delivery system sensitive to multicultural communities and their health values, and
- To offer individuals the opportunity to increase the breadth and depth of the theoretical base for nursing practice, enhance and expand competence, prepare for role specialization, and contribute to the discovery of new nursing knowledge, and
- To provide an educational environment of respect within which students may evolve as broadly educated, technology competent, responsible, and accountable professionals dedicated to the principles of lifelong learning, and
- To build a foundation for life-long learning & systematic practice, and
- To serve the community as nursing experts, leaders and consultants in professional organizations, health promoters, providers of health care policy information and advocates of ethical distribution and usage of resources.
Graduate Programs
The College of Nursing and Health Sciences offers course work leading to the Master of Science in Nursing degree and the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. Additionally, the college offers graduate courses in Health Care Administration.
All graduate nursing courses and several of the health care administration courses employ distance education instructional strategies for the vast majority (75% or more) of the instruction and interaction.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will:
- Integrate nursing science knowledge from the biophysical, psychosocial, analytical, and organizational sciences and ethics as the basis for practice.
- Provide culturally relevant health promotion and disease prevention initiatives based on epidemiological, bio-statistical, environmental, and other scientific evidence for diverse populations.
- Demonstrate visionary organizational leadership by designing and implementing efficient effective practice and policy models.
- Apply advanced levels of clinical scholarship, systems thinking and analytical methods in evidence-based management and practice.
- Translate and disseminate knowledge to transform caring management and practice.
- Leverage information systems and patient care technology for the improvement and transformation of health care.
- Analyze, develop, and advocate for healthcare policies to improve healthcare systems across diverse constituencies.
- Collaborate inter-professionally to improve patient and population outcomes through practice, education, and leadership.
For Additional Information
Website:
http://conhs.tamucc.edu
Phone: (361) 825-5893 - CONHS Graduate Academic Advisor
Campus Address:
Island Hall Third Floor
Mailing Address:
College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
6300 Ocean Drive, Unit 5805
Corpus Christi, Texas 78412-5805
Contact:
Dr. Tammy McGarity | DNP Program Coordinator
Phone: (361) 825-2607
Email: tammy.mcgarity@tamucc.edu
Island Hall 339
College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
6300 Ocean Drive, Unit 5805 Corpus Christi, Texas 78412-5805
Admission Requirements
Students seeking admission to the Doctor of Nursing Practice program will need to:
- Complete an application to the University for admission to College of Graduate Studies and to the DNP Program.
- Students must complete an online application to the College of Nursing and Health Sciences using the application in Apply Texas. If the student is not already enrolled at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, the student must also apply to the University for admission. Admission to the University does not constitute admission to the nursing program.
- Have earned a Master of Science in Nursing or equivalent master’s degree.
- Provide evidence of current valid unencumbered licensure as a registered nurse with authority to practice in Texas.
- Have earned a satisfactory grade point average of 3.0 on 4.0 scale in their graduate nursing program.
- Write a 500-word essay explaining why they are enrolling in a Doctor of Nursing Practice program.
- Submit three letters of recommendation from individuals knowledgeable about their potential to work effectively in advanced, professional, and scholarly roles.
- Provide a current resume that delineates an applicant’s professional contributions and work experiences and contains sufficient information to represent the applicant’s accomplishments in nursing.
- Hold national certification as a Nurse Practitioner (for DNP in NP only).
- Submit a copy of authorization to practice as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in Texas (for DNP in NP only).
- Have completed within the past seven years, a graduate-level inferential statistics course with a grade of B or better. Provisional admission is possible for students who do not meet this requirement. Students admitted with provisional status must complete this requirement within the first academic year of the DNP program and before enrolling in any research course.
- Have completed a graduate level research course.
Program Requirements
Curriculum
The core nursing courses consist of graduate-level study of the scientific knowledge that comprises the discipline and profession of nursing, and prepares the student for advanced nursing practice.
Graduation Requirements
| Requirements | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Core Courses | 33 |
| Advanced Specialty Courses | 3 |
| DNP Project Seminar (1 hr./each of 4 last 4 semesters) | 4 |
| 1000 hours of field experience (maybe be completed within the required courses) | |
| DNP Project (maybe be completed within the required courses) | |
| Total Credit Hours | 40 |
The Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi College of Graduate Studies Recency of Credit rule requires that all credit earned for a graduate degree must be completed within seven years of the first semester in which a student is enrolled in a graduate program. This requirement means that students are expected to complete their DNP program in seven years. In rare situations, an exception to this seven-year policy may be granted from the Dean for the College Graduate Studies when a student is unable to complete courses in this time. The student must complete a request with an explanation as to why the exception should be made as soon as the student determines that courses will not be completed within this time frame. The request should be submitted to the Graduate Academic Advisor and the DNP Program Coordinator.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core DNP Courses | ||
| NURS 6300 | Health Policy and Economics for the DNP * | 3 |
| NURS 6301 | Epidemiology and Statistics for Evidence-Based Practice * | 3 |
| NURS 6302 | Genomics in Health Care * | 3 |
| NURS 6303 | System Behavior and Impact on Health Care * | 3 |
| NURS 6304 | Application of Evidence in Practice I * | 3 |
| NURS 6305 | Principles of Nursing Education for Teaching and Patient Care * | 3 |
| NURS 6306 | Informatics and Technology for Advanced Practice * | 3 |
| NURS 6307 | Application of Evidence in Practice II * | 3 |
| NURS 6308 | DNP Project Proposal * | 3 |
| NURS 6310 | DNP Practicum (3) * | 3 |
| NURS 6311 | DNP Project Report * | 3 |
| Advanced Specialty Course | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Nurse Practitioner Special Course | ||
| Application of Advanced Principles for Clinical Nursing Practice * | ||
| Nurse Executive Specialty Course | ||
| Advanced Principles for Executive Practice | ||
| DNP Seminar | ||
| NURS 6395 | DNP Project Seminar (taken each of final 4 semesters) | 4 |
| Total Hours | 40 | |
- *
Online offering
Field Experiences
Students are expected to complete a minimum of 1000 hours of field experience related to their courses and focus of study. Appropriate field or clinical hours completed in an MSN program will be counted as part of the 1000 hours (up to 500). Applicants will be required to demonstrate these hours were completed in relevant settings. Students will be responsible for identifying and selecting agencies or preceptors for their field experiences. For more information, please see the CONHS Doctoral Student Handbook.
DNP Project
All students must complete a scholarly project as a requirement for the DNP degree. The project provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate their ability to develop effective interventions for patients and patient populations with complex health problems. The projects will be completed through multi-disciplinary collaborative partnerships and under faculty guidance.
Courses
An overview of project management techniques and tools as they apply to health care operations, projects and programs. The basics of a sound action plan will be introduced and will include identifying tasks, relevant relationships, and resources. This course will be taken in conjunction with NURS 5469 Patterns of Care Delivery Course.
Students will explore internal and external issues influencing organizational decisions and policies affecting human capital. Critical human capital functions will be addressed to provide a solid understanding of the many issues confronting the nurse leader.
Exploration of the historical development and rationale of nursing theory. Examination of selected theories and conceptual frameworks, and their relationship to nursing practice and research. Emphasis is on the utilization of theories and models in nursing as a basis for a practice that provides a caring, comprehensive, and holistic approach to health care within a transcultural society. This course is delivered through online technology.
Critical examination of research methods in order to advance and integrate evidence into nursing practice and improve patient population outcomes. Particular attention is given to research appraisal and application, and the ethical aspects of research translation. This course is delivered through online technology.
Health policy and cultural diversity are studied to provide foundations for meeting the needs of communities and societies. Current and proposed policies that influence contemporary health delivery are analyzed. This course is delivered through online technology.
The course focuses on the development of knowledge and skills necessary for advanced practice. This includes, but is not limited to, negotiation, collaboration, crisis intervention, peer review, leadership, ethics, accountability and basic finances in advanced practice. Parameters of practice within various health care systems are integrated. This course is delivered through online technology.
Study of pharmacotherapeutics across the life span with emphasis on clinical decision-making. Laws governing Advanced Practice Registered Nurses' prescriptive privileges are included when appropriate. Discussion is based on current literature, research findings and case studies. This course is delivered through online technology.
Study of fiscal aspects of private practice, when to seek the services of a lawyer, analysis of and monitoring the cost-effectiveness of clinical decisions, the design of payment systems, fiscal management, and developing collaborative and interdependent relationships. This course is delivered through online technology.
Study and practice of complex skills for comprehensive health assessment and focus on the differentiation and interpretation of normal and abnormal findings. Selected laboratory techniques are included. Oral and written communication of findings in a collaborative relationship with other health care providers is emphasized. Variables related to rural and multicultural populations are incorporated into the total assessment. Opportunities are provided to develop skills necessary for the identification of health problems, while considering variables associated with multicultural populations across the lifespan. The lecture component of this course is delivered through online technology. Laboratory hours must be completed in appropriate settings approved by clinical faculty.
Study of normal physiologic and pathologic mechanisms of disease across the lifespan that serve as the foundation for clinical assessment, decision making and client health management in advanced practice nursing. This course is developed through online technology.
An introduction to the application of computers in nursing. Focuses on concepts and terminology related to computer technology, information management and their use in nursing leadership, nursing education, nursing practice, and nursing research. Designed for graduate students. This course is delivered through online technology.
A study of the complex integration of knowledge, research, and theory essential to developing clinical competence in the teaching-coaching function of the Advanced Practice Nurses. Selected models of health promotion, risk factors and early disease detection are explored. The course emphasizes the importance of situational, cultural, developmental, and individual perspectives in implementing disease prevention/health promotion activities. This course is delivered through online technology.
Study of advanced pharmacotherapeutics across the life span for the nurse educator. Discussions are based upon current literature, research findings, and case studies. This course is delivered through online technology.
This course explores theories and models that are applicable to nursing curriculum development. Guidelines for curriculum development, implementation and evaluation are examined. The significance of program outcomes are assessed for application to manage and refine nursing curriculum.This course is delivered through online technology.
Focuses on the scientific and theoretical foundations of nursing education; stimulates reflections on the character and aims of the nurse educator; examines the distinctive characteristics and roles of the educator in the diffusion and extension of knowledge through teaching and the advancement of knowledge through research and scholarship. Theories related to teaching and learning are explored. The concepts of role, change, curriculum, instruction and evaluation are introduced. This course is delivered through online technology.
Provides students with an overview of assessment, measurement, and evaluation strategies in the classroom and clinical areas. Students develop evaluation skills emphasizing unit, course and program outcomes. The process of evaluation within the teaching role is framed as a continuous quality improvement educational practice.
Focuses on teaching and learning for nurse educators in the classroom, clinical, and laboratory settings. Emphasis is placed on instructional theory, best teaching practices, and research-based instructional strategies that support a diverse, student-centered learning environment. Instructional strategies will be applied in relation to the fit with teaching content and course design/delivery. Instructional strategies will be assessed for their effectiveness to evaluate student learning and program outcomes. This course is delivered through technology.
Overview of concepts, principles and uses of basic accounting and budgeting information for the health care manager. Focuses on providing the nurse administrator with a basis for understanding the fiscal status of a health care organization; Includes 45 hours of laboratory time to strengthen financial skills including ROI, budget development, FTEs and financial statement analysis. This course is cross-listed with HCAD 5325. This course is delivered through online technology.
Examines the relationship of leadership and management theory and processes to nursing practice in both urban and rural health care settings. The independent and interdependent functions of the nurse leader at various levels of decision making are identified and analyzed. Concepts basic to organizational functioning and role relationships within a transcultural framework are considered. A clinical laboratory experience provides students opportunities to analyze the effectiveness of leadership behaviors. The lecture component of this course is delivered through online technology. Laboratory hours must be completed in appropriate settings approved by clinical faculty.
Focuses on the application and utilization of the theories, concepts and principles of organizational design and behavior in nursing leadership. Includes major theoretical viewpoints from organizational dynamics and processes, and their employment in nursing leadership environments. This course is delivered through online technology.
Examines conceptual models of quality and their application to the management and evaluation of quality of care across health care settings. The role of outcomes measurement as a major indicator of quality of care is emphasized. This course is delivered through online technology.
In?depth study of various leadership and clinical nursing practice areas. May be repeated when topics vary. Offered on sufficient demand.
In?depth study and discussion of various topics relevant to nursing. May be repeated when topics vary. Offered on sufficient demand.
Area of study interest.
Proposal development, project implementation or independent research under the direction of major professor. Students who have completed all requirements toward the Master of Science in Nursing degree except the thesis must enroll in this course each semester of the regular academic year under the direction of major professor. May be repeated a maximum of four times.
Independent research under the direction of a faculty member. Credit will not be recorded until thesis is accepted by the thesis committee.
Apply the roles of the nurse educator by using the nurse educator competencies as a framework for the practicum experience. Students will select an area of teaching either as an academic educator or as a clinical educator and work with a preceptor. This course requires the synthesis of theoretical knowledge from foundational courses to the design, implementation, and evaluation of a capstone project. Students will evaluate the responsibilities of the educator role in relation to meeting the goals of the practicum institution. This course requires 135 hours in a practicum setting. Students must achieve a B or above to earn credit for this course. The lecture component of this course is delivered through online technology. Laboratory hours must be completed in appropriate settings approved by clinical faculty. Capstone Course
Appraisal of various patterns of care delivery that develop in response to the evolving and increasingly complex resources in the health care delivery system. Students will complete a project evaluating the management and delivery of the continuum of care in one or more health care organizations. Students must earn a B or better grade to earn credit for this course. The lecture component of this course is delivered through online technology. Laboratory hours must complete in appropriate settings approved by clinical faculty. Capstone Course.
Study and practice of complex skills for comprehensive health assessment with focus on differentiation and interpretation of normal and abnormal findings across the lifespan. Focus extends to developing a comprehensive database to establish a list of differential diagnoses. Includes radiology, EKGs and common office tests performed in primary practice. Oral and written communication of findings in a collaborative relationship with other healthcare providers is emphasized. Variables related to rural and multicultural populations are incorporated into the total assessment. Students increase knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and communication skills. The clinical component of the course provides opportunity to interpret as well as practice complex assessment techniques. Students perform basic office tests and interpret other laboratory and diagnostic data as part of the assessment process. The lecture component of this course is delivered through online technology. Laboratory hours must be completed in appropriate settings approved by clinical faculty.
Study of clinical management of commonly occurring acute and chronic conditions in primary health care settings across the lifespan. Content includes study of symptom complexes, pathophysiology, epidemiology, clinical management, and prevention of complications. Emphasis is on symptom analysis, diagnostic reasoning, differential diagnosis, and prescription of therapeutic regimens. Attention is given to research-based pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments, and integration of nursing, developmental, family and transcultural theories to the diagnostic and management process. The clinical practice provides the opportunity for the student to perform comprehensive and episodic assessments, practice advanced skills in health assessment, diagnose commonly occurring illnesses, and suggest treatments under supervision in urban/rural communities. The lecture component of this course is delivered through online technology. Laboratory hours must be completed in appropriate settings approved by clinical faculty.
Continued study of the clinical management of commonly occurring acute and chronic conditions in primary health care settings across the life span. Emphasis is on symptom analysis, diagnostic reasoning, differential diagnosis, and prescription of therapeutic regimens. The clinical practice provides the opportunity for the students to perform comprehensive and episodic assessments, practice advanced skills in health assessment, diagnose commonly occurring illness, and suggest treatments under supervision. The lecture component of this course is delivered through online technology. Laboratory hours must be completed in appropriate settings approved by clinical faculty.
Prerequisite: NURS 5644.
Continued study of assessment and clinical management of selected health problems frequently seen in primary health care. The clinical portion provides for the development of clinical competence as the student integrates previously acquired knowledge into the enactment of the multiple roles for the nurse practitioner, and allows for a greater degree of interdependent practice based on the student's abilities and progress. Student may work with a preceptor in multicultural and rural communities. Students must earn a B or better grade to earn credit for this course. The lecture component of this course is delivered through online technology. Laboratory hours must be completed in appropriate settings approved by clinical faculty. Capstone Course.
Prerequisite: NURS 5645.
Focus is on the use of political efficacy and competence to improve health outcomes and improve the quality of the health care delivery system. The interrelationships between policy, political trends, health care quality outcomes, access to care, and economics will be examined.
Prerequisite: NURS 6307.
Principles of epidemiology and biostatics applied to the management of population health.
Focus is on the relationship between genes, environment, and health. Emphasis will be placed on concepts of prevention and treatment effectiveness within cultural care contexts. Ethical and legal considerations will also be addressed.
Principles and application of organizational behavior that promotes quality care delivery in diverse healthcare settings. The microsystems framework for quality management will be applied to quality management in selected healthcare settings. May require field-based activities.
Exploration of issues related to evidence-based practice in select clinical settings under the direction of faculty. Synthesizes key research related to clinical topics as part of systematic review of evidence. Requires field-based activities.
An overview of theoretical principles & guidelines used in the design & evaluation of educational programs. Focus is on adult education philosophies and learning theories and their impact on nursing education in multiple settings. Curriculum development at the institutional, course, and individual class levels including both academic and clinical settings will be examined.
The examination of the use and mobilization of information and technology across organizations for insuring continuity of quality care. May require field-based activities.
Integration of practice, theory, and research to expand clinical expertise in the management of clinical or system problems. Includes the examination of care delivery structures and processes that contribute to specific clinical problems. Clinical practice experiences available with this course.
Development of DNP project proposal. Requires presentation to DNP faculty for approval at the end of the course.
Expanded development of expertise in the management of health problems in selected populations through clinical practice experiences.
Prerequisite: (NURS 6321).
Demonstration of advanced role competencies through the design and the implementation of a project with potential to have a positive impact on patient or system outcomes.
Prerequisite: (NURS 6307).
Emphasis will be on synthesis of past clinical practice, with advanced understanding of theory, evidence based practice, policy issues, and principles of quality assurance and safety to continue the development of the doctoral student as an expert reflective practitioner. Individualized clinical focus will be on designated populations.
Application of financial and human resource management principles in designing solutions to complex healthcare delivery problems emerging from current healthcare reimbursement and performance requirements. Clinical experiences are required for this course.
In depth study of various leadership and clinical nursing practice areas. Students will study techniques in evidence based research and apply aspects of research methods including quality improvement methodologies and statistical techniques.
Deliverables related to the DNP project. Open only to DNP students in the CONHS with consent of the DNP Chair. Does not count as credit toward regular graded coursework for DNP degree. Grade assigned will be "credit" (CR) or "no credit" (NC).