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Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), FlexPath Option

School of Nursing and Health Sciences

The accredited† Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree program is designed for master’s-prepared nurses who want to pursue administrative positions, nurse administrators who want to expand their leadership responsibilities, or nurse leaders who want to design and implement health care delivery programs. The curriculum emphasizes effective health care delivery; patient advocacy; and health care policy development, implementation, and reform. Throughout the program, learners assess and apply theory, build therapeutic relationships, design and implement therapeutic interventions, and lead and manage in the health care environment. Upon successful completion of this degree program, learners are prepared to apply the knowledge and skills needed to meet diverse patient needs and improve health care delivery. The DNP degree program is not designed to prepare advanced practice registered nurses for roles as nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse midwives, or certified nurse anesthetists. Registered nurses who have a master’s degree in nursing or a field other than nursing may pursue Capella’s DNP. Learners who pursue this degree program through the FlexPath option earn a DNP through self-paced demonstrations of competencies.

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Practicum Requirement(s):

Minimum of 1,000 supervised practicum hours. See the Practicum section, below, for more information.

NHS-FPX8002
Collaboration, Communication, and Case Analysis for Doctoral Learners

This course prepares learners for doctoral-level coursework in the School of Nursing and Health Sciences. Throughout the course, learners analyze and evaluate how the scholar-practitioner model provides guidance for developing competencies in effective and ethical health care leadership, including professional and interprofessional collaboration, communication, inclusion, and decision making. For DNP, FlexPath option learners only. Must be taken during the learner’s first quarter. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

 2 program points
NHS-FPX8040
21st-Century Health Care Leadership

Learners in this course build foundational knowledge and skills needed to shape the future of health care. Through the lens of a 21st-century health care leader, learners use critical thinking, analysis, and creative insights to examine a problem, gap, or opportunity for improvement within a health care or public health delivery system. Learners also complete a culminating project charter to further develop a coherent quality improvement plan for 21st-century health care. For DNP, FlexPath option learners only. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

 2 program points
NURS-FPX8010
Executive Leadership in Contemporary Nursing

Learners in this course analyze and evaluate interrelationships within complex health care delivery systems, including organizational stakeholders; executive power structures; and population, fiscal, and policy issues. Learners apply this knowledge as well as executive leadership skills to professional practice and recommend policy changes that support system-level strategic priorities. For DNP, FlexPath option learners only. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

 2 program points
NURS-FPX8012
Nursing Technology and Health Care Information Systems

Learners in this course analyze the many facets of health informatics from the perspectives of data, information, knowledge, and wisdom. Learners also evaluate the role of nurses in advanced nursing practice roles with relation to policy-making, application design, technology selection, usability, safety, security, outcome data analysis, and interdisciplinary clinical workflow integration. In addition, learners investigate strategies related to the utilization of information technology for quality improvement initiatives, evidence-based practice guideline implementation, administrative and clinical decision-making, and patient and clinician education.  For DNP, FlexPath option learners only. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

 2 program points
NURS-FPX8014 *
Global Population Health

In this course, learners evaluate global health issues and propose and evaluate culturally sensitive interventions to address global health concerns. Throughout the course, learners build the knowledge and skills necessary to lead the development and implementation of institutional, local, state, national, or international health care initiatives. For DNP, FlexPath option learners only. Prerequisite(s): NURS-FPX8010. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

 2 program points
NURS-FPX8030 *
Evidence-Based Practice Process for the Nursing Doctoral Learner

In this course, learners apply the steps of the evidence-based practice (EBP) process to a health care challenge. Learners assess scholarly literature, evaluate research methods, interpret the results, understand the practical significance of healthcare data analyses, and prepare to use sound research practices in the development of a capstone project.  For DNP FlexPath option learners only. Prerequisite(s): NHS-FPX8002. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.​

 2 program points
NURS-FPX8045 *
Doctoral Writing and Professional Practice

Learners in this course write as doctoral professionals, including crafting a compelling argument and creating a literature review that supports a possible intervention or process change. Learners also obtain approval for their practicum site and preceptor and complete the related paperwork. For DNP, FlexPath option learners only. Prerequisite(s): NURS-FPX8030, completion of or concurrent registration in NURS-FPX8012. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

 2 program points
NURS-FPX9100 *
Defining the Nursing Doctoral Project

In this course, learners finalize a project charter to address a clinical or organizational problem or take advantage of an opportunity for improvement within a health care or public health setting. Learners also meet a high standard for ethical, interprofessional practice. Learners begin precepted practicum hours in this course.  For DNP, FlexPath option learners only. Special permission is required for registration. Prerequisite(s): NHS-FPX8040, NURS-FPX8010, NURS-FPX8012, NURS-FPX8014, NURS-FPX8030, NURS-FPX8045, and RSCH-FPX7864. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

 2 program points
NURS-FPX9901 *
Nursing Doctoral Project 1

Learners in this course obtain university approval to begin the implementation phase of their project. At the completion of the course, learners associate project outcomes with a quality/performance improvement framework and formalize the project implementation plan. This course requires completion of practicum hours. For DNP, FlexPath option learners only. Prerequisite(s): NURS-FPX9100. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

 2 program points
NURS-FPX9902 *
Nursing Doctoral Project 2

In this course, learners implement their projects and reflect on the process and lessons learned. Learners also conduct an exhaustive search of the literature, critically appraise the evidence, and develop a coherent interpretation and synthesis of the main themes and relationships among sources. This course requires completion of practicum hours. For DNP, FlexPath option learners only. Prerequisite(s): NURS-FPX9901. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

 2 program points
NURS-FPX9903 *
Nursing Doctoral Project 3

Learners in this course begin the process of documenting their project in a scholarly manner. Throughout the course, learners evaluate data, incorporate evidence, draft analysis, and develop the first part of their doctoral project. This course requires completion of practicum hours. For DNP, FlexPath option learners only. Prerequisite(s): NURS-FPX9902. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

 2 program points
NURS-FPX9904 *
Nursing Doctoral Project 4

In this course, learners complete the final report and apply knowledge and experience gained during the doctoral project. Learners also create a presentation on the purpose, intervention, and results of their project to develop dissemination skills. This course requires completion of practicum hours. For DNP, FlexPath option learners only. Prerequisite(s): NURS-FPX9903. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

 2 program points
RSCH-FPX7864
Quantitative Design and Analysis

In this course, learners investigate the fundamental concepts needed to conduct quantitative research. Learners examine and apply quantitative research techniques; appropriate applications of quantitative research; research design, measurement, and analysis, and their associated interdependencies; variable types and levels of measurement; sampling; descriptive and inferential statistics; and hypothesis testing. Learners define the strengths and limitations of descriptive statistics, analyze the quantitative scales of measurement, review the logic of probability and null hypothesis testing, and leverage technology when applicable. Learners also determine the steps necessary to ensure human subjects protection, and consider methodological adaptations when conducting research with vulnerable and diverse populations.  Learners may only earn credit for PSY-FP7864 or RSCH-FPX7864.  Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

 2 program points

 

 

Total

 

 

At least 26 program points

* Denotes courses that have prerequisite(s). Refer to the descriptions for further details.

Learners who do not complete all program requirements within quarter credit/program point minimums will be required to accrue such additional quarter credits/program points as are associated with any additional or repeat coursework necessary for successful completion of program requirements.

† The BSN, MSN, and DNP degree programs at Capella University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, One Dupont Circle, NW Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036, (202) 887-6791.

Alabama residents are not eligible to enroll in this degree program.

This program does not prepare graduates for licensure as an RN or APRN.

Learners enrolled in the DNP, FlexPath option degree program are required to maintain a current, unrestricted RN license throughout their program.

GuidedPath courses and FlexPath courses fulfill the program requirements and prerequisites for each delivery model. 

 

Practicum

Learners enrolled in the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program must have 1,000 documented hours of post-bachelor’s, hands-on practicum experience as a requirement of their program. The practicum experience requires learners to synthesize and expand the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the program by applying evidence-based methods to practice. Learners are responsible for finding an appropriate preceptor to oversee the practicum experience. With their preceptors, learners then engage in in-depth work within a practice environment that is the focus of their final project. The environment for the practicum experience is a professional site at which learners, with the support of program faculty and their on-site preceptors, design and participate in a practice change initiative such as a pilot study, program evaluation, quality improvement project, evaluation of a new practice model, or consulting project. Learners use the practicum experience to help them achieve the DNP program outcomes and competencies and the learning objectives related to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice. Practicum hours are considered complete once all program required practicum hours have been successfully achieved. Partial completion of practicum hours requirements cannot be verified for licensure or transfer of credits.