Why Choose a DNP Degree?

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is designed to prepare advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who are experts in specialized areas of practice along with expanded responsibility and accountability to care and manage individuals and families. The DNP is the highest practice degree. Nurses who obtain a DNP degree are prepared to use quality improvement strategies to develop, implement, and sustain changes at organization and policy levels; use organization and systems leadership to improve health outcomes and patient safety; advocate for health care policy focused on social justice and equity; The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice (AACN, 2006) guides the curriculum and reflects an inter-disciplinary design.

Our DNP degree focuses on nursing practice and leadership in both rural and urban underserved areas, where the need is the greatest. We're also dedicated to providing opportunities to our students in the use of telecommunications technology, which can provide access to health professionals in areas that would otherwise not have coverage.

Our program offers three specialties with the option to add an additional four courses to obtain an emphasis in gerontology. This is a rigorous program, preparing nurses to practice at the most advanced level of nursing care. While created for working nurses, this program requires a significant number of hours dedicated to your studies as you gain the information needed to become a doctorally prepared nurse practitioner.

Flexible format

We understand that you can't always take a couple of years off from work to go back to school. That's why we've developed a curriculum that combines online and face-to-face courses to make our program accessible to nurses who are working professionals who may not live in the Duluth and St. Cloud, MN areas. Whenever possible, clinical experiences are arranged at appropriate sites near the student's home.

Career outlook

As healthcare costs continue to increase, DNPs and other advanced-practice nurses are able to transform practice by implementing innovative strategies that improve health care systems and patient outcomes while reducing cost (Institute of Medicine, 2011). The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that all types of advanced practice registered nurses will see an increase in employment, of up to 45% within the next 10 years.

Locations

• Duluth
• St. Cloud

Board approved

The College of St. Scholastica's Doctor of Nursing Practice degree and APRN Certificate programs are approved as advanced practice nursing programs by the Minnesota Board of Nursing.