Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DNP?
The DNP is a doctoral degree focused on the clinical practice of nursing.
The degree represents the highest academic preparation for nursing practice.
The DNP curriculum focuses on the knowledge needed to provide comprehensive
direct care across settings. It can be conferred in conjunction with
any specialty in advanced practice.
What is the program of study?
The program includes classroom courses, supervised practice, portfolio
development, required publication in a peer-reviewed journal and a one
year Residency. The curricular content will enable the graduate to
make complex diagnoses, provide evidence-based treatment modalities, utilize
sophisticated informatics and decision-making technology, and assimilate
in-depth knowledge of biophysical, psychosocial, behavioral and clinical
sciences.
How is this different from current APN practice?
The expanded competencies of the Doctor of Nursing Practice enable graduates
to independently provide complex care across all settings including ambulatory,
acute, community and home settings. For example, the expanded curriculum will
focus on the utilization of evidence-based decision-making to admit and co-manage
hospitalized patients, to provide advice and treatment initiated over the phone
while taking call, and to initiate specialist referrals and evaluate the subsequent
advice and initiate and participate in co-management.
Is a master's degree in nursing required for admission?
At this time we are only accepting applicants with a master's degree in
advanced practice nursing from an NLN or CCNE accredited program. We intend
to eventually have a bachelor's in nursing entry point; please check back
for updates on this option.
How long will it take?
The post-master's program will take two years including a one year Residency.
The post-baccalaureate program for nurses will take four years including
one year of Residency. (not yet offered)
Can DNP students continue to work during the program?
Yes. Students enter the DNP program as a cohort in the Fall semester. During
the first year, the courses are offered 2 consecutive days/week for the Fall
(15 weeks), 2 consecutive days/week for Spring (15 weeks), and one day/week in
Summer. Therefore, part time employment is possible during the first year, although
students will be required to make academic study their priority. In the second
academic year, starting in Fall, students will enter the Residency. Students
are encouraged to negotiate a paid position for the Residency. Full time employment
is definitely possible in year two. The Residency must be in an approved setting
which may or may not be in the New York metropolitan area. However, attendance
at scheduled seminars is required during the Residency year.
What is the Residency? How long will it take?
Upon completion of all coursework and field experiences, students enter
the Residency. In this mentored and supervised experience, the students
assume a full time position as a DNP with access to and authority
for expanded scope practice to master the DNP competencies. All residencies
must be at a level which will allow demonstration of the achievement of
DNP competencies. Residency sites include hospital-based clinics,
ambulatory centers, emergency rooms, acute care units, hospice care, home
care, rehabilitation and assisted living settings. During the Residency
year, students must participate in regularly scheduled scholarly seminars
on site at Columbia. It is expected that students will accomplish the
requirements of the Residency within one calendar year and submit a DNP
Portfolio, including a published article in a peer reviewed journal, in
partial fulfillment of the degree.
What is the Portfolio?
The DNP Portfolio consists of written documentation providing evidence
of clinical scholarship. Included in the portfolio are student authored
peer reviewed manuscripts on clinical issues, clinical innovations and
case studies, case narratives that demonstrate evidence-based practice,
evidence of the application of principles of practice management and quality
assurance. Analogous to the dissertation, the portfolio demonstrates the
student's transformation to doctoral level advanced practice nurse.
What are the admission requirements for the post-master's DNP program?
Admission criteria include:
- New York State license as Registered Nurse and Advanced Practice Nurse
or eligibility
- Current professional certification as an Advanced Practice Nurse
- Master's degree in advanced nursing practice from an NLN or CCNE accredited program
- Relevant experience in advanced practice nursing
- Three references attesting to applicant's academic ability and potential,
including one from a professional colleague
- Satisfactory score on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
- Statistics course taken within the past five years
- Resume or CV
- Personal goal statement
- On site interview
- Case study
How does the DNP differ from the PhD or other research doctorates?
The DNP, or clinical doctorate, prepares the graduate to practice independently
with the most complex patients, in any setting where the patient requires
care, utilizing complicated informatics and evidence-based decision-making . Research
doctorates prepare graduates to initiate and conduct sophisticated research
projects, serving as the principal investigator.
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