Doctor of Nursing Practice

**Cognate Concentration 9 credits

Students are expected to develop an innovative focused program of study. Students choose nine credits in nursing, medical or interdisciplinary graduate level courses in related fields in consultation with their adviser/mentor from NMHU graduate catalog or approved graduate courses from other Universities. Courses will be chosen in related disciplines. All courses taken in related fields must be approved by the department offering the course and the student’s DNP advisor.

Enrollment in interdisciplinary courses at NMHU are based on department criteria and availability, for example, for PSYC or SW courses the teaching mode (online), accessibility or prerequisites must be met before a student can be enrolled. Students will be notified that class space goes primarily to students in the departments outside of nursing. Cognate Concentrations may include practicum hours depending upon the cognate selected. A portion of the DNP Practice Residency hours can be used if the cognate requires a clinical immersion experience.

Cognate Examples:

• Cardiology
• Behavioral Health
• Substance Abuse & Addiction
• Native American Health
• Internal Medicine (Diabetes, etc.)
• Dermatology
• Education

NURS 6060. Evidence-Based Practice (3); Var

This course is designed to examine the interface of theory, research and practice in order to conceptualize and solve practice problems. Through the lens of the philosophy of science, the process of building scientific information from phenomenon of interest through concept analysis will be addressed. Evidence-based practice process steps including formulation of a question, searching for evidence, critiquing evidence, integrating appraisal with clinical practice, and evaluating the process will be examined. A project addressing practice problems relevant to culturally diverse and rural populations will be a primary outcome of the course. Students will enroll in a minimum of one DNP Practice Project credit simultaneous with this course.

NURS 6110. Epidemiology & Population Health (3); Var

This course is designed to introduce the basic principles, methods, uses of epidemiology and the role of epidemiology in public health and population health. Fundamental epidemiologic methods used to describe and measure disease frequency in public health research and practice are presented. Using descriptive and analytic methods, the study of disease from an epidemiological perspective and the use of these methods in health services planning and evaluation will be addressed. Basis statistical tests used in analysis of epidemiologic data are introduced along with strategies for selection and application of each. Analysis of results generated from statistical tests will be reviewed in the context of interpreting, comprehending and critiquing current population health literature. Problem solving exercises will be used to familiarize students with the types and methods of generating and interpreting data. Corequisites: NURS 6060, NURS 6140.

NURS 6120. Health Informatics (2); Var

This course is designed to provide the student with a comprehensive overview of management information and communications technologies. Knowledge gained in this course will prepare the student to identify, track, collect, analyze and evaluate online applications in order to improve quality of care. A variety of data reporting tools including patient portals, documentation venues, electronic medical records and patient health apps will be introduced and evaluated. Students will explore video conferencing platforms and strategies for use in telehealth.

NURS 6140. Social Determinants of Health (3); Var

The course explores the social, psychological, and cultural determinants of health from an environmental and behavioral perspective. The interface of global, national, and local initiatives and how they impact social determinants of health care are addressed. The impact of micro and macro-determinants of health including consequences of culture, environment, belief systems, health literacy, economic issues, sociopolitical agendas, and geopolitical factors that operate at the individual, family, neighborhood, community, national, and global levels are addressed using a multidisciplinary framework. Emphasis will be placed on developing strategies to improve social determinates of health in diverse or underserved communities based on environmental and risk factors.

NURS 6180. Care Management & Health Policy (3); 2,1 Var

This course will examine key issues related to health policy that lead to health care reform and patient advocacy at the local, state and national level. The complex issues of developing health care policy using the critical elements of decision making, collaboration, negotiation and evidence-based knowledge to create or support legislation will be addressed. Legal, regulatory, ethical and practice issues will be discussed related to improving outcomes in diverse and underserved populations. This course includes a one (1) practice credit (45 practice hours) with a health care policy advocate, organization or legislator in order to provide the student with opportunities to participate in the political processes impacting nursing and health care policy. Prerequisites: NURS 6060, NURS 6110, NURS 6140. Corequisite: NURS 6200.

NURS 6200. Health Systems Leadership (3-4); 2,1 Var

This course will prepare action-oriented nurses with the knowledge and skills needed to lead complex and dynamic organizations and health care systems when addressing quality and safety in patient care. The course focuses on leadership theory and organizational models used to successfully lead health care organizations or systems. Emphasis will be on the development of essential competencies needed for nursing leaders including professionalism, collaboration, communication, global perspective and principles of transformational leadership. Critical leadership skills will also be addressed including strategic thinking, prioritization, decision making, relationship management and human resource development. This course includes a one practice credit (45 practice hours) with a nurse leader. RN to MSN/FNP students required to take 4 credits to meet requirements for the BSN leadership course. DNP students will take this course for 3 credits. Prerequisites: NURS 6060, NURS 6110, NURS 6140. Corequisites: NURS 6180, NURS 6240.

NURS 6220. Research Synthesis (3); Var

This course focuses on the systematic examination and application of qualitative, quantitative, and outcome processes used in biomedical and social science research. By exploring the associations among the nature of the problem, theoretical underpinnings and ethical concerns, students gain an understanding of how research methodologies are selected and used to support evidence-based practices. Use of culturally appropriate research addressing specific patients or populations is addressed. Two expectations for this course are; 1) development of a methodology for the practice project and 2) presentation of the practice project to peers. This course focuses on the systematic examination and application of qualitative, quantitative, and outcome processes used in biomedical and social science research. By exploring the associations among the nature of the problem, theoretical underpinnings and ethical concerns, students gain an understanding of how research methodologies are selected and used to support evidence-based practices. Use of culturally appropriate research addressing specific patients or populations is addressed. Two expectations for this course are; 1) development of a methodology for the practice project and 2) presentation of the practice project to peers. Prerequisites: NURS 6060, NURS 6110, NURS 6120, NURS 6140.

NURS 6240. Program Development & Quality Improvement (3); Var

The focus of this course is on implementing science through program development and quality improvement. Theoretical approaches to translating research into practice, classic program development concepts, the design thinking process, implementation, analytic and evaluation frameworks and principles of quality science are introduced. Emphasis is on the use of theoretical and scientific data to advance innovative solutions. address existing initiatives or predict future trends in health care within the context of program development and quality improvement. Prerequisites: NURS 6060, NURS 6110, NURS 6120, NURS 6140, NURS 6220.

NURS 6260. Health Care Finance & Economics (3); Var

This course provides students with a basic understanding of economic and finance theories, reimbursement systems, market drivers and constraints while exploring the cost/benefit components of financing health care. Ways by which economic and finance decisions play a role in health planning, organization of personnel and resources, design of payment systems, and cost effectiveness of healthcare delivery are explored. By understanding the relationships among stakeholders such as providers, regulatory agencies, payers, policy makers, and consumers, the role of the DNP in complex healthcare organizations, rural health care settings or as an entrepreneur is developed. Prerequisites: NURS 6060, NURS 6110, NURS 6140, NURS 6180, NURS 6240.

NURS 6300. DNP Residency (3); Var

This course is designed for students to synthesize, critique, and apply evidence to quality practices in complex health care organizations. It is the practice capstone whereby students operationalize the practice project approved during the Project Practicums. The residency allows students to work collaborative with individuals, groups or agencies designated as the target population for the evidence-based practice project. A clinical seminar provides the venue for discussion and synthesis of the practice experience with other students. Three credits (135 practice hours) must be documented on work toward the project. Prerequisites: All DNP courses. Corequisites: NURS 6260, NURS 6814.

NURS 6810. Practice Project I (1); Var

The DNP Practice Project courses are a series of one and two credit courses that provide the DNP student the opportunity to design and implement an evidence-based practice project with the assistance of an advisory team. The student and advisory chair determine the project outcomes that must be met for each Practice Project credit. The evidence-based project clinical study will target either a clinical practice problem or a care gap in a culturally diverse or vulnerable population. The Practice Project represents the synthesis of knowledge and research evidence learned in the DNP program. Students must enroll in a minimum of 6 credits, assemble an advisory committee, orally defend the project and submit a scholarly paper as a requirement for earning the DNP degree. Prerequisite: NURS 6060. Corequisites: NURS 6060, NURS 6110, NURS 6140.

NURS 6812. Practice Project II (1); Var

The DNP Practice Project courses are a series of one and two credit courses that provide the DNP student the opportunity to design and implement an evidence-based practice project with the assistance of an advisory team. The student and advisory chair determine the project outcomes that must be met for each Practice Project credit. The evidence-based project clinical study will target either a clinical practice problem or a care gap in a culturally diverse or vulnerable population. The Practice Project represents the synthesis of knowledge and research evidence learned in the DNP program. Students must enroll in a minimum of 6 credits, assemble an advisory committee, orally defend the project and submit a scholarly paper as a requirement for earning the DNP degree. Prerequisites: NURS 6060, NURS 6110, NURS 6140, NURS 6810. Corequisite: NURS 6220.

NURS 6813. Practice Project III (2); Var

The DNP Practice Project courses are a series of one and two credit courses that provide the DNP student the opportunity to design and implement an evidence-based practice project with the assistance of an advisory team. The student and advisory chair determine the project outcomes that must be met for each Practice Project credit. The evidence-based project clinical study will target either a clinical practice problem or a care gap in a culturally diverse or vulnerable population. The Practice Project represents the synthesis of knowledge and research evidence learned in the DNP program. Students must enroll in a minimum of 6 credits, assemble an advisory committee, orally defend the project and submit a scholarly paper as a requirement for earning the DNP degree. Prerequisites: NURS 6060, NURS 6110, NURS 6140, NURS 6220, NURS 6812, NURS 6813. Corequisite: NURS 6240.

NURS 6814. Practice Project IV (1-3); Var

The DNP Practice Project courses are a series of one, two credit and variable credit courses that provide the DNP student the opportunity to design and implement an evidence-based practice project with the assistance of an advisory team. The student and advisory chair determine the project outcomes that must be met for each Practice Project credit. The evidence-based project clinical study will target either a clinical practice problem or a care gap in a culturally diverse or vulnerable population. The Practice Project represents the synthesis of knowledge and research evidence learned in the DNP program. A total of 6 credits minimum must be taken in the Practice Project series I-IV, more credits may be needed to complete the project. Student must assemble an advisory committee, and orally defend the project and submit a scholarly paper as a requirement for earning the DNP degree. Prerequisites: NURS 6060, NURS 6110, NURS 6140, NURS 6220, NURS 6240, NURS 6810, NURS 6812, NURS 6813