Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program - Online Overview The DNP program is offered online and addresses the most contemporary aspects of expert clinical practice and in depth knowledge and experience in leadership, health systems design and evaluation, evidence-based practice, health policy, and applied research. The MUSC DNP Program enables students to - Demonstrate expertise in advanced clinical nursing practice roles based on mastery of a specialized area of knowledge derived from a strong scientific foundation.
- Use clinical scholarship and analytical methods to improve quality and safety in health care systems through organizational leadership, systems thinking, and practice management acumen.
- Implement continuous quality improvement in patient care and provide leadership in practice and clinical decision-making through use of information systems and technology resources.
- Foster interprofessional collaboration and teamwork in the improvement of population health outcomes.
- Influence health care policy that determines the financing, regulation, access, and delivery of care.
- Promote health equity in the provision of care to eliminate health disparities.
The DNP program is a practice-focused doctoral program in nursing that awards both the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree and the terminal professional degree of Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) upon graduation. Graduates will be employed in primary care settings, hospitals, public health agencies, and schools of nursing. The purpose of the program is to prepare graduates who will practice nursing at the highest clinical level. Application for the fall 2009 program is due by February 1, 2009. Applications received after the deadline will be considered on a space available basis.
Programs Students may enter the program with either a BSN or MSN. Post-baccalaureate students who decide not to pursue the DNP may exit the program with a master's degree. Specialty areas include adult, family and pediatric practice tracks. Graduates from these tracks will be eligible for certification as a nurse practitioner. A practice inquiry project will be completed during the last year of the program under the direction of one's faculty advisor. Full and part-time plans of study are available. An individual program plan of study is completed at the time of admission into the program. We accept and highly encourage students from our accelerated BSN program to apply to our DNP program. Sample plans of study are found below.
Faculty The experienced faculty in the DNP program will guide you through coursework to facilitate your transition to nurse leader. With approval, students may also include outside clinical experts to advise on their clinical inquiry project.
Technical Requirements Didactic content is delivered online using asynchronous and synchronous modalities. Applicants to this online program must be computer literate and are encouraged to seek extra training on weak computing skills before the start of the program. The course work requires use of word processing, spreadsheet management and presentation graphics. Students are expected to manage files, navigate the internet, and use a headset, computer camera, scanner and fax machine. The College of Nursing uses WebCT as a course management program to deliver online courses. Additionally, the doctoral program uses a video-conferencing system to allow visual and audio feed among several persons at one time. Access to broadband (Cable or DSL) connections is necessary. Students will need a web camera and microphone, as well as a laptop computer meeting the minimal hardware requirements. Our multimedia content is optimized for Internet Explorer and Firefox. The Nursing Technology Center website provides information regarding technology hardware and software requirements, computer purchases, computer policies, and who to contact for assistance.
Clinical Experiences Precepted clinical experiences are individually arranged. Students can complete clinical experiences in a local community with an approved preceptor. If an acceptable preceptor is not available, students may have to travel to a clinical site. Post BSN nurse practitioner students will complete between 1,035 and 1,215 clinical hours. Clinical experiences are completed in a local community. For the post MSN, a minimum of 1,000 practicum hours are required, which includes preceptored practicum hours earned for the MSN degree. Deficit practicum hours, if any, will be added to the residency practicum hours. Clinical specialty courses require an on-campus, intensive learning experience once a semester. Health assessment courses may require two on-campus sessions. These sessions will take place at the MUSC Healthcare Simulation Center. The 11,000 square-foot simulation center houses more than $900,000 in sophisticated simulation technology, including more than 50 advanced adult and infant simulators. The simulators are used to provide clinical training to nursing, medical and allied health students, as well as continuing education for practicing health care professionals. MUSC's center includes machines that simulate giving birth, an emergency room with four different patients (including trauma), cardiopulmonary resuscitation, an operating room environment, heart attacks and more.
Criminal Background Check and Drug Screen Upon matriculation, all College of Nursing students will be required to undergo a criminal background check and complete a drug screen. Financial Aid Several avenues are open to students seeking support for their doctoral education. The MUSC Financial Aid Office offers mechanisms that are often dependent on completion of FAFSA forms. Small scholarships are generously given by the College's Alumni Association; students should check with their own professional organizations for funding opportunities. Depending on funding, federal loan forgiveness programs are sometimes available for full-time (9 credits in fall/spring, 7 credits in summer) students who teach in schools of nursing upon receipt of their degree.
Admission Requirements Post-Baccalaureate Entry: - Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from a nationally accredited program
- Cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for undergraduate coursework (official transcripts for all post-secondary school coursework are required)
- Undergraduate statistics course
- Unencumbered, active registered nurse (RN) license in state where practicums will be conducted
- Three references from professionals knowledgeable about the applicant's academic and nursing leadership potential (must use University forms)
- Current CV or Résumé
- Personal essay that includes the applicant's professional goals, reason for wanting to study in a particular area of specialization, and how the applicant anticipates the role and scope of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, (500 to 600 words typed on one page)
- Interview, if requested by the Admissions, Progression, and Graduation Committee
Post-Master's Entry - Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree from a nationally accredited program and evidence of credentialing within the applicant's specialty, if appropriate, otherwise submission of a professional portfolio documenting evidence of applicant's area of expertise
- Cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for undergraduate and graduate coursework (official transcripts for all post-secondary school coursework are required)
- Graduates from nurse practitioner (NP) programs other than MUSC must provide written verification of clinical hours from the NP program director
- Unencumbered, active registered nurse (RN) license in state where practicums will be conducted
- Three references from professionals knowledgeable about the applicant's academic and nursing leadership potential (must use University forms)
- Statement of professional goals, including an indication of scholarly project to be undertaken in a 1-year residency at the end of the program of study (500 to 600 words typed on one page)
- Current CV or Résumé
- Interview, if requested by the Admissions, Progression, and Graduation Committee
Acceptance decisions are made in February of each year for the fall admission. Late applications (received after February 1st) will be considered on a space available basis after the March 1st notification mail out. Upon matriculation, all College of Nursing students will be required to undergo a criminal background check and complete a drug screen.
Application Process APPLICATIONS FOR FALL 2010 Are Available Online Through the Office of Enrollment Management. All materials are due February 1, 2010. The Medical University of South Carolina offers applicants an admission process that is timely and easy to understand. Applications are available online only. You may apply online at the address below: http://www.musc.edu/es/application/nurs/index.html All forms originate from the Office of Enrollment Management. The telephone number is 843-792-8721. A nursing admissions specialist is available to answer questions from 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Monday through Friday.
The online University Application is available several months before the application deadline. Applicants are encouraged to file early to expedite processing. Criminal Background Check and Drug Screen - Once students are admitted and have paid their matriculation fee, all College of Nursing students must undergo a criminal background check and complete a nine panel drug screen prior to the beginning or coursework.
FAQs Why should I apply to the MUSC College of Nursing?
The College of Nursing is an integral part of the Medical University of South Carolina, which is the only academic health science center in the state. We are widely recognized for providing a supportive learning environment that has a low student to faculty ratio, expert faculty and preceptors as well as highly successful complex clinical settings. How does an online program differ from one that is campus-based?
The integrity of our doctoral coursework, mentoring, and interaction with faculty and students is preserved in our online doctoral program through the use of synchronous and asynchronous technology. The only thing that differs between an online and campus-based program is the method through which access is achieved – through advanced technology and yearly Residency programs. What is special about the Medical University of South Carolina?
MUSC is an academic health sciences center ranked within the Top 100 in the nation for receipt of federal funding. With a focus on Translational Science - bench to bedside to community - nursing plays a critical role in transforming health care within the state and nation. With numerous funded research centers and special initiatives, the possibility for interprofessional collaboration to nurture student projects is tremendous! What is the difference between a DNP and a PhD?
The DNP Program will prepare expert nurse clinicians. The purpose of the program is to prepare graduates who will practice nursing at the highest clinical level. It is commensurate with practice doctorates offered by other professions, including dentistry (DDS), medicine (MD), and pharmacy (PharmD) among others. For more information about the DNP please access: http://www.aacn.nche.edu/DNP/index.htm. The PhD in Nursing Program prepares nurse researchers/scientists. It is the highest degree awarded in academia.
Comparison of the DNP and PhD in Nursing Programs| Characteristic | DNP Degree Program | PhD in Nursing Program | | Objectives | The practice of clinical nursing at the highest level | The conduct of research for the advancement of nursing science | | Curricular Emphasis | Analytical methods for evidence-based practice, organizational and systems leadership and management, and the translation of research to improve practice | Theoretical, methodological, and analytic approaches to discovery, testing, application and dissemination of new knowledge | | Program Outcome | Nurse practitioner, nurse administrator, nurse educator in clinical practice or professional education settings; eligibility for national certification examination | Nurse scientist in an academic or research-intensive settings | | Final scholarly product | Evidence-based, population-level practice, health, or policy improvement project | Original Research | Ratner, 2007, p.33 What is the focus of your DNP program? The DNP program consists of three post-baccalaureate clinical specializations which include adult, pediatric and family nurse practitioner and a post-master's option for advanced practice nurses. A DNP student may elect to take education courses as well. Who would be a good match for your program? We seek to admit current and future clinical nurse leaders who bring diverse interests and experiences to our program. Alignment with faculty interests is key to establishing the necessary guidance for successful completion of the program. How long will it take me to achieve the DNP? The student with a Masters in Nursing can complete the DNP program in two to four years of part-time study. Students entering with a BSN will take three years of full-time and five years of part-time study. All work applied toward the DNP must be completed within eight years of initial enrollment in the program. DNP level coursework may be transferred, pending approval after admission. Full and part-time plans of study exist for Post-BSN and part-time only for Post- MSN entry. What is the access to faculty, preceptors, and technology support? Online students will have access to College of Nursing faculty and advisors through established “office hours” when synchronous communication can occur via videoconferencing, email, or telephone. Faculty and students may chose to make additional arrangements to meet. Students at a distance can use regional experts as preceptors. Technology support is available Monday - Friday via pager, email or phone. Can I receive financial aid? Several avenues are open to students seeking support for their doctoral education. See information for applying for financial aid.
 | | Robin L. Bissinger, PhD, RNC, NNP
Director of Graduate Programs
Associate Professor |
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For more information, please contact:  | | Mardi G. Long, MEd
Director of Student and Alumni Affairs
Telephone: (843) 792-6683
Fax: (843) 792-9258
longm@musc.edu |
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About the College
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Effective November 1, Teresa Kelechi will assume the role of Department Chair. Employed at MUSC for 22 years, Teresa joined the College of Nursing faculty in 2001. She is a board certified gerontological clinical nurse specialist and a certified wound care nurse. Teresa takes over the reins of Department Chair from Elizabeth Erkel who will retire at the end of the year.
