Director of Graduate Nursing
Jessica Fitzgerald, DNP, RN, CCRN
PH 402.552.6089
[email protected]

Introduction

Graduates of Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) program will have expanded knowledge and expertise required of advance practice nurses to provide leadership through collaborative and innovative decision making in an evidence-based practice environment. Graduates will demonstrate excellence in interdisciplinary, client-centered communication, translation of research, and implementation of evidence-based change to promote quality health care outcomes. Graduates will have a working knowledge of the processes involved in the development of state, national and professional policies governing health care.

We offer three (3) nurse practitioner options: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care, Family Nurse, and Psychiatric-Mental Health. Each specialty in the online nursing program can be tailored for you to meet your career goals.

Nurse practitioner students must pass a certification examination in order to practice. At present, there are two (2) certifying bodies: the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB). 

ANCC certifies Family NPs, Adult-Gerontology NPs, and Psychiatric-Mental Health NPs. AANP certifies Family NPs.

Program Specific End of Program Student Learning Outcomes (EPSLOs)

Upon completion of the DNP degree, graduates will demonstrate the ability to: 

  • Apply evolving evidence-based practice, clinical judgement, and leadership to obtain optimal health promotion and disease management outcomes for individual patients, systems, and populations. (Critical Thinking) 
  • Demonstrate leadership through collaboration to inspire innovative ideas to improve health care outcomes while fostering self-reflection, ethical practice, and lifelong learning. (Professionalism)   
  • Translate research into practice utilizing interprofessional collaboration, clinical judgment, and leadership skills to engage with diverse individuals and interprofessional teams to improve patient and population health outcomes. (Communication) 
  • Utilize and evaluate health care information technology systems and processes for communication, decision-making, management and interdisciplinary collaboration to improve the quality and safety of health care delivery. (Technology) 
  • Analyze health care delivery models using scientific data to develop, implement and evaluate health promotion and disease prevention strategies to address gaps in care for population health, advocate for social justice and ensure equitable and inclusive care for diverse populations. (Diversity)

Admission Policies

Enrollment in Clarkson College degree programs is limited through a selective admissions process. Admission policies and procedures are available from: the Enrollment and Advising office, College website or Academic Policies & Procedures section (AD-1).

Required Courses for Doctor of Nursing Practice: BSN to DNP Options

Major Specialty-Option Courses in Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

The goal of this program option is to educate nurses who wish to become advance practice providers promoting health and providing care to adult and gerontological patients in acute care settings. Throughout this program option, the learner will develop an advanced nursing practice that encompasses concepts and theories related to nursing and health care, and will assume the role of educator, referral agent and advocate while providing care within an evolving health care system.

Courses Semester Hours
IPE 301 - Interprofessional Education 0
GRD 798 - Essentials of Scholarly Writing 1
GRD 847 - Applied Statistics 3
◊ DNP 915 - Outcomes of Healthcare in a Global Society 3
DNP 916 - Healthcare Informatics and Data Analytics 3
DNP 918 - Organizational Systems and Behaviors 2
DNP 919 - Healthcare Policy and Law 3
DNP 932 - Leadership 3
DNP 944 - Biostatistics/Epidemiology 2
DNP 945 - Healthcare Economics and Financial Management 3
DNP 948 - Evidence-Based Practice 3
DNP 960 - DNP Scholarly Project I 2
DNP 961 - DNP Scholarly Project II 2
DNP 962 - DNP Scholarly Project III 2
NRS 807 - Theories and Concepts of Advanced Practice Roles 3
NRS 805 - Application and Evaluation of Theory in Nursing 2
NRS 830 - Advanced Physical Assessment 3
NRS 832 - Primary Healthcare I 3
NRS 833 - Foundations of Adult-Gerontologic Healthcare 2
◊ NRS 834 - Advanced Nutrition 3
NRS 835 - Foundations of Psychiatric-Mental Health 2
NRS 836 - Pharmacology for Practitioners 3
NRS 838 - Advanced Pathophysiology 3
NRS 840 - Primary Care of Children and Adolescent 3
NRS 842 - Primary Care of Women 3
NRS 844 - Primary Healthcare II 3
NRS 852 - Family Nurse Practitioner Transition to Practice 2
Electives 4
Total Semester Hours 71

*The Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner curriculum is designed for singular progression through the clinical courses. Though the program may be completed online, students are required to attend an on-campus weekend for the specified clinical course (NRS 830). Only one clinical course may be taken at a time.

Major Specialty-Option Courses in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

The goal of this program option is to educate nurses who wish to become advance practice providers promoting health and providing care for patients in mental and/or behavioral health settings. The learner will engage in identifying key concepts and theories related to psychiatric-mental health nursing, strategies for communicating clearly with patients, and evidence-based treatment options or plans that meet the unique needs of each patient. The psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner takes on the roles of educator, communicator, and advocate while providing care within an evolving health care system.

Courses Semester Hours
IPE 301 - Interprofessional Education 0
GRD 798 - Essentials of Scholarly Writing 1
GRD 847 - Applied Statistics 3
◊ DNP 915 - Outcomes of Healthcare in a Global Society 3
DNP 916 - Healthcare Informatics and Data Analytics 3
DNP 918 - Organizational Systems and Behaviors 2
DNP 919 - Healthcare Policy and Law 3
DNP 932 - Leadership 3
DNP 944 - Biostatistics/Epidemiology 2
DNP 945 - Healthcare Economics and Financial Management 3
DNP 948 - Evidence-Based Practice 3
DNP 960 - DNP Scholarly Project I 2
DNP 961 - DNP Scholarly Project II 2
DNP 962 - DNP Scholarly Project III 2
NRS 807 - Theories and Concepts of Advanced Practice Roles 3
NRS 805 - Application and Evaluation of Theory in Nursing 2
NRS 830 - Advanced Physical Assessment 3
NRS 833 - Foundations of Adult-Gerontologic Healthcare 2
◊ NRS 834 - Advanced Nutrition 3
NRS 835 - Foundations of Psychiatric-Mental Health 2
NRS 836 - Pharmacology for Practitioners 3
NRS 838 - Advanced Pathophysiology 3
NRS 855 - Pharmacology for Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner 2
NRS 856 - Introduction to Psychiatric-Mental Health Concepts 3
NRS 857 - Application of Psychiatric-Mental Health Concepts 3
NRS 858 - Complex Psychiatric-Mental Health Concepts 3
NRS 859 - Advanced Psychiatric-Mental Health Concepts 3
NRS 860 - Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Transition to Practice 2
Electives 4
Total Semester Hours 73

*The Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner curriculum is designed for singular progression through the clinical courses. Though the program may be completed online, students are required to attend an on-campus weekend for the specified clinical course (NRS 830). Only one clinical course may be taken at a time.

Major Specialty-Option Courses in Family Nurse Practitioner

The goal of this program option is to educate nurses who wish to become advance practice providers promoting health and providing care of the individual and family in primary care settings. Throughout this program option, the learner will develop an advanced nursing practice that encompasses concepts and theories related to nursing and health care, as well as recognized and evidence-based care standards to deliver family-centered care. The family nurse practitioner (FNP) assumes the role of educator, referral agent and advocate while providing care within an evolving health care system.

Courses Semester Hours
IPE 301 - Interprofessional Education 0
GRD 798 - Essentials of Scholarly Writing 1
GRD 847 - Applied Statistics 3
◊ DNP 915 - Outcomes of Healthcare in a Global Society 3
DNP 916 - Healthcare Informatics and Data Analytics 3
DNP 918 - Organizational Systems and Behaviors 2
DNP 919 - Healthcare Policy and Law 3
DNP 932 - Leadership 3
DNP 944 - Biostatistics/Epidemiology 2
DNP 945 - Healthcare Economics and Financial Management 3
DNP 948 - Evidence-Based Practice 3
DNP 960 - DNP Scholarly Project I 2
DNP 961 - DNP Scholarly Project II 2
DNP 962 - DNP Scholarly Project III 2
NRS 807 - Theories and Concepts of Advanced Practice Roles 3
NRS 805 - Application and Evaluation of Theory in Nursing 2
NRS 830 - Advanced Physical Assessment 3
NRS 832 - Primary Healthcare I 3
NRS 833 - Foundations of Adult-Gerontologic Healthcare 2
◊ NRS 834 - Advanced Nutrition 3
NRS 835 - Foundations of Psychiatric-Mental Health 2
NRS 836 - Pharmacology for Practitioners 3
NRS 838 - Advanced Pathophysiology 3
NRS 840 - Primary Care of Children and Adolescent 3
NRS 842 - Primary Care of Women 3
NRS 844 - Primary Healthcare II 3
NRS 852 - Family Nurse Practitioner Transition to Practice 2
Electives 4
Total Semester Hours 71

*The Family Nurse Practitioner curriculum is designed for singular progression through the clinical courses. Though the program may be completed online, students are required to attend an on-campus weekend for the specified clinical course (NRS 830). Only one clinical course may be taken at one time.

Last updated: 06/30/2025