Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Penn Nursing has been a leader in the science and practice of nursing since 1886. Being at the forefront of advancing science, delivering solutions, and shaping health policy and practice, the goal of the DNP program is developing leaders in practice innovation. The DNP program prepares professionals by providing education in the translation of research, implementation of evidence-based practice, project management, and leadership development.
Program Outcomes
Core outcomes are delineated in The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice (2006) and regardless of specialty or functional focus are fundamental to the student’s pursuit of DNP education. At the completion of this advanced level of nursing education, Penn Nursing DNP graduates will:
- Lead in putting new ideas into practice or putting existing ideas into practice in new and different ways for specialized advanced nursing care
- Apply project management skills and data analytics to address improvements in patient, systems, and/or community outcomes of value
- Disseminate new knowledge that contributes to practice scholarship
Student learning outcomes (course objectives) in the following foundational core courses help students to achieve outcomes through mastery of content that all DNP students are expected to attain across all three tracks at Penn Nursing:
- N789 Principles & Practice of Quality Improvement and Patient Safety
- N540 Current Issues in Health and Social Policy
- N500 Introduction to Principles and Methods of Epidemiology
- N745 Data Analytics
- N651 Health Care Informatics
Penn Nursing offers a post-BSN entry DNP program for Nurse Anesthesia (DNP-NA), and has two post-MSN entry tracks: Post-Master’s DNP (PM-DNP) and Post-Master’s DNP in Executive Leadership (DNP-EL). For the DNP-NA track, additional courses in the curriculum are designed to prepare students for the full scope of nurse anesthesia practice in diverse clinical settings. The plans of study for the post-MSN entry DNP graduates support application of knowledge and the achievement of enhanced skills for leading practice change in health systems and designing important quality improvement initiatives.
Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nurse Anesthesia (DNP-NA)
The Post-BSN entry DNP program for Nurse Anesthesia (DNP-NA) is designed to prepare graduates for the full scope of nurse anesthesia practice, meeting the essentials for DNP education and additional APRN competencies and standards.
Post-Master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (PM-DNP) Track
Our Post-Masters Doctor of Nursing Practice is for all advanced practice nurse specialties who will practice at the most advanced level of nursing.
Doctor of Nursing Practice in Executive Leadership (DNP-EL) Track
The Post-Master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice in Executive Leadership (DNPEL) program develops master’s-prepared nurses who already have leadership experience with the executive-level skills to lead systems and organizational change.
Upcoming Admissions Events
Visit our Admissions Events page to register for any upcoming events, and to view informative recordings of past events.
How to apply:
For details on our DNP application processes, see the Doctoral Admissions pages on our website.
Questions?
Visit our FAQs page or email us at admissions@nursing.upenn.edu.