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.
Sign Up to Receive Program Updates
Interested in applying to our DNP program? Fill out our interest form and we’ll alert you when information sessions have been added.
Program Outcomes
Standards for nursing education have been established by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (2021). In the seminal document: “The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education” ten domains of knowledge and skill provide a framework for education for both entry level and advanced practice nursing. Underpinned by this framework, the Penn DNP Program endeavors to prepare leaders to identify and meet the health needs of society. The Penn School of Nursing is internationally recognized as a leader in educating and preparing the next generation of nurses and health care leaders to address these pressing health care needs in an ever-changing world with unprecedented complexity. Penn DNP graduates are prepared as practice scholars who integrate evidence and practice while inspiring and leading a culture of inquiry and action in their everyday work. Penn has developed the DNP program with a specific aim to prepare highly impactful leaders in practice and executive leadership.
At completion of the DNP program, a student will demonstrate the competency to effect advance high-quality, equitable and accessible health care by:
- Developing ways to improve health and health care outcomes through translating research, evaluating evidence-based practice, and implementing innovative ideas.
- Applying project management acumen and data analytics to improve outcomes for patient/family, systems, or community-based care.
- Disseminating practice knowledge that contributes to nursing and interprofessional scholarship.
A set of courses that constitute the core elements of the DNP curriculum and underpin successful achievement of the DNP program outcomes include:
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:
- N7890 Principles & Practice of Quality Improvement and Patient Safety
- N5400 Current Issues in Health and Social Policy
- N5000 Introduction to Principles and Methods of Epidemiology
- N7450 Data Analytics
- N6510 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.