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October 22, 2012
From: Bobby Lowery, PhD; Director of DNP Implementation
To: ECU Graduate Curriculum Committee
Subject: Executive Summary DNP Curriculum Proposal
Dear Dr. Decker, Chair ECU Graduate Curriculum Committee
The purpose of this memorandum is to provide an executive summary of courses and syllabi
proposed for a 36 credit hour, post-master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice Program. The proposed courses
and curriculum are recommended with unanimous support by the DNP curriculum task force members,
the College of Nursing Graduate Curriculum Committee and the graduate faculty of the College of
Nursing as of 10/18/12. The assigned new course numbers are available and their use has been approved
by the Office of the Registrar. The course numbers for twelve courses beginning with NURS 8266 and
ending with NURS 8277 have been entered into banner with a “Reserved” status, pending approval
through the appropriate channels. The proposed courses and curriculum have been developed in
consultation and review by nationally recognized experts, Dr. Mary Collins, Dr. Shirlee Drayton-Brooks
and Dr. Julie Novak.
The curriculum requirements for the DNP are driven by The AACN Essentials of Doctoral Education for
Advanced Nursing Practice. These requirements include content on scientific underpinnings for practice,
organizational and systems leadership for quality improvement and systems thinking, clinical scholarship
and analytical methods for evidence-based practice, information systems/technology and patient care
technology for the improvement and transformation of health care, health care policy for advocacy in
health care, interprofessional collaboration for improving patient and population health outcomes, clinical
prevention and population health for improving the nation’s health, and advanced nursing practice.
The College of Nursing proposes to provide the DNP initially as an online 36-semester hour post-master’s
program of study for advanced practice nurses. Intentional campus requirements and group learning will
serve as a foundational component of the DNP program of study. A minimum of 12 scholarly practicum
credit hours are divided over 4-5 semesters depending on capstone project complexity. In order to achieve
the DNP competencies, students must complete a minimum of 1,000 hours of practice post-baccalaureate
as part of a supervised academic program. Practice hours earned in accredited MSN/APRN programs are
included in the total of the minimum required hours. Students may enroll in either full-time or part-time
programs of study, completing their degree requirements in four or 6 semesters, respectively. The postBSN to DNP curriculum will be developed and vetted through the appropriate channels at a later date.
The DNP program will utilize faculty with DNP and/or PhD preparation with an emphasis on those
prepared as advanced practice nurses. These faculty members are well-versed and current in research,
evidence-based practice, economics and health policy. The college will seek appropriate accreditation for
the DNP program. The proposed curriculum is based on accreditation standard guidelines.
The DNP degree focuses on developing experts in translating research findings into clinical practice
rather than creating new knowledge. The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculty which set
standards for Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP) and Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
programs has been particularly forceful in identifying the DNP as entry level for advanced practice by
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2015. The nurse anesthesia specialty will now require nurse anesthetists to have the DNP degree to be
eligible to take their national certification exam by 2025.
In summary, the DNP program is critical for the ongoing success of the outstanding graduate programs in
the College of Nursing and is consistent with the mission and strengths that are a part of the tradition of
excellence exhibited in our college. East Carolina University has requested authorization to establish this
critical program for advanced practice nursing at the doctoral level. The DNP curriculum committee
respectfully requests your review and authorization to move the attached post-masters DNP course
proposals through the appropriate channels for approval.
Respectfully submitted,
Bobby Lowery, PhD
Director of DNP Implementation
Attachments: Post-Master’s DNP Templates (FT & PT), Course Proposals for NURS 8266, 8267, 8268,
8269, 8270, 8271, 8272, 8273, 8274, 8275, 8276 & 8277; Course Number reservation