Mar 28, 2024  
2011-2012 Graduate Catalog 
    
2011-2012 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Nursing, D.N.P. (Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Concentration)


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Programs A – Z

General Program Information


 

Graduate School Contact:

Rene Palumbo; palumbo@etsu.edu; 423-439-6158

Dr. Kathleen Rayman, Ph.D., Director of Graduate Programs, Clinical Nurse Leader Graduate Coordinator

207 Roy S. Nicks Hall
Box 70629
(423) 439-4589
e-mail: raymank@etsu.edu

Dr. Helene Holbrook, DNP, Doctor of Nursing Graduate Co-Coordinator
112 Roy S. Nicks Hall
Box 70629
(423) 439-4521
e-mail: holbrookh@etsu.edu

Faculty:

Sally S. Blowers; Sandy Calhoun; Janne Dunham-Taylor; Joellen B. Edwards; Masoud Ghaffari; Lee Glenn; Nancy Granberry; Patricia A. Hayes; Helene Holbrook; Susan Hossler; Frances Jackson; Sharon Loury; Jo-Ann S. Marrs; Peggy McConnell; Wendy Nehring; Carolyn Merriman; Tamera Pearson; Kathleen M. Rayman; Judith Rice; Jennifer Stewart-Glenn; Sharon Trumbley; Pearl Ume-Nwago; Patricia Vanhook; Joy E. Wachs; Jennie Walls; Florence Weierbach.

Degree Requirements


BSN to DNP

FNP concentration: 83 credit hours/1000 clock hours
ANP/GNP concentration: 84 credit hours/1000 clock hours
PMHNP concentration: 81 credit hours/1000 clock hours
Executive Leadership concentration: 79 credit hours/1000 clock hours

 

MSN to DNP

All concentrations: 40 credit hours/500 clock hours

 

Specific courses are required of students who plan to take a national certification examination. All students are required to complete a Capstone Project.

Progression Standards


  1. Students in graduate nursing programs must meet the requirements of the School of Graduate Studies to remain in good standing. An overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (B) or better must be maintained.
  2. In addition, a nursing student must achieve a “C” (2.0) or better in every required course in the graduate nursing program. Policies of the School of Graduate Studies for progression will apply.
  3. If a student’s cumulative grade point average falls below 3.0, she/he will be placed on academic probation the following semester. If the student does not achieve a 3.0 cumulative grade point average at the conclusion of one probationary semester, the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies and the Associate Dean for Academic Programs in the College of Nursing will determine if the student should be dismissed from graduate study or continued on academic probation. No student will be allowed more than two probationary semesters, whether consecutive or cumulative. At the end of a second probationary semester, a student whose cumulative grade point average is still below 3.0 will be dismissed from graduate study.
  4. Students whose performance results in a GPA so far below 3.0 as to make it mathematically impossible to attain an overall GPA of 3.0 after one semester may be subject to dismissal without a probationary term.
  5. An incomplete grade (“I”) indicates that the student was passing the course at the end of the semester, but due to circumstances beyond the student’s control, was unable to complete the course work for which the “I” is assigned. The “I” grade cannot be used to allow a student to do additional work to raise a deficient grade or to repeat a course. An “I” grade must be removed no later than one calendar year from the time the grade is awarded. Time extension requests for removal of an “I” grade must be submitted to and approved by the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies before the allotted time expires. An “I” grade not removed under the guidelines in the Graduate Catalog will be converted to an “F.”
  6. Students who wish to change from part-time to full-time status must submit a written request to the College of Nursing’s Office of Student Services. Request will be approved on an individual basis, taking into consideration the student’s academic performance and available clinical slots.

 

Nursing D.N.P.


The Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) is designed to produce leaders in nursing and health care practice. Specific objectives for the program are to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and values to:

  1. Integrate specialized knowledge, theories, and research from nursing science and related disciplines for application to nursing practice;
  2. Assume leadership roles as advanced clinicians, nurse educators, and/or administrators;
  3. Demonstrate accountability in nursing practice according to accepted standards of patient care and safety;
  4. Use information technology to translate research findings into evidence-based practice at the individual and health system levels;
  5. Affect desired change by developing and implementing policies at different levels of the health care system and with different constituencies;
  6. Provide multidisciplinary leadership through analysis of critical indicators within health care systems to provide optimal client care and safety; and
  7. Demonstrate advanced knowledge and skill in planning and delivery of health management.

 

Program Admission Requirements


Applicants seeking admission to the D.N.P. program at ETSU must fulfill all the requirements for admission to both the School of Graduate Studies and the College of Nursing.

The School of Graduate Studies requires that all students submit the following materials:

  • A completed application with payment of nonrefundable application fee;
  • Official transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate coursework;
  • A written essay.

The College of Nursing requirements for admission to the D.N.P. program include:

  1. A bachelor (B.S.N. to D.N.P. applicants) or master’s (post-master’s D.N.P. applicants) degree or equivalency for international applicants in nursing from a nationally accredited nursing program or comparably recognized non-U.S. institution with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale;
  2. Required Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores for applicants with cumulative grade point average less than 3.2;
  3. Certification (for post-master’s D.N.P. applicants) in the selected nursing specialty for the concentration (for instance, FNP certification for the FNP concentration); at least one year of experience in a nursing administration role for the Executive Leadership concentration;
  4. Licensure in the United States as a registered nurse and eligibility for licensure in Tennessee or equivalency for international students;
  5. At least two years of full-time work experience (or equivalent) in nursing as a registered nurse;
  6. Three letters of recommendation: one from the applicant’s current (most recent) supervisor, one from a faculty member who has worked directly with the applicant during previous academic study, and one from an individual selected by the applicant;
  7. Completion of an interview;
  8. Completion of a writing sample at the time of interview describing a problem the applicant has identified in practice that the applicant might explore in the D.N.P. program;
  9. A cover letter expressing the applicant’s personal goals for doctoral study; and
  10. A resume or vita.

The completed application form and fee, official transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate work, essay, documentation of nursing licensure in the United States, letters of recommendation, and resume or vita must be submitted to the School of Graduate Studies. International students must also forward the additionally required documentation to the School. Applications submitted after the application deadline will not be considered. Application deadlines are as follows: BSN to DNP students are admitted to the fall term only with submission of all materials due no later than February 1. MSN to DNP students are admitted to the spring term only with submission of all materials due no later than October 1.

The personal interview and time for completing the writing sample will be scheduled by the College of Nursing’s D.N.P. Admissions Committee.

Factors given consideration in the admission decision include:

  • Previous grade point average (GPA);
  • Clarity of the applicant’s writing ability;
  • Professional work experience and achievements;
  • Professional honors and awards;
  • Interest in rural and underserved population groups; and
  • Quality of references/recommendations.

The D.N.P. Admissions Committee may recommend admission of a promising applicant who has not met all the admission standards on a conditional basis.

Requirements for Completion of Degree


Students in the D.N.P. program must comply with all policies of the ETSU School of Graduate Studies regarding retention, progression, and graduation. In addition, before entrance into clinical courses, students must

  • be licensed or authorized to practice in Tennessee or a compact state,
  • demonstrate evidence of professional malpractice insurance in the amount of $1,000,000/$3,000,000 coverage (as a nurse practitioner student),
  • have current CPR certification and knowledge of universal precautions,
  • comply with the clinical requirements of the College of Nursing, and
  • complete a criminal background check per College of Nursing policy.

A student may be asked to present evidence of physical or mental health at any time during the nursing program, and continuance in the program may be contingent upon this evidence. Additionally, students are required to provide their own transportation to clinical sites.

Prior to program:


Not included in Program of Study - must be completed within ten years of enrollment in the first research course.

Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Concentration: 41 Credit Hours, 500 Practica Clock Hours


Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Doctoral Concentration Course: 12 credit hours


Residency, Internship, and Capstone Courses: 10 credit hours


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Programs A – Z