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Advanced Nursing Practice (Innovation Leadership), DNP

Advanced Nursing Practice (Innovation Leadership), DNP

Academic programs / Graduate degrees / Advanced Nursing Practice (Innovation Leadership), DNP

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Administration, Management, leadership, nursing

Program description
Degree awarded: DNP  Advanced Nursing Practice (Innovation Leadership)

The DNP in advanced nursing practice with a concentration in innovation leadership is an advanced nursing practice degree. This program is designed to take the student's thinking and career to the next level by leveraging innovation theory, complexity science and the application of the latest evidence to advanced health system outcomes.

This is a hybrid program, a blend of in-person and online learning. Students are required to travel to campus for orientation once and for immersions two or three times per semester.

Courses are designed for all clinical leaders, including educators, executives and informaticists, who want to create sustainable health care in the communities they serve. Students learn how to optimize human and social capital, create measurable impact on their organizations, and foster environments of excellence through innovation. The program develops graduates who leverage resources, build effective organizational cultures, and develop professional relationships for high impact. Practicing faculty with systems-based experience teach the coursework and residency experiences, enriching learning.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice program engages students to meet doctoral-level competencies in systems-level thinking, complexity science, quality and safety, evidence-based practice, and the development of a doctoral project within a partner organization to improve outcomes at the patient, provider or health care system level. Students are educated as leaders at the highest level of nursing practice to translate research into practice, lead in multidisciplinary teams, and engage in health care policy and advocacy to improve patient outcomes. Acknowledged by graduates as a life-changing experience, this program is one of deep personal discovery and diverse professional enrichment. Students are part of a rich social fabric of highly engaged, intellectually astute and practically sound nursing leaders who are changing health care for the nation.

Los Angeles location
Select courses are offered through in-person instruction at the ASU California Center -- Broadway. Students should consult their advisor and schedule of classes for additional information before selecting this campus.

At a glance
Degree requirements

84 credit hours including the required applied project course (DNP 716)

Required Core (13 credit hours)
DNP 704 Principles of Evidence-Based Care in Advanced Practice (4)
DNP 705 Health Care Outcomes Management (3)
DNP 708 Systems Thinking in a Complex Healthcare Environment (3)
DNP 709 Individual and Innovation Leadership in Healthcare Practice (3)

Concentration (9 credit hours)
DNP 713 Analysis of Organizational Cultures in Health Care (3)
DNP 714 Professional Relationships in Healthcare (3)
NUR 640 Integrative Theories of Innovation Health Care (3)

Other Requirements (23 credit hours)
DNP 679 Biostatistics: Principals of Statistical Inference (3)
DNP 703 Innovation in Communication-Scholarly and Professional Writing (2)
DNP 711 Healthcare Policy and Innovation (3)
DNP 712 Clinical Residency and Management (12)
DNP 715 Dynamics and Principles of Information in Health Care (3)

Electives and Research (36 credit hours)

Culminating Experience (3 credit hours)
DNP 716 Leadership of Innovation in Health Care (3)

Additional Curriculum Information
Completion of an evidence-based doctoral applied project focused on a clinical issue relevant to advanced practice nursing is required.

The American Nurses Credentialing Center has recommended a minimum of 1,000 postbaccalaureate practicum hours for all students completing a nurse practitioner doctoral program. This program includes 1,125 practicum hours, exceeding the ANCC requirement.

For electives or research, students should see the academic unit for the approved course list. Other coursework may be used with the approval of the academic unit.

When approved by the student's supervisory committee and the Graduate College, this program allows up to 30 credit hours from a previously awarded master's degree to be used for this program.

Other requirement coursework may be substituted with approval of the academic unit if the student is in an approved concurrent program.

Admission requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's and a master's degree in nursing from a nationally recognized, regionally accredited institution.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

All applicants must submit:

  1. graduate admission application and application fee
  2. official transcripts
  3. three professional letters of recommendation
  4. resume
  5. goal statement
  6. admission essay
  7. proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency, per the Graduate College requirement and all requirements for the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools.

A current unencumbered RN license in the state in which the student plans to do clinical practicums is required. All students are also required to have an unencumbered Arizona RN license or an unencumbered compact state RN license as mandated by the Arizona State Board of Nursing. The RN license must remain unencumbered throughout enrollment in any nursing program.

An interview with program faculty is required.

Health and safety requirements include passing disposition on a background clearance and satisfactory completion of a substance screen.

An admission examination is not required.

Applications are reviewed on a space-available basis after the priority deadline.

Tuition information
When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.
Application deadlines
SessionModalityDeadlineType
Session A/CIn Person 12/15Priority
Career opportunities

Graduates of the innovation leadership concentration of the advanced nursing practice doctorate have the knowledge and training to change or create sustainable health care in their community.

Career examples:

  • chief executive officer
  • chief nurse executive
  • clinical director
Contact information
What are accelerated programs?
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.

3 year programs

These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.

Accelerated master's

These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).

Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
What are concurrent programs?
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
What are joint programs?
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.

What constitutes a new program?
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the “New Programs” option.
What are online programs?
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
What is WRGP (Western Regional Graduate Program)?
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.

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