Doctor of Nursing Practice Program
About the DNP Program
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is offered as a full-time- or part-time program for individuals holding a BSN or MSN-CNL degree or MSN degree and an advanced practice degree. There are two semesters lasting 20 weeks and a shorter summer semester that some concentrations, or options require students to attend. Students are required to be on campus three times yearly for a week. A student's first two terms consist primarily of core courses, and the last two or more terms focus on courses in the student's option, as well as a resident practicum. Resident work is arranged by the student in conjunction with a UTHSC faculty member, and students typically complete the residency requirement in the area they currently live.
The length of the program depends on the student's qualifications and area of concentration. For example, the program length for a student entering with a BSN or MSN without advanced practice certification will take a minimum of 3 years to complete. The program length for a student entering with a MSN with a nurse practitioner certification will take a minimum 2 years to complete.
DNP Details
- Coursework is presented primarily online, with 3 weeks of required on-campus times yearly.
- Designed to offer students flexibility in determining their own living arrangements, schedule of study, and timing of engagement in coursework.
- On-campus time is for face-to-face meetings, classes, exams, seminars, discussion groups, etc.
- On-campus schedules will vary from term to term depending on classes and option.
DNP Options
DNP Program Outcomes
The DNP Program educates clinicians for leadership roles in a specialized area of advanced practice with an emphasis on:
- Philosophical, ethical, and scientific principles that provide the foundation for leadership in professional nursing care;
- Continued acquisition of knowledge and clinical skills in an area of advanced practice specialization;
- Analysis and examination of practice including completion of the Residency Project during the clinical residency year.
DNP graduates will likely seek practice leadership roles in a variety of settings:
- Management of quality initiatives
- Executives in healthcare organizations
- Directors of clinical programs
- Faculty positions responsible for clinical program delivery and clinical teaching
- Policy positions (legislatures, advocacy groups, volunteers)
- Entrepreneurs
- Numerous positions at the CDC and local/state health departments
DNP Outcomes
Students are assigned to work closely with a faculty advisor/mentor within the faculty advisor’s program of practice.
Upon completion of the DNP program the graduate will be able to:
- Demonstrate advanced levels of clinical judgment/scholarship in nursing practice;
- critically analyze complex clinical situations and practice systems;
- evaluate and apply conceptual models, theories, and research in order to improve health care of diverse populations;
- systematically investigate a clinically focused area of nursing in order to advance health care;
- analyze the social, economic, political, and policy components of health care systems which affect care planning and delivery;
- assume leadership roles in the development of clinical practice models, health policy, and standards of care;
- integrate professional values and ethical decision-making in advanced nursing practice.
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Contact Information
Wendy Likes, PhD, DNSc, APRN-Bc
Associate Professor, Associate Dean/Chair DNP
Department of Advanced Practice and Doctoral Studies
College of Medicine, Department Obstetrics & Gynecology
920 Madison, #952
Memphis, TN 38163
901-448-6144
wlikes@uthsc.edu
Lyniel Smith, MBA
DNP Coordinator
920 Madison Ave, # 941
Memphis, TN 38163
901-448-1938
lsmit132@uthsc.edu
