Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Degree Program

The Department of Nursing at California State University, Bakersfield is pleased to offer the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Degree Program. The DNP program has two subprograms: A Family Nurse Practitioner program (DNP-FNP) and a Master of Science in Nursing to the Doctor of Nursing Practice (MSN-DNP).

DNP Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

The program learning outcomes for both Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Programs, DNP-FNP and MSN-DNP programs, are to produce graduates who are able to:

1. Synthesize and integrate scientific knowledge from nursing and other disciplines into clinical judgment and diagnostic reasoning in healthcare practices as the basis for the highest level of nursing practice.
2. Design, deliver, manage, and evaluate comprehensive person-centered care using evidence-based and best practices within a variety of contexts, with respect for diversity and social determinants of health unique to the individual.
3. Engage in effective partnerships across the healthcare delivery continuum to promote culturally competent practices, increase health promotion and disease prevention, and advance equitable population health policy. 
4. Generate, integrate, and disseminate evidence-based practice and research that integrates nursing science and knowledge to improve health and transform healthcare.
5. Improve quality and safety through both system effectiveness and individual performance using scientific evidence.
6. Collaborate with the interprofessional team and community of interest to optimize safe, effective person-centered, and population-centered care.
7. Demonstrate innovative organizational and systems leadership across the health care continuum to improve health outcomes.
8. Utilize informatics and communication technology to influence decision-making processes in delivering safe, quality healthcare.
9. Support the interprofessional healthcare team as an equal partner and adhere to ethical principles by providing unique nursing perspectives and professional attributes.
10. Engage in activities and self-reflection that foster lifelong learning, and support a sustainable progression toward holistic well-being, professional and interpersonal maturity, and robust leadership capacity.

DNP Program Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Student learning outcomes for both Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Programs, DNP-FNP and MSN-DNP, are students’ abilities to:

1. Assess, analyze, evaluate, and manage complex health environments serving diverse populations to improve patient and population health outcomes using current and emerging best practices.
2. Advance clinical scholarship and contribute to the nursing science to inform clinical and system decisions incorporating professional values and ethical principles.
3. Support and improve patient care and health care systems using clinical practice models, health policy, informatics, and organizational leadership skills.
4. Advocate for health promotion and disease prevention, population health initiatives, and evidence-based health policy through stakeholder and interprofessional collaboration.
5. Integrate scientific theory, teaching and learning strategies, and clinical expertise to contribute to the advancement of nursing profession through lifelong learning.

Holistic Admissions Statement

California State University Bakersfield Department of Nursing utilizes a holistic and inclusive review process for admission to the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. Applicants to the program are evaluated based on their unique experiences alongside traditional measures of academic achievement like grade point average (GPA) and standardized test scores. We believe the combination of this broad range of factors reflect the applicant’s academic readiness that will more likely lead to a successful outcome. Through the holistic admission process we hope to have a diverse class of students with the background, qualities, and skills needed to be successful nursing professionals who are ready to meet the needs of diverse patient populations.

The holistic admission process involves appraisal of the applicant’s GPA and answers to questionnaire detailing the life experience, community service, personal attributes and strengths that would support admission to the program.  Applications will be evaluated by an admission committee composed of faculty from the graduate program through a blinded process.

Master of Science in Nursing to the Doctor of Nursing Practice (MSN-DNP) Program

Program Description

The purpose of the MSN-DNP Program is to meet the emerging educational and scholarly standards for advanced nursing practice. This four-semester program is designed for master’s prepared Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), including Nurse Practitioners (NPs), Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs), Nurse Anesthetists and Nurse Midwives, who are seeking the terminal degree in nursing discipline and to be prepared for autonomous clinical practice and interprofessional leadership at the highest level.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet the following minimum eligibility requirements to be considered for the MSN-DNP program:

1. Be a graduate of an accredited nursing program with an earned Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree.
2. Meet CSUB graduate admission requirements (https://www.csub.edu/graduate-admissions/admission).
3. Be in good standing at the last college/university attended.
4. Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 in overall graduate course work.  (Applicants who attended a program that issued pass or fail grades for all classes may not be a competitive applicant).
5. Hold a current registered nurse license from the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN), unencumbered, unrestricted, with no disciplinary action pending or imposed.
6. Hold an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) national certification.
7. Have one-year full-time experience in advanced practice role.
8. The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is not required.
9. Preference will be given to applicants who reside in the CSUB Service Area; have previous experience serving underserved and/or rural populations; or have experience in primary care setting in advanced practice role.

To be considered for admission, a prospective student must submit a complete application with all required documentation during the application period.  All eligible applications are reviewed by the graduate admission committee using a holistic and inclusive review process.

Post Acceptance Requirements

Upon admission to the program, accepted students will be required to complete a background check and drug test, attend a mandatory orientation, and maintain documentation required for annual clinical clearance. Additional costs will apply.

Course List

Code	Title	Units
DNP Core Courses (10)
NURS 6410	Scholarly Writing & Grand Development	2
NURS 6420	Integrative Healing Practice and Self-Care	2
NURS 6430	Biostatistics and Epidemiology	3
NURS 6440	Population and Global Health	3
NURS 6450	Informatics and Telehealth	3
NURS 6460	Leadership Role and Interprofessional Collaboration	3
NURS 6470	Evidence-Based Practice & Quality Improvement	3
NURS 6480	Human Diversity & Healthcare Ethics	3
NURS 6490	Healthcare Economics and Policy	3
NURS 6810	Curriculum Strategies in Nursing Education	3
DNP Project Courses (4)
NURS 6710	DNP Project I: Concept Development	2
NURS 6720	DNP Project II: Proposal	2
NURS 6730	DNP Project III: Implementation	2
NURS 6740	DNP Project IV: Evaluation & Dissemination	2
MSN-DNP Only
NURS 6900	DNP Practicum	12
Total Units		48

Student Classification

Classified Graduate Standing

For classified status, the student must meet all the eligibility and admission requirements.

Conditionally Classified Graduate Standing

An applicant may be admitted as a Conditionally Classified Graduate Student if, in the judgment of the graduate admissions committee, the applicant has a potential for successful completion of all the conditions specified by the faculty for admission as a Classified Graduate Student and potential for successful completion of all the requirements for

the graduate program. Upon satisfactory completion of all conditions specified by the faculty, the student’s status will be administratively changed to Classified Graduate Student.

Advancement to Candidacy

The DNP curricula are organized as cohort-based programs. Students will progress in the program as a cohort. Students are required to follow the program requirements and policies set forth for the DNP program. The DNP student must earn a 3.0 or better cumulative grade point average for all DNP courses taken to remain in good standing in the program.

Doctoral Qualifying Assessment

A Doctoral Qualifying Assessment is required for all DNP students. Students must meet all requirements listed below to Advance to Candidacy.

• Demonstrate appropriate progression toward the completion of the DNP program      coursework requirements.
• Maintain a 3.0 or better cumulative grade point average for all DNP courses taken.
• Demonstrate progression toward 1000 hours of post baccalaureate clinical     practice.
• Consistent entries of exemplary work in the DNP Portfolio.
• Complete N6720 DNP Project II: Proposal.
• CSUB IRB approval for the proposed DNP project.
• Complete oral defense of the DNP project proposal.

Petition for Advancement to Candidacy

Students will file a petition for Advancement to Candidacy with the Department of Nursing DNP Program Director when they have met the all the requirements in the Doctoral Qualifying Assessment. Students will be advanced to Candidate Status after their petition has been approved.

Students shall complete all requirements for the degree within five years of matriculation into the doctoral program. Extension of up to two years may be made only when the student meets all the following criteria: the student is in good standing; the extension is warranted by compelling circumstances; and the student demonstrates current knowledge of research and practice in advanced nursing practice (Title 5, California Code of Regulations).

Doctoral Project

According to Title 5, California Code of Regulations, a DNP project should focus on a significant nursing practice issue and is expected to contribute to an improvement in professional practices, policy, or patient outcomes. It should be a rigorous, systemic, and scientific endeavor that demonstrates the student’s mastery of evidence-based practice at the doctoral level. The written component of the doctoral project should be prepared using the stylistic and grammatical manner of the American Psychological Association (APA). It will be organized into five chapters. 

• Chapter 1 – Background and Purpose of Project: Consists of the statement of the problem or purpose of the project. The development of a research question or hypothesis is not necessary; however, a clear purpose of the intended study should be developed as it relates to a current healthcare concern.  A theoretical framework is woven into the development of purpose of the project and support of the project need is clearly stated.
• Chapter 2 – Literature Review: Consists of a thorough, but focused, review of the literature to critically analyze the evidence to provide a balanced view.
• Chapter 3- Methodology: Consists of a detailed plan by which specific research activities will be conducted. The methodology must be responsive to the research question or purpose of the study. It should describe the implementation of the methodology to carry-out the doctoral project.
• Chapter 4 – Analysis and Results: Discussion and presentation of the results or findings.
• Chapter 5 – Conclusion and Implication: A discussion of the project outcomes and conclusions. Included should be limitations of this study, recommendations for further study, and the relative effects on healthcare improvement that could be further advanced related to the doctoral project goals.