Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Southeastern Home > Future Students > Degrees and Special Programs > Degree Programs > index > Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Department

School of Nursing

College

College of Nursing and Health Sciences

Overview of the program

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is an advanced practice degree designed to prepare graduates at the highest level of nursing practice. Today's nursing practitioners provide complex care for patients and families in hospitals and community-based environments, design and evaluate nursing and healthcare systems, and serve as mentors and educators of nursing students. Southeastern Louisiana University DNP program builds upon the strong master's level advanced practice nursing and nurse executive tracks offered at Southeastern and the University of Louisiana in Lafayette (UL).

Strengths of the program

A partnership between Southeastern and UL Lafayette provides stand-alone but mutually supportive DNP programs. The partnership maximizes efficiencies through shared classes, library and other resources; utilizing distance learning technologies to increase access to students throughout the state. The DNP program faculty are recognized for their expertise within the university, as well as throughout the health care community at local, state and national levels. Our program offers study plan options to accommodate working advanced practice nurses and leaders so that they can pursue a degree without leaving their job.

Preparing for a job in the program

If you currently hold a Master of Science in Nursing and have experience as a nurse practitioner or nurse executive, you are eligible for Southeastern's post-MSN DNP program.

Those who earn a Southeastern Doctor of Nursing (DNP) degree:

synthesize advanced theoretical concepts from nursing and other disciplines to support clinical leadership practices
incorporate scholarship, research, and analytic methods to lead evidence-based practice change and continuous quality improvement
generate clinical prevention and population health improvement strategies
translate complex scientific findings into clinical and leadership practice
integrate processes that support technology-enhanced, data-based healthcare
foster intra- and interdisciplinary collaborations, which advance the level and quality of care across populations and systems
utilize knowledge of health policy to facilitate advocacy initiatives, social justice, and ethical care
assume high-level leadership roles in organizations and systems to positively impact the health of individuals and populations

Careers in the program

Students completing the DNP program are prepared for positions in:

Leadership positions in health organizations, industry, government agencies
Clinical information technology
Academic faculty positions (evidence-based practice, clinical practice, teaching)
Outcomes manager
Quality Improvement Director

Starting Salaries after completing the program (estimates only)

Starting salaries vary widely by experience, practice setting, region and state.

Related fields that might interest you

Doctor in Nursing Science (DNS)
Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)

How do I know this is the degree for me?
Common Strengths and interests of students in the program

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree is the terminal degree that prepares the highest level of nursing scholar to translate evidence into practice and to serve as leaders in nursing practice. Students take 39 credit hours (post-master's) in a distance-friendly format and are able to choose a 4-, 6-, or 8-semester study plan, depending on full-time or part-time status.

The curriculum includes areas such as biostatistics, epidemiology, clinical scholarship and analytic methods, preventive care, informatics, organizational and systems leadership, ethics and healthcare policy, project planning, and practicum hours.