Doctor of Nursing Practice Nursing Practice with a Concentration in Post-Masters Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (DNP)
Doctor of Nursing Practice
The Doctor of Nursing Practice program is designed for nurses that are seeking a terminal degree in nursing practice. DNP-prepared nurses are equipped to serve as clinical experts, change agents, and advocates in addressing healthcare in our nation. Specific areas of focus include: advanced practice skills, healthcare policy, organizational and systems leadership, interprofessional collaboration, evidence-based research, healthcare technology, informatics, and patient advocacy. The DNP program at ODU is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
ODU offers seven concentrations in the DNP program. The number of credits required for the Doctor of Nursing degree varies by concentration and reflects specific courses and practicum requirements necessary for the specialty area of professional nursing practice. NURS 800 and NURS 809, incorporated into the MSN core curriculum, are required prerequisites for the DNP.
Refer to the School of Nursing (SON) website for more information: www.odu.edu/nursing.
Post Master's Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist DNP
Janice Hawkins, DNP Nurse Executive Program Director
Pam Bishop, Adult Gerontology CNS Program Director
The Post Masters Adult Gerontology CNS Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) concentration has been developed to address a growing demand from advanced practice nurses. This Post-Masters Clinical Nurse Specialist DNP program is targeted to licensed, registered nurses with an MSN. The curriculum is designed to prepare nurses as Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialists.
The program is offered in an online/hybrid format and requires course content in theory, research, and Adult Gerontology CNS professional and clinical cores. Graduates of this program are eligible to sit for the American Nurses' Association (ANCC) Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist Certification Exam or the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) Acute Care Adult-Gerontology (AACNS-AG) Exam.
Additional requirements include physical exams, CPR certification, immunization requirements, computer competencies and technical standards, background checks and urine drug screening.
To graduate from Old Dominion University’s DNP Program, a student must have successfully completed all required course work, including prerequisite courses of NURS 800 and NURS 809, an evidence-based research project, and all clinical practicum.
Admission Requirements
Admission Requirements for the Adult Gerontology CNS DNP
In addition to meeting University requirements, applicants must meet the admission criteria below.
- Current, unencumbered license as a registered nurse (RN).
- Master's degree in nursing or a related field from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum of 3.0 grade point
- Baccalaureate degree in nursing or related field from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum of a 3.0 grade point average.
- Three letters of recommendation, with at least one from a former faculty member and at least two from former employers.
- A 500-700 word essay that should speak specifically to the concentration area to which you are applying.
- Current Resume
- Prior successful completion (grade of B or better) of the following courses in a previous APRN MSN program, preferred within 5 years of admission:
- Advanced Pathophysiology
- Advanced Physical Assessment
- Advanced Pharmacology
Application Deadline
Priority Deadline: June 1
Curriculum Requirements
Adult Gerontology CNS Concentration
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NURS 530 | Principles of Practice: Contemporary Issues in Nursing Care of the Older Adult | 2 |
| NURS 738 | Clinical Nurse Specialist I: Introduction to Practice | 2 |
| NURS 739 | Clinical Nurse Specialist Practicum I: Role Socialization | 4 |
| NURS 756 | Clinical Nurse Specialist II: Transition to Practice | 3 |
| NURS 757 | Clinical Nurse Specialist Practicum II: Role Transition | 5 |
| NURS 805 | Application of Practice-Based Research Methods | 2 |
| NURS 806 | Proposal Development and Database Management | 4 |
| NURS 810 | Leadership in Complex Systems and Organizations | 3 |
| NURS 807 | Informatics and Healthcare Technology | 3 |
| NURS 812 | Evidence-Based Management for Quality Healthcare | 3 |
| NURS 814 | Competitive Resource Design and Utilization | 3 |
| NURS 816 | DNP Executive Practicum I | 2 |
| NURS 817 | DNP Executive Practicum II | 2 |
| NURS 818 | DNP Executive Practicum III | 3 |
| NURS 819 | DNP Executive Practicum IV | 3 |
| NURS 890 | DNP Nursing Capstone | 3 |