Doctor of Nursing Practice Nursing Practice with a Concentration in Post-Masters Pediatric 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 Practice 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 are required prerequisites for the DNP.
Refer to the School of Nursing (SON) website for more information: www.odu.edu/nursing.
Post Master's Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist DNP
Chelsea Weaks, DNP Nurse Executive Program Director
Pam Bishop, Pediatric CNS Program Director
The Post Masters Pediatric CNS Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) concentration has been developed to address a growing demand for advanced practice nurses. The program of study prepares students as expert clinicians in the application of evidence-based knowledge within the realms of nursing interventions, teaching, and research. This Post-Masters Clinical Nurse Specialist DNP program is targeted to licensed, registered nurses with an MSN.
The program requires course content in theory, research, and Pediatric CNS professional and clinical cores. The curriculum is designed to prepare nurses as Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialists. Graduates of this program are eligible to sit for the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) Acute Care Pediatric (ACCNS-P) Exam. The Post Master's Pediatric CNS DNP is offered in an online/hybrid format.
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 coursework, including prerequisite courses of NURS 800 and NURS 809, a scholarly project, and all clinical practicum.
Admission Requirements
Admission Requirements for the Pediatric 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
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NURS 705 | Primary Care Approaches for Children | 3 |
| 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 782 | The Growth and Development of Children in the 21st Century | 3 |
| NURS 783 | Management of Acute Pediatric Conditions I | 3 |
| NURS 786 | Management of Acute/Critical Pediatric Conditions II | 3 |
| NURS 805 | Application of Practice-Based Research Methods | 2 |
| NURS 806 | Proposal Development and Database Management | 4 |
| NURS 807 | Informatics and Healthcare Technology | 3 |
| NURS 810 | Leadership in Complex Systems and Organizations | 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 |