Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner

The Department of Nursing offers programs leading to the Doctor of Nursing Practice, Adult-Gerontological Health The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree programs has two options: Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) and Nurse Practitioner (NP). Students in the two degree programs take many of the same courses but focus their course assignments, competency development and clinical hours on the role of choice. Clinical Nurse Specialists  work within the spheres of direct care, nursing personnel, and organizations/networks. Nurse Practitioners work as  primary care providers in the adult and gerontological populations.

Restructuring of healthcare organizations and initiatives surrounding healthcare reform have created new roles for advanced practice nurses, especially those with doctoral level preparation.

The DNP program is designed to meet health care workforce needs and to provide education at the highest level of clinical nursing practice. The curriculum is based on the Eight Essentials of DNP Practice:

1. Scientific Underpinnings for Practice

2. Organizational and Systems Leadership for Quality Improvement and Systems Thinking

3. Clinical Scholarship and Analytical Methods for Evidence-Based Practice

4. Information Systems/Technology and Patient Care Technology for the Improvement and Transformation of Health Care

5. Health Care Policy for Advocacy in Health Care

6. Inter-professional Collaboration for Improving Patient and Population Health Outcomes

7. Clinical Prevention and Population Health for Improving the Nation’s Health

8. Advanced Nursing Practice

The program requirements are consistent with the Core Practice Doctorate Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) competencies published by the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists, the Nurse Practitioner (NP) competencies published by the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties, and the Adult-Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Competencies and Adult-Gerontological Clinical Nurse Specialist Competencies published by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Nurses who successfully complete the programs are prepared to meet the needs of culturally diverse individuals, families, and communities and will have a competitive edge in the changing, complex environment of health care.

Graduates of the DNP programs are eligible for licensing through the New York State Office of the Professions State Education Department and for certification as specialists in adult-gerontological health nursing through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).

Requirements for Progression and Retention in all Graduate Programs in Nursing 

Progression: Students must achieve a grade of B in all graduate courses in order to progress. Students must provide verification of three years full-time appropriate clinical experience as a registered nurse in order to progress to the clinical courses.

Grades: For a grade lower than a B, the course must be repeated within one year. Students who do not obtain a passing grade in one course may repeat the course only once.  Progression in the program cannot occur until the course is repeated successfully.  Courses cannot be repeated more than once. Only one course can be repeated throughout the curriculum.  

Withdrawals: No more than two (2) withdrawals are permitted throughout the curriculum. When a second withdrawal is requested, permission must be obtained from the Department Chair by requesting permission for the second withdrawal in writing. Permission may be granted based upon previous academic performance, circumstances, and adequacy of the individual’s plan for success.

Academic Probation: Students whose GPA falls below 3.0 will be placed on academic probation, please see policy in Graduate Catalog and the Academic Policy of the College. Improvement of the GPA may require additional coursework. Students on academic probation are not permitted to progress to the clinical courses.

Dismissal: If the student fails any one of the advanced practice core (BIO 670, BIO/NRS 682, NRS 702) or role specialization courses (i.e. NRS 720, NRS 721, NRS 722, NRS 723, NRS 735, NRS 736, NRS 737) the student will be dismissed from the program. 

Advisement

Each student admitted to the program will be provided academic guidance and career support. Students must meet with their advisor once a semester. Permission to register is granted during advisement.