Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
The entry-level Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Nurse Practitioner degree has transitioned to a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). The new DNP program will be approximately 4 years of part-time study, 81 credits, and taught in a distance-learning (online) format with clinical courses arranged in your local area. Students must have a Bachelor's degree to be eligible for the DNP program. An RN/DNP pathway will be available for licensed RNs with a Bachelor's degree in another area.
The need for this change is based on strong national and state trends in the health care environment that require the revision in the curriculum and change in the type of degree offered. The DNP degree will allow students to focus on in-depth professional and clinical studies to meet the ever-increasing practice challenges of providing the highest quality health care in the 21st century. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), which currently represents more than 580 schools of nursing at public and private institutions nationwide, has endorsed the Position Statement on the Practice Doctorate in Nursing which will move the level of preparation necessary for advanced nursing practice from a master's degree to the doctorate level by the year 2015. All programs planning to meet the needs addressed by the profession, as well as to continue to exist and remain competitive in the marketplace, will find it necessary to provide entry-level education at the doctoral level.
The University of Michigan-Flint Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program produces skilled nurse practitioners in Primary Health Care. The program consists of three concentrations.
Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP)
The adult nurse practitioner is a provider of direct health care services. Within this role, the ANP synthesizes theoretical, scientific, and contemporary clinical knowledge for the assessment and management of both health and illness states. The population in adult primary care practice includes adolescents and young, middle, and older adults. The particular expertise of the adult primary care nurse practitioner emphasizes disease prevention, health promotion, and the management of patients with acute and chronic multi-system health problems. Delivering patient care with respect to cultural and spiritual beliefs and making health care resources available to patients from diverse cultures is an important role component. Most adult nurse practitioners practice in primary care settings, which include general and specialty practices. The ANP provides consultation, collaboration, continuing education, certification, and evaluation. Upon entry into practice, the adult nurse practitioner demonstrates competence in the categories of health promotion, health protection, disease prevention, and diagnostics. Graduates will sit for the Adult Nurse Practitioner certification examination.
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
Family nurse practitioners are primary health care providers. As advanced practice registered nurses (APRN), they provide nursing and medical services to individuals, families, and groups, emphasizing health promotion and disease prevention across the life span. The FNP synthesizes theoretical, scientific and contemporary clinical knowledge in the management of acute and chronic diseases and the treatment of minor injuries.
Services include, but are not limited to, history and physical examinations, the ordering of appropriate diagnostic and laboratory tests, the prescription of pharmacologic agents and treatments, and nonpharmacologic therapies. Teaching and counseling individuals, families, and groups are major parts of a nurse practitioner’s activities. Family nurse practitioners work autonomously, as well as in collaboration with a variety of individuals, to diagnose and manage clients’ health care problems. Graduates will be qualified to sit for the Family Nurse Practitioner certification examination.
Adult Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
The adult psychiatric mental health practitioner’s role is unique and on the cutting edge of mental health care. In Michigan, changes in the Michigan Mental Health Code have paved the way for new opportunities for adult psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners. The code specifically defines new responsibilities for advanced practice nurses employed in community mental health service programs. Adult psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners synthesize theoretical, scientific, and contemporary clinical knowledge and are capable of medical, pharmacological, and psychotherapeutic intervention in acute, crisis, and chronic persistent situations, as well as being skilled in disease prevention and health maintenance planning. Credentialed to practice independently, they value and seek ongoing consultative relationships with the psychiatrist and other mental health team members. Full utilization of psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners has the potential of extending mental health services in a cost-effective manner. Graduates will be qualified to sit for the Adult Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certification examination, as well as the Adult Nurse Practitioner certification examination.
The DNP is offered based upon the following tracks:
- RN to DNP (ADN nurses with a Bachelor's Degree in a non-nursing field)
- BSN to DNP (Registered Nurses with a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing)
- MS or MSN-NP to DNP (Registered Nurses with a conferred MS or MSN-Nurse Practitioner Degree, Nurse Midwives, CRNA, or CNS)
For additional information on the Doctor of Nursing Practice, please visit http://www.umflint.edu/graduateprograms/nursing.htm.