Doctor of Nursing Practice
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is geared toward nurses seeking the highest credential or terminal degree in nursing practice.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is for nurses seeking the highest credential
or terminal degree in nursing practice. The DNP will prepare nurses with the ability
to balance proficiencies, practice, theory, and scientific inquiry in the advanced
nursing role. Stockton’s DNP program is designed for working nurses and can be completed
on a part-time basis.
Click here to watch the recording of our Virtual M.S.N./D.N.P. Information Session
DNP CCNE On-Site Evaluation
The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) will conduct an on-site evaluation of the Stockton University program leading to the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree on November 6 to 8, 2024. The CCNE is an autonomous accrediting agency, which ensures the quality and integrity of professional nursing programs. Prior to the accreditation visit and in compliance with the accreditation process, programs are required to provide an opportunity for constituents and other interested parties to submit, in writing, comments concerning a program’s qualifications for accreditation.
This letter serves as notification that an accreditation review is scheduled and that third-party comments will be received by CCNE until 21 days before the scheduled on-site evaluation. Any written third-party comments must be received by CCNE by October 16, 2024. Only signed comments are accepted by CCNE. CCNE shares third-party comments with members of the evaluation team prior to the visit, but at no time during the review process are these comments shared with the program. During its review of the program, the evaluation team considers third-party comments that relate to the accreditation standards. All third-party comments submitted to CCNE must be written in English, consistent with CCNE's policy on Conduct of Business in English.
If you would like to submit a third-party comment for the DNP program currently under review, please submit to thirdpartycomments@ccneaccreditation.org.
Or, if you prefer, mail comments to:
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Attn: Third-Party Comments
655 K Street, NW, Suite 750
Washington, DC 20001
The DNP program provides education in organizational and systems leadership knowledge. Students develop the skills necessary to critically develop and evaluate new models of care delivery and to create and sustain change in all levels of healthcare. Principles of advanced nursing and nursing scholarship are linked to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s DNP Essentials (2008)and Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Practice (2021) to improve health outcomes for clients, families, and diverse communities. The practitioner-scholar role of the DNP prepared nurse develops new knowledge in the practice environment that impacts health outcomes and quality of care.
Accreditation Statement
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing and post-graduate APRN certificate program, and the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Stockton University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
Stockton's nursing programs are accredited by the New Jersey Board of Nursing, a subsidiary of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, New Jersey Board of Nursing, 124 Halsey Street, 6th Floor, and P.O. Box 45010 Newark, New Jersey 07101, (973) 504-6430.
Certification Exam
Post-BSN-DNP students that complete the family nurse practitioner track, are eligible to sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Family Nurse Practitioner certification exam or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board's Family Nurse Practitioner certification exam.
Post-BSN-DNP students that complete the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care curriculum are eligible to sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner certification exam or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board's Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner certification exam.
Complaint Process
Applicants for admission and current students can submit program complaints to the New Jersey Board of Nursing, a subsidiary of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. Complaints may reach the Board of Nursing by writing to the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General Division of Consumer Affairs New Jersey Board of Nursing 124 Halsey Street, 6th Floor, and P.O. Box 45010 Newark, New Jersey 07101.
The DNP program offers two tracks:
- The Post-Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) to DNP
- The Post-Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing to DNP with two APRN concentrations
For the Post-MSN Student:
The Post-MSN DNP track enrolls non advanced practice registered nurses or (APRNs) such as Nurse Educators and Clinical Nurse Leaders as well as APRNs (nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists, clinical nurse specialists) seeking to advance their education to the practice doctorate level. Post-MSN students complete a total of 27 credits to obtain the DNP degree. See the Post MSN Curriculum Map below for more details
For the Post BSN-DNP Student:
Students may choose to pursue the post BSN-DNP degree in Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nursing Practice (AGPCNP) or the post BSN-DNP degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). The post BSN-DNP student has the option to obtain the MSN degree and seek certification as an APN while completing the DNP degree. See the Post BSN-DNP AGPCNP or Post BSN-DNP FNP curriculum map for more information.
Program Delivery Format:
All MSN and DNP courses will be offered in the online synchronous format for accessibility.Intensives require on-campus attendance once per semester. All clinical/practicum courses require active real-time student presence in clinical sites with preceptor guidance and faculty oversight. Full-time and part-time options are available.
Clinical Requirement:
A total of 1000 clinical hours are required to complete the DNP degree. Five hundred of those hours are achieved through completion of the 27 credit DNP curriculum. Post BSN-DNP and post MSN APN students may apply 500 additional hours from APRN practicum courses. All other post MSN students may request a gap analysis of prior graduate level clinical hours and may expect to complete additional clinical hours beyond the 500 hours included in the DNP curriculum to achieve the required 1000 hours.
Fall - Year 1
- MHAL 5000 - Management & Leadership Development in Healthcare - 3 credits
- NURS 5326 - Biostatistics & Epidemiology in Population Health - 3 credits
- NURS 6105 Theory and Scholarship for Practice - 3 credits
Spring - Year 1
- MHAL 5035 - Healthcare Informatics - 3 credits
- NURS 6205 Advanced Research and Evidence for Practice - 3 credits
Summer - Year 1
- NURS 5330 Advanced Pathophysiology - 3 credits
Fall - Year 2
- NURS 5332 Advanced Pharmacology - 3 credits
- NURS 5333 Advanced Health Assessment - 3 credits
- NURS 6106 Healthcare Economics Policy and Management - 3 credits
Spring - Year 2
- NURS 5422 Adult Primary Care I - 3 credits
- NURS 5922 Adult Practicum I - 3 credits
- NURS 6301 Leadership, Quality, and Safety to Improve Outcomes - 3 credits
Summer - Year 2
- NURS 5423 Adult Primary Care II - 3 credits
- NURS 5923 Adult Practicum II - 3 credits
- NURS 6901 DNP Project I: Proposal - 5 credits
Fall - Year 3
- NURS 5424 Adult Primary Care III - 3 credits
- NURS 5924 Adult Practicum III - 3 credits
- NURS 6902 DNP Project II: Implementation - 5 credits
Spring - Year 3
- NURS 5932 - Immersion in AGNP Practice - 3 credits
- NURS 5590 Professional Role Development - 1 credit
- NURS 6905 DNP Project III: Dissemination - 5 credits
Total Credits 67
Total Clinical Hours 1250
Fall - Year 1
- MHAL 5000 - Management & Leadership Development in Healthcare - 3 credits
- NURS 5326 - Biostatistics & Epidemiology in Population Health - 3 credits
- NURS 6105 Theory and Scholarship for Practice - 3 credits
Spring - Year 1
- MHAL 5035 - Healthcare Informatics - 3 credits
- NURS 6205 Advanced Research and Evidence for Practice - 3 credits
Summer - Year 1
- NURS 5330 Advanced Pathophysiology - 3 credits
Fall - Year 2
- NURS 5332 Advanced Pharmacology - 3 credits
- NURS 5333 Advanced Health Assessment - 3 credits
- NURS 6106 Healthcare Economics Policy and Management - 3 credits
Spring - Year 2
- NURS 5422 Adult Primary Care I - 3 credits
- NURS 5922 Adult Practicum I - 3 credits
- NURS 6301 Leadership, Quality, and Safety to Improve Outcomes - 3 credits
Summer - Year 2
- NURS 5423 Adult Primary Care II - 3 credits
- NURS 5923 Adult Practicum II - 3 credits
- NURS 6901 DNP Project I: Proposal - 5 credits
Fall - Year 3
- NURS 5424 Adult Primary Care III - 3 credits
- NURS 5924 Adult Practicum III - 3 credits
- NURS 6902 DNP Project II: Implementation - 5 credits
Spring - Year 3
- NURS 5541 Assessment and Care of the Family with Young Children - 3 credits
- NURS 5941 Pediatric Practicum - 4 credits
- NURS 5590 Professional Role Development - 1 credit
- NURS 6905 DNP Project III: Dissemination - 5 credits
Total Credits 71
Total Clinical Hours 1270
Fall 1
- NURS 6105 Theory & Scholarship for Practice – 50 Clinical Hours - 3 credits
- NURS 6106 HC Economics, Policy & Management - 50 Clinical Hours - 3 credits
Spring 1
- NURS 6205 Advanced Research Methods & Evidence for Practice - 50 Clinical Hours - 3 credits
- NURS 6301 Leadership, Quality, & Safety to Improve Outcomes - 50 Clinical Hours - 3 credits
Summer 1
- NURS 6901 DNP Project I: Proposal – 75 Clinical Hours - 5 credits
Fall 2
- NURS 6902 DNP Project II: Implementation - 150 Clinical Hours - 5 credits
Spring 2
- NURS 6905 DNP Project III: Dissemination - 75 Clinical Hours - 5 credits
Total Credits 27
Total Clinical Hours 500
Students enrolling prior to summer 2024 will consult the Nursing Student Handbook for the appropriate curriculum guide.
Admissions Criteria
Application Deadline
While graduate admissions selection committees review applications until the start of the semester, by applying prior to the Priority Deadline, you can ensure that your transition to Stockton is as smooth as possible: you will be invited to the New Student Orientation Event, and have access to priority registration which means you may have more options for monthly installments of a payment plan, as well as greater options for class selection.
Priority Deadlines
Post BSN-DNP:
Fall: July 1
Summer: April 1
Post MSN-DNP:
Fall: July 1
Spring: December 1
Prerequisite Requirements
Prospective applicants must meet the following criteria, though meeting the minimum criteria does not guarantee admission:
- Possess a nursing degree from an NLN or CCNE-accredited school
- Post-BSN DNP- Minimum nursing degree must be a BSN.
- Post-MSN DNP- Minimum nursing degree must be an MSN
- Meet one of the two requirements:
- Cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher (on a scale of 4.0) with a minimum grade of "B" in all nursing courses.
- Cumulative GPA of 3.3 in at least two graduate nursing courses if the BSN GPA is less than or equal to 3.19.
- For Post-BSN DNP program only, the completion of BSN prerequisite courses:
- Health Assessment
- Nursing Research (or in the health discipline)
- Statistics
- Proof of current RN license in the State of NJ, American Heart Association CPR certification, and post-MSN DNP NP applicants must provide proof of APN certification.
- Students must meet the "Technical Standards and Essential Functions" requirements as specified by the Nursing Program (Policy #M-1).
Admissions Requirements
- Click here to start your application.
- Application fee: $50 (non-refundable), submitted with your online application
- Graduate application essay
- Proof of license to practice as a registered professional nurse in New Jersey
- Three letters of recommendation; one academic and two professional, sent electronically via the online application
- Resume
- Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended (including Stockton) should be emailed, mailed or dropped off directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions:
By mail:
Office of Graduate Admissions, N-Wing 007a
101 Vera King Farris Drive
Galloway, NJ 08205-9441
Electronically:
gradschool@stockton.edu - Qualified candidates may be invited for an interview with the Admissions Committee
Learn more about our Health Care Partner Discount Program.
Program & Clinical Requirements
The Nursing Program at Stockton University adheres to policies required by clinical affiliates where student clinical learning experiences occur. Since clinical affiliates require criminal background checks (CBC), urine drug screenings, and current vaccinations for all students coming to their facility, all nursing students will conform to the following policy mandates. Students are responsible for all costs related to the mandatory requirements. Students entering the Nursing Program must be able to pass a criminal background check and a 10-panel urine drug screen.
- Every nursing student is required to receive a Criminal Background Check upon program entry and then annually thereafter until graduation.
- For fall entry students the Criminal Background Check must be completed and submitted to the university approved software system by August 15th. Information about obtaining the background check will be given at orientation and via email.
- For spring-entry students the Criminal Background Check must be completed and submitted to the university approved software system by December 15th. Information about obtaining the background check will be given at orientation and via email.
All Criminal Background Check reports must be received by the Nursing Clinical Placement Specialist or Program Chair by the designated due dates or the student will be dropped from nursing classes and cannot be guaranteed a clinical placement.
*The Program Chair reserves the right to change or extend the deadline for completion for all applicants depending upon the date of acceptance.
- Results of the Criminal Background Check (CBC) will be valid for one year, unless there is reason to initiate another check or if the facility requires more frequent screening.
- If the nursing student leaves the Program for more than two semesters, a new Criminal Background Check and Urine Drug Screen is required prior to return.
- Students must use the university approved vendor for the CBC. No other results will be accepted. Information to access the screening will be provided by the Nursing Clinical Placement Specialist.
- History of the following infractions will disqualify an accepted student from enrollment
in the Nursing Program:
- Falsification of records or omission of pertinent information on either the certified background check or urine drug screen
- Felony convictions
- Misdemeanor convictions, probated sentences or felony deferred adjudications involving crimes against persons, including physical or sexual abuse
- Misdemeanor convictions related to moral turpitude, including prostitution, public lewdness/exposure, theft, etc.
- Felony probated sentences or deferred adjudication for the sale, possession, distribution, or transfer of narcotics or controlled substances
- Registered sex offenders
- A nursing student who is charged/convicted of a criminal offense must report the charge or conviction to the Program Chair within three days of the charge.
- A nursing student whose subsequent Criminal Background Checks reveals any of the infractions noted above, will be disqualified from participating in any clinical experience and will then be dismissed from the Nursing Program.
Students should also note that a successful criminal background check must be completed after graduation and before taking the licensure exam (NCLEX-RN).
- Every nursing student is required to receive a urine drug screen upon program entry and then annually thereafter until graduation.
- For fall entry students the urine drug screen must be completed and submitted to the university approved software system by August 15th. Information about obtaining the background check will be given at orientation and via email.
- For spring-entry students the urine drug screen must be completed and submitted to the university approved software system by December 15th. Information about obtaining the background check will be given at orientation and via email.
All urine drug screen reports must be received by the Nursing Clinical Placement Specialist or Program Chair by the designated due dates or the student will be dropped from nursing classes and cannot be guaranteed a clinical placement.
*The Program Chair reserves the right to change or extend the deadline for completion for all applicants depending upon the date of acceptance.
- Results of the urine drug screening will be valid for one year, unless there is reason to initiate a random urine drug screening or if the facility requires more frequent screening.
- Students must use the university approved vendor for the urine drug screen. No other results will be accepted. Information to access the screening will be provided by the Nursing Clinical Placement Specialist.
- The drug screening will consist of a 10-panel urine drug screening, see below under program requirements for the list of the substances.
- A positive drug screen on admission may result in dismissal from the Nursing Program.
- If a nursing student has a positive drug screening on the test done prior to clinical, the student will not be permitted to participate in the clinical component of a nursing course and is required to withdraw from all nursing courses. A student’s academic standing will be reviewed internally with an outcome of possible dismissal from the program.
- All students are subject to random drug screening at the discretion of a nursing faculty, Nursing Clinical Placement Specialist, Chief Nurse Administrator, and staff member with due cause.
Note: Individuals with a history of any disqualifying behavior on the Criminal Background Check or urine drug screen, will only be considered for readmission to the Program if the NJ Board of Nursing issues a statement that the student is eligible for initial licensure as a registered profession nurse following program completion.
The University and the School of Health Sciences clinical preparation programs (including the nursing program) strongly recommend but do not require students to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and other diseases. Our clinical partners regularly update their immunization and health requirements, which may include mandatory vaccination against COVID-19, influenza, and other immunizations.
The University is required to comply with the placement requirements implemented by the respective clinical partners, including health and immunization requirements. Please note the following important information:
- Attendance and participation in clinical-based learning is a requirement for nursing students. Failure to comply with health and immunization requirements from clinical partners may impact a student’s ability to complete the clinical component of the nursing program.
- The University nursing program may admit students without vaccination compliance; however, the nursing program cannot guarantee clinical placements, degree completion, or program progression in the case that the student does not meet the clinical, health, and immunization requirements of our clinical partners. Non-compliant students may be permanently excluded from clinical participation due to external clinical site requirements.
- Placements are made based on the availability of our clinical partners; therefore, if students are placed at a rotation site that requires them to be vaccinated and students do not have the required immunization(s), students may be excluded from clinical experiences.
- Please be aware that clinical partners can and do react to population health and public health developments as they occur, and students may be subject to immediate enforcement of clinical site health requirements which could lead to possible clinical course withdrawal.
Accommodations/Exemptions
Clinical partners may require students to request accommodations/exemptions (medical or religious) through the clinical partner’s exemption/accommodation process. Each clinical partner will determine its own process for accepting requests for accommodations and exemptions. The School of Health will facilitate exemptions at the respective clinical site.
- The length of time it takes to decide an exemption request may delay the start of your clinical rotation.
- A request for exemption is not a guarantee that it will be granted.
- If an unvaccinated student intends to seek an accommodation or exemption and is placed at a clinical partner that has its own accommodation/exemption process, the student should contact the SHS to facilitate the accommodation/exemption process.
- If a clinical partner does not provide for or allow accommodations or exemptions to its vaccination requirement, or, requires students to go through the clinical partner’s exemption/accommodation process and the student’s request is denied by the clinical partner, the student may request an alternate clinical site through the School of Health Sciences. However, the university cannot grant exemptions or accommodations to a clinical partner’s vaccination requirements.
- If placement at an alternative clinical site is not possible, the only available accommodation(s) may be deferral, or temporary or permanent withdrawal from the program.
Acknowledgement
Your continued participation in the School of Health Sciences clinical preparation programs is an acknowledgment that you have been informed and have reviewed the nursing program and clinical site requirements for health and immunizations. Your continued participation also acknowledges that you have been informed that an unvaccinated student may be permanently excluded from clinical participation due to external clinical site requirements and may be ineligible to continue or to complete the degree program, which may delay or halt graduation.
Requirements | Students |
Physical Examination A physical examination by a physician or nurse practitioner must be completed and documented on the Health & Immunization Record Form (See Exxat or Student Handbook Appendix for Health & Immunization Form) |
Upon entry and annually thereafter |
Health Insurance Please provide annual documentation of your health insurance card. If the students name does not appear on the Card, documentation from the health insurance company must be provided stating that you are covered under the policy. |
Upon entry and annually thereafter |
Tuberculosis Please provide documentation of a negative QuantiFERON TB Gold bloodwork test or 2 step PPD test. QuantiFERON Gold is accepted and is preferred by the program (Lab report required). 2 step PPD skin test is accepted (interval between the 2 steps should be at least 1-3 weeks). 2 step PPD will require 4 visits to the doctor (First PPD= Place date + Read date) & Second PPD= (Place date + Read date). If 2-Step PPD or QuantiFERON Gold blood test is positive, provide a negative Chest X-Ray and documentation from a Health Care Provider regarding non-communicability of tuberculosis. |
Upon entry and annually thereafter |
TDAP Please provide documentation of a TDAP vaccine administered within the past 10 years. |
Upon entry. If the 10-year expiration occurs in during the program progression, revaccination is required |
Laboratory results indicating positive quantitative titers for the following are listed below. If the titers are negative, proof of immunization is required. (Quantitative vs. Qualitative titers – quantitative have a numerical value, qualitative simply indicates “immune vs. non-immune” (with no numerical value). Be sure to get quantitative titers. If you don’t get quantitative titers, we will ask you to get them redone.
|
Upon entry-proof required and then every 5 years |
Criminal Background Check Upon entry to the program, provide documentation of a 7-year background check through the university approved vendor. After initial check is complete, proof of a recheck is required annually. |
Upon entry (7 year)- annually thereafter (recheck) |
10-Panel Urine Drug Screen Upon entry to the program, provide documentation of your current 10-panel urine drug screen. Annual 10-panel urine drug screening is required. The following drugs are being screened for:
|
Upon entry- annual thereafter |
COVID-19 Vaccines You are up to date when you get 1 updated Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of whether you received any original COVID-19 vaccines. |
Upon-entry |
Influenza Vaccine Proof of a current flu vaccination. Vaccine should be ideally administered by the end of October but should continue to be offered if influenza viruses are circulating locally and unexpired vaccine is available. For non-pregnant adults, vaccination in July and August should be avoided (please wait until September), even if vaccine is available during these months, unless there is concern that later vaccination might not be possible. |
Annual |
Current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certification (CPR) Basic Life Support (BLS) for Health Care Providers – Only the American Heart Association certification is accepted. Certification is good for two years. | Biennial for Junior, Senior, Accelerated Nursing Students and Graduate Students prior to clinical/practicum |
HIPAA Privacy & Security Training Please provide proof of completion of the online training module that can be accessed and completed through National Safety Compliance (Link in Exxat) |
One time prior to start of clinical placements (undergrad only) |
Fit Testing Please provide documentation of completed Fit Test |
Biennial for Junior, Senior, Accelerated Nursing Students and Graduate Students prior to clinical/practicum |
Effective: October 1, 2013
Reviewed: May 2015
Revised: August 2020
The Stockton University Nursing Program has a responsibility to educate competent nurses to care for their patients (persons, families and/or communities) with critical judgment, broadly based knowledge, and well-honed technical skills. The Nursing Program has academic as well as technical standards that must be met by students in order to successfully progress in and graduate from its programs.
Nursing is a discipline that requires a range of psychomotor and psychosocial skills. Stockton University’s Nursing Program ensures that access to its facilities, programs and services is available to all students, including students with disabilities, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”), 42 U.S.C. §§ 12101-12212 (2013) (amended 2008) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. § 701 et seq. (“Rehabilitation Act”). Stockton University’s Nursing Program provides reasonable accommodations to students on a nondiscriminatory basis consistent with legal requirements of the ADA and the Rehabilitation Act. A reasonable accommodation is a modification or adjustment to an instructional activity, equipment, facility, program or service that enables a qualified student with a disability to have an equal opportunity to fulfill the requirements necessary for graduation from the nursing program. To be eligible for an accommodation(s), a student must have a documented disability of (a) a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of such individual; (b) a record of such impairment; or, (c) be regarded as having such a condition (Marks & Ailey, 2014). Reasonable accommodations will be made for students with disabilities, provided the accommodation does not fundamentally alter essential academic requirements pursued by the student or any directly related licensing requirement. Student requests for reasonable accommodations will be considered on a case by case basis in consultation with the Learning Access Program (LAP), Stockton University's disability support services office.
Nursing majors at Stockton University should be able to perform the following skills and behaviors:
General Abilities: The student is expected to possess functional use of the senses of vision, touch, hearing, and smell so that data received by the senses may be integrated, analyzed, and synthesized in a consistent and accurate manner. A student must also possess the ability to perceive pain, pressure, temperature, position, vibration, and movement that are important to the student's ability to gather significant information needed to effectively evaluate patients. A student must be able to measure, calculate, reason, comprehend, analyze, integrate and synthesize materials in the context of nursing education and practice. A student must be able to quickly read and comprehend sensitive written material, engage in critical thinking, clinical reasoning and evaluate and apply information in both the classroom and clinical settings. A student must be able to respond promptly to urgent situations that may occur during clinical training activities and must not hinder the ability of other members of the health care team to provide prompt treatment and care to patients.
Technical Standards:
Thefollowing description/examples of technical standards are intended to inform prospective and enrolled students of the standards required to complete the nursing science curriculum.
- These technical standards illustrate the performance abilities and characteristics that are necessary to successfully complete the requirements of Stockton University’s Nursing Program. The standards are not requirements of admission into the programs and the examples are not all-inclusive.
- Individuals interested in applying for admission to the programs should review these standards to develop a better understanding of the skills, abilities and behavioral characteristics required to successfully complete the programs. Key areas for technical standards in nursing include having abilities and skills in the areas of: (1) acquiring fundamental knowledge; (2) developing communication skills; (3) interpreting data; (4) integrating knowledge to establish clinical judgment; and (5) incorporating appropriate professional attitudes and behaviors into nursing practice capabilities.
- Examples of the key areas for technical standards in nursing (acquiring fundamental knowledge, developing communication skills, interpreting data, integrating knowledge to establish clinical judgment, and incorporating appropriate professional attitudes and behaviors into nursing practice capabilities) include the following (adapted from Marks & Bailey, 2014):
To acquire fundamental knowledge, students have the ability to:
- Learn in classroom and other educational settings
- Find sources of knowledge and acquire the knowledge
- Be a life-long learner
- Use and apply novel and adaptive thinking
To develop communication skills, students have the ability to:
- Communicate sensitive and effective interactions with patients (persons, families and/or communities)
- Communicate for effective interaction with the health care team (patients, their supports, other professional and non-professional team members
- Make sense of information gathered from communication
- Apply social intelligence
In the interpretation of data, students have the ability to:
- Observe patient conditions and responses to health and illness
- Assess and monitor health needs
- Apply computational thinking
- Manage cognitive loads
To integrate knowledge to establish clinical judgment, students have the ability to:
- Critically think, problem-solve and make decisions needed to care for persons, families and/or communities across the health continuum and within (or managing or improving) their environments and/or in one or more environments of care
- Intellectualize, conceptualize, and achieve the Essentials of Baccalaureate, Master’s, and Doctor of Nursing Practice education (American Association of Colleges of Nursing [AACN], Essentials, 2020)
- Apply information literacy
- Collaborate across disciplines
To incorporate appropriate professional attitudes and behaviors into nursing practice students have the ability to:
- Demonstrate: concern for others, integrity, ethical conduct, accountability, interest and motivation
- Acquire interpersonal skills for professional interactions with a diverse population of individuals, families and communities
- Acquire interpersonal skills for professional interactions with members of the health care team including patients, their supports, other health care professionals and team members
- Acquire the skills necessary to promote change for necessary quality health care
- Acquire cross-cultural competency
- Collaborate virtually
Skills that nursing majors may use also include the following:
Motor Function: Sufficient motor function, neuromuscular strength and coordination to effectively perform client care activities. Examples include, but are not limited to:
- Transfer, turn, lift clients
- Push, pull, lift and support 25 lbs.
- Manipulate life support devices
- Use diagnostic instruments for physical assessments
- Achieve and maintain Basic Life Support (BLS) certification to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
- Apply pressure to stop bleeding
- Manipulate diagnostic and life support devices
- Measure and administer medications by all routes
- Maintain balance, reach above shoulders, reach below waist, stoop and squat
Gross and Fine Motor Coordination: To provide safe and effective nursing care. Examples include, but are not limited to:
- Move about in limited patient care environments
- Perform a variety of treatments and procedures
- Calibrate and use equipment
- Write with a pen/pencil and use keyboard and/or mouse
- Sit, stand, move within classrooms, labs, acute nursing units, operating rooms, emergency rooms, community settings, and long-term care facilities for as long as required.
Due dates for clinical requirements will be communicated to the students via classroom announcements and e-mail messages from either the Nursing Clinical Placement Specialist or the Program Chair. Students who have not met all requirements will not be permitted in the clinical area and may jeopardize their clinical placement. Students who miss two or more clinical days are at risk for clinical failure.
Students are expected to attend all clinical experiences (lab or off-campus) as scheduled. See Attendance Section in the Nursing Student Handbook for attendance requirements.
Clinical facilities are selected based on the opportunity to provide the student experiences that meet the learning outcomes of the course. The assignment to a clinical group is made at the beginning of the semester, or earlier, and is dependent on faculty and the institutions availability. Students must be aware that they may need to travel a distance (up to 1.5 hours) from campus to attend assigned clinical sites. Students should also be aware that some clinical rotations may be in the evening or on Saturdays or Sundays. Please note that the university carries malpractice insurance on all students.
Frequently Asked Questions
The program's length varies depending on the program and whether a student is attending full-time or part-time. Please review the curriculum guide for a breakdown of the curriculum schedules.
Yes, applicants must possess a nursing degree from a NLN or CCNE-accredited school:
- Post-BSN DNP- Minimum nursing degree must be a BSN.
- Post-MSN DNP- Minimum nursing degree must be an MSN.
No, GRE scores are not required.
Students are admitted in the Fall and Summer semesters.
While graduate admissions selection committees review applications until the start of the semester, by applying prior to the Priority Deadline, you can ensure that your transition to Stockton is as smooth as possible: you will be invited to the New Student Orientation Event, and have access to priority registration which means you may have more options for monthly installments of a payment plan, as well as greater options for class selection.
Priority Deadlines
Post BSN-DNP:
Fall: July 1
Summer: April 1
Post MSN-DNP:
Fall: July 1
Spring: December 1
Yes. There are three graduate level nursing courses in the DNP program available for non-matriculated students:
- NURS 5330 Advanced Pathophysiology
- NURS 5326 Biostatistics, Epidemiology, & Population Health
- NURS 6106 Healthcare Economics Policy and Management
To register, students must complete the online Graduate Non-Matriculated Student form.
Stockton may accept up to 9 credits that sufficiently match corresponding Stockton courses, provided that the grade earned is a 3.0 (B) or better. Clinical/practicum courses are exempt from transfer.
A Graduate Transfer Equivalency Form must be submitted at the time of application when requesting transfer credits. Any other transfer requests should be submitted to the student's advisor for prior approval, but in all cases no later than the first semester following admission to the program.
The Mission (DNP Program)
The mission of the Graduate Nursing Program is to develop advanced-level nurses to practice in a culturally diverse and rapidly evolving world. The University and the graduate nursing programs remain responsive to community needs. Independent, experiential learning fosters students to choose their education and future professional endeavors. We embrace the University’s guiding principles, vision, values, and the strategic plan.
GOALS OF THE PROGRAM
- Develop graduates that demonstrate professional, ethical, skilled, and evidence-based practice competencies in their roles.
- Prepare graduates that influence health and health outcomes of individuals, families, and communities through the application of evidence, clinical analysis, and discovery.
- Prepare graduates to represent the nursing profession in health organizations and health policy at the local, state, national, and international levels.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Student learning outcomes are in accordance with those of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Practice (2021).The Doctor of Nursing Practice program is designed to produce an advanced nurse with the ability to do the following.
- Analyze, translate, and integrate theories and models from Nursing and other disciplines for clinical decision making in professional nursing practice.
- Employ and integrate context driven, advanced reasoning to the diagnostic and decision-making process in the delivery of individualized and developmentally appropriate care that is holistic, just, respectful, evidence based, equitable, and compassionate for diverse populations.
- Advocate and provide collaborative care from public health prevention to disease management by challenging biases and barriers and allocating resources that impact local, regional, national, and global populations to improve equitable health outcomes.
- Lead the integration and dissemination of the best evidence to ethically inform practice, influence policy, and transform healthcare.
- Design individual and systems-based interventions that embody ethical decision making to mitigate risk and foster a culture of safety, transparency, civility, and respect in improving health outcomes.
- Role model the integration of diversity, equity, and inclusion into collaborative practice with the healthcare team, patients, families, and other community stakeholders to optimize healthcare delivery.
- Lead systems change through interaction with consumers and providers to address quality, safety, racism, and advocate for coordinated fiscally responsible, equitable resources for diverse populations.
- Evaluate and implement information technologies for use in data driven and evidence-based healthcare decision making in accordance with ethical, quality, safety, regulatory, and professional standards.
- Promote, model, practice, articulate, and advocate for the values of the profession in manners that are ethically, culturally, and linguistically appropriate through accountability and collaboration to address inequities, social injustice, and human rights issues.
- Embody the values of the profession by promoting, mentoring, and participating in activities that foster accountability, self-care, resilience, lifelong learning, nursing expertise, advocacy, and leadership acumen.
Larider Ruffin, DNP, APN, ANP-BC, AGNP-C, CTTS, FAANP, FAAN
DNP Program Chair
Associate Professor of Nursing
DNP, Wilmington University
Areas of expertise: Diabetes, Smoking and Vaping prevention and education
Phone: 609-626-3563
Email: Larider.Ruffin@stockton.edu
Apply today. If you have further questions you can Request More Information or call the Office of Graduate Admissions at (609) 626-3640 or E-mail gradschool@stockton.edu.