What does this degree qualify me to do?
The DNP is a practice-focused degree designed for nurses seeking to advance their careers in a clinical setting. Courses are designed to broaden students’ knowledge of the industry, prepare them for changing business practices in healthcare, and advance nursing knowledge.
What is the difference between a BS-DNP and Post Master's DNP? Students with a BSN complete the Graduate Nursing Core and DNP Core, along with credits in one of 5 concentrations:
Adult Nurse Practitioner
Adult Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Adult-Gerontology CNS
Psychiatric/Mental Health CNS
Nurse Executive
The Post Master’s DNP student completed a master’s degree in a nursing concentration and complete the DNP Core.
What is the difference between a DNP and a PhD? The DNP is a practice-focused degree. The PhD is a research-focused degree.
Will Wilkes continue to offer its master’s degrees in nursing?
Yes, all in a distant learning format. The Master of Science concentrations include Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist, Adult Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist, Adult Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Executive, and Nursing Education.
I have a master’s degree in health care administration (MHA). Can I enroll in the DNP program?
The MHA is not a nursing degree. A person who has earned a BSN and an MHA would need to enter the program at the BSN level.
I have a master’s degree in nursing education. Can I enroll in the DNP program?
Possibly. Students seeking a post-master’s DNP or BS-DNP in nursing education will need to discuss their application individually with the Director of Graduate Nursing Program..
ABOUT TAKING ONLINE CLASSES
How often do I have to come to campus for Residency?
An on-site residency is required for students enrolled in NSG 500 :Advanced Health Assessment.
All students in nurse practitioner clinical courses may be required to complete an on-site Residency. These courses include:
NSG 506 Advanced Practice in Adult-Gerontology Clinical I
NSG 515 Advanced Practice in Adult-Gerontology Clinical II
NSG 535 Advanced Practice in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing I
NSG 536 Advanced Practice in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing II
What computer hardware/software do I need to complete an online program?
Students are responsible for the compatibility of their computer systems with the Wilkes University online learning system. Please see the following link for further information: http://www.wilkes.edu/pages/981.asp
How do online courses work?
Each academic unit will typically run for a 12- week period. Students will attend classes via a password-protected online course management system. An asynchronous format is utilized in most courses, but BS-DNP students may be required to participate in some synchronized sessions. Asynchronous, means that students can access courses whatever time of day they wish. Students are expected to participate in online discussions and complete coursework by assigned deadlines. Some courses will require proctored exams.
ABOUT COURSE WORK
How long does it take to complete the degree?
The length of time to complete the degree will depend on the education level of the student upon entering the program and whether they take classes on a full- or part-time basis. The total time taken to complete the proposed doctoral degree may not exceed 6years for Post-Master’s students and 8 years for BS-DNP students.
Can I complete this degree while working full-time?
The online format of the DNP program is designed to accommodate nurses who work full-time. Students can expect to complete a minimum of 9 hours/week/3credit course to meet course requirements. An asynchronous format is utilized in most courses, but BS-DNP students may be required to participate in some synchronized sessions. At the time of admission, faculty advisors discuss program requirements with students to determine course loads that accommodate work schedules and do not jeopardize quality of the academic experience.
How will preceptors be selected?
The student is responsible for arranging all clinical experiences. A preceptor from a practice setting that promotes attainment of course objectives and professional goals should be identified by the student. The preceptor must have a graduate degree in an appropriate healthcare discipline.
Can I transfer credits from another program into the Wilkes DNP program?
A maximum of 6 credits of graduate work done at another accredited university or college may be applied toward the requirements for a master’s degree, and a total of 12 credits may be applied to the DNP.
Transfer credits must match existing credits contained in the scope of the doctoral program at Wilkes. Course descriptions will be reviewed to determine compatibility with existing Wilkes courses. Students may be required to submit course syllabi in cases in which the course descriptions are inconclusive. The Director of Graduate Nursing Program makes the final determination regarding transfer credits.
What is the Scholarly Project? Post Master’s (DNP)
Students in the graduate program are required to complete a Scholarly Project that demonstrates mastery of theoretical content through analysis and synthesis. Students are expected to begin working on the Scholarly Project upon admission to the Program. DNP Scholarly Project oversight is provided by a Scholarly Chairperson chosen by the student from the list of graduate faculty. Two other committee members are chosen by the student to serve as readers and can include graduate faculty members or community members serving as scholarly preceptors.
BS-DNP
Student seeking a BS -DNP will take a stop out and receive a master’s degree allowing them to sit for the appropriate national certification examination and begin clinical practice. Students will then resume enrollment into the DNP curriculum. This allows students to gain clinical expertise in a nursing practice role, while simultaneously completing requirements for DNP courses, including the Scholarly Project in NSG 608.
