Statement of Purpose

The School of Nursing Doctor of Nursing Practice program offers advanced education in nursing leadership for nurses with a Nurse Practitioner or Executive Leadership background. The DNP program has as its purpose the preparation of graduate-level nurses with advanced knowledge and skills in the student’s specialized areas of practice.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is designed to meet the critical need for leaders and practitioners to meet the growing needs or our healthcare system. The program is structured around the major components of theory, research, and practice. The concepts of leadership, critical thinking, decision-making, and planned change are integrated throughout the curriculum within the Christian worldview. The graduate nursing student at University of Mobile will develop specific roles through refinement of existing professional skills, expansion of the knowledge base for practice, and development of advanced competencies in the students particular area of practice.

Based upon outcomes competencies guiding the curriculum, on completion of the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program, the graduate will:

1. Integrate faith and nursing science with other disciplines to achieve the highest level of evidence-based practice to improve quality healthcare and address health disparities.
2. Utilize intra and interprofessional collaboration to address health policy and health disparities to improve healthcare across diverse populations and cultures.
3. Utilize theories, concepts and analytic methodologies to design, implement, and evaluate current nursing practice to improve and transform healthcare.
4. Demonstrate and promote professionalism, advocacy, social justice, equity, ethical principles, and scientific integrity in advanced nursing practice.
5. Recognize the uniqueness in individuals and communities to address disparities in population health and improve health outcomes.
6. Utilize current and evolving information systems/technology to support, evaluate and improve nursing care and healthcare systems.
7. Utilize complex leadership skills to advance clinical practice and healthcare delivery at the organization and systems level and improve health outcomes for individuals and populations.

Criteria for Admission to the DNP Program

Applicants may be admitted to graduate study in one of the following categories:

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Postgraduate Executive Leadership Admission Requirements

1. Submission of application.
2. Submission of official transcripts of all college coursework from all institutions attended.
3. International Students:

• Students with international transcripts must provide an evaluation from Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (www.cgfns.org) for previous nursing coursework.
• Students with international transcripts must provide an evaluation from World Education Services (http://www.wes.org/) for previous non-nursing coursework.
• International students must also show proof of English Proficiency. Applicants should request that official TOEFL test scores be sent directly to Enrollment Services.