Nursing DNP, Primary Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Emphasis
The UMSL College of Nursing is committed to admitting a diverse group of students who will become nurse leaders responsive to the specific needs of the communities and populations we serve. We value diversity, intellectual discourse and rigor, caring, professionalism, mutual respect and support, innovation, collaboration, and transparency. Applicants will be selected using inclusive and balanced admission criteria that measure their potential in nursing practice, education, research, and scholarship. We measure our success by graduates who become lifelong learners and leaders in their communities and in the profession of nursing.
Applicants to the DNP program will be holistically reviewed using criteria such as GPA, a personal statement, an essay, work/volunteer experiences, professional activities, leadership roles, honors, award recognitions, etc.
Due to higher education regulation changes, the University of Missouri–St. Louis cannot admit students from all states for online programs. Please see the Center for Teaching and Learning for additional information: http://www.umsl.edu/services/ctl/onlinelearning/state_authorization.html
Admission Criteria
BSN to DNP
The post-baccalaureate entry point is designed for registered nurses who have completed a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing degree and desire to obtain a doctoral degree in nursing practice. The student will develop the knowledge, skills, and expertise to become clinical scholars, clinical experts, and transformational leaders who will function at the highest level of nursing practice.
General Admission Criteria:
- Admission to the University by completing the UMSL Graduate School application
- Completion of College of Nursing supplemental application
- BSN from a nationally accredited nursing program
- BSN 3.0 GPA (calculated on last 60 hours of BSN coursework)
- Current professional licensure
- Completion of an undergraduate general statistics course
Direct Admit BSN to DNP Option
Direct admission to the BSN to DNP program is selective and open to students who have earned a BSN from UMSL or completed the UMSL CON Externship in Nursing Summer program and earned a BSN degree from a nationally accredited nursing program.
Admission Criteria:
Admission to the University by completing the UMSL Graduate School application
- Completion of College of Nursing supplemental application
- BSN from UMSL OR completed the UMSL CON Externship in Nursing Summer Program and earned a BSN degree from a nationally accredited nursing program
- 3.75 GPA in last 60 hours of BSN coursework
Once admitted, students must maintain a 3.0 GPA.
Spaces in the BSN to DNP program are limited and are first awarded to guaranteed applicants. Based on space availability, applications will be accepted until the class is full.
Degree Requirements
Core Content for BSN to DNP program
Completion of the BSN to DNP program has seven program emphasis areas: six Nurse Practitioner emphasis areas and a Leadership in Healthcare Systems emphasis area. All programs include coursework in Foundational Concepts, Clinical Expertise, and Integration of Practice.
| Foundational Concepts | ||
| NURSE 6111 | Healthcare Systems | 3 |
| NURSE 6130 | Research, Interventions and Evidence-Based Practice | 3 |
| NURSE 6424 | Social Determinants of Health for Underserved Populations | 3 |
| NURSE 7211 | Biostatistics I | 3 |
| NURSE 7215 | Evidence-Based Practice for the DNP | 3 |
| NURSE 7220 | Leadership in Practice | 3 |
| NURSE 7230 | Epidemiology | 3 |
| NURSE 7240 | Health Informatics | 3 |
| NURSE 7260 | Program Evaluation and Quality Management in Healthcare | 3 |
| NURSE 7443 | Healthcare Policy and Economics | 3 |
| Nursing elective | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 33 | |
| Clinical Expertise | ||
| NURSE 6518 | Pathophysiology for Advanced Nursing Practice | 3 |
| NURSE 6520 | Pharmacology For Advanced Nursing Practice | 3 |
| NURSE 6524 | Health Assessment for Advanced Nursing Practice | 3 |
| NURSE 6530 | Introduction to Diagnostic Reasoning | 3 |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Integration of Practice | ||
| NURSE 6954 | Advanced Practice Nursing: Practicum I 1 | 1-2 |
| or NURSE 6934 | Leadership in Population Health and Healthcare Systems Residency I | |
| NURSE 6955 | Advanced Practice Nursing: Practicum II 1 | 1-2 |
| or NURSE 6935 | Leadership in Population Health and Healthcare Systems Residency II | |
| NURSE 7954 | Advanced Practice Nursing: Practicum III 1 | 1-2 |
| or NURSE 7934 | Leadership in Population Health and Healthcare Systems Residency III | |
| NURSE 7291 | DNP Capstone I | 2 |
| NURSE 7292 | DNP Capstone II | 2 |
| NURSE 7293 | DNP Capstone III | 2 |
| Total Hours | 14 | |
- 1
All students must complete a minimum of 8 hours of residency. One credit hour is equivalent to 75 residency hours.
Prior to completion of the DNP program, students will complete a clinical scholarship project that satisfies the graduate school requirement.
Specific Requirements for the Emphasis Area
For all Nurse Practitioner emphasis areas, a student must complete both focus content above and specialty courses as listed below.
| Diagnosis and Management Foundations | ||
| NURSE 6723 | Foundations of Pediatric Health | 3 |
| Diagnosis and Management I | ||
| NURSE 6743 | Pediatric Health I: Acute and Chronic Care | 4 |
| Diagnosis and Management II | ||
| NURSE 6744 | Pediatric Health II: Comprehensive Primary Care | 4 |
| Total Hours | 11 | |
Total number of hours in degree program: 70
Learning Outcomes
- Integrate informatics, research, and ethical/legal principles to provide excellence in advanced clinical nursing practice.
- Translate research to improve healthcare delivery and health outcomes.
- Generate strategies for multidisciplinary leadership through analysis of critical indicators and/or healthcare delivery systems to optimize patient care and safety.
- Demonstrate an understanding of strategies to influence health policy-making to improve health outcomes, shape healthcare delivery, and remove barriers to healthcare.
- Evaluate approaches to practice utilizing both nursing theories and other health system theories.