Because DNP education is specialized, the specialty content preparing DNP graduates for various practice roles will differ substantially across specialty areas. However, all DNP graduates will demonstrate the competencies in?The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Practice Nursing?by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)

Students may choose from two areas of foci:

  • Advanced Practice Nursing
  • Leadership in Healthcare Systems ?

The Doctor of Nursing Practice at?James Madison University impacts the practice of nursing, the healthcare delivery system and the shaping of health policy by providing the environment, resources and knowledge needed for nurses to provide high quality, patient and family-centered, accountable nursing care and to practice as a professional within an interprofessional team.

A key feature of the D.N.P. is its focus on evidence-based practice and, especially, evidence-based management practice, as emphasized by the Institute of Medicine (IOM). The D.N.P. degree is not a research-focused degree, as is the Ph.D. It is a practice-focused degree with an emphasis on the rigor of evidence-based practice based on research knowledge and the analysis of clinical and systems data.

JMU D.N.P. graduates will have a strong scientific foundation for practice and prepared to translate knowledge quickly and effectively to benefit patients in practice environments.