| 253.535.7674 | www.plu.edu/dnp/ | nurs@plu.edu |
| Rhoberta Haley, Ph.D., Dean |
Accreditation
The Doctor of Nursing Practice program and post-graduate APRN certificate programs at Pacific Lutheran University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org) and Washington State Board of Nursing.
The Family Nurse Practitioner curriculum meets the eligibility requirements for Family Nurse Practitioner Certification.
The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner curriculum meets the eligibility requirements for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certification.
The Emergency Nurse Practitioner curriculum meets the eligibility requirements for Emergency Nurse Practitioner Certification.
Admission Criteria
- B.S.N. to D.N.P.: Hold a baccalaureate degree in nursing from a nationally accredited school of nursing
- M.S.N. to D.N.P. post-master’s: Completion of a master’s degree in nursing from a nationally-accredited school of nursing
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (B) on a 4.00 scale for all college work
- Submission of PLU Graduate Application forms and non-refundable fee
- Official transcripts from each college and university attended
- Professional résumé
- Statement of professional goals
- Two letters of recommendation
- Civil, administrative and criminal history clearance in all states as well as any other applicable territory or country
- Fluency in speaking, reading, writing and comprehending graduate-level English (see policy and procedures in the Graduate Application Addendum)
- Direct care RN experience preferred, but not required
Advance Deposit
There are limitations on the number of students accepted into the D.N.P. program each year. Applicants accepted into the program are required to make a non-refundable $300 advance tuition payment to confirm their acceptance of an offer of admission within three weeks of their acceptance date.
Program Requirements
All admitted D.N.P. students must provide valid documentation of the following by designated dates and before enrollment in any practicum/clinical course:
- Unrestricted licensure as a registered nurse in the State of Washington or a Multi-State License from their home state of record under the Nurse License Compact;
- Immunization and health status;
- CPR certification;
- Comprehensive personal health insurance; and
- Civil, administrative, and criminal history clearance in all states, as well as any other applicable territory or country.
Drug Testing Policy
All nursing students will be required to submit to a drug, marijuana, and alcohol screening at least once as part of their continuing School of Nursing health requirements. Students may be required to submit to additional drug screenings as required by the clinical agencies and School of Nursing. The screenings may be scheduled or they may occur at random and unannounced. Students will be expected to adhere to any deadline set by the agencies and/or the School of Nursing.
Advising
The DNP Program Director for the School of Nursing typically completes initial advising and program planning with interested applicants and admitted students. Post-master’s students will meet with the DNP Program Director to conduct a Gap Analysis of previous master’s coursework and develop a plan of study to meet the D.N.P. degree requirements. D.N.P. applicants are strongly encouraged to attend one of the regularly scheduled information sessions and review the website. Upon matriculation, all students are assigned a graduate faculty advisor.
Non-Matriculated Students
B.S.N. or M.S.N.-prepared registered nurses may, with permission of the Graduate Program Director, enroll in up to nine semester hours of D.N.P. courses on a non-matriculated basis. Non-matriculated students are, by definition, non-degree seeking individuals, and there is no guarantee that non-matriculated students will eventually be admitted. Non-matriculated students must formally apply to, and be accepted to, the D.N.P. program if they want to seek a D.N.P. degree. For more information on non-matriculated status, see the Graduate School policies.
D.N.P. Program for B.S.N. (Prepared Registered Nurses)
D.N.P. Program for B.S.N. (Prepared Registered Nurses)
The Doctor of Nursing Practice program is designed for nurses seeking a terminal degree at the highest level of nursing practice. The sequence of study recognizes the academic and professional success of the baccalaureate degree as the groundwork for graduate study. A limited number of candidates are admitted each year and admission is competitive.
The PLU Doctor of Nursing Practice degree prepares graduates in the advanced practice specialty area of Family Nurse Practitioner or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Graduates are able to develop and evaluate quality within a health system, collaborate with inter-professional teams to improve health outcomes, and be leaders in the nursing profession. The D.N.P curriculum consists of core coursework (theory, advanced practice roles, evaluation and outcomes research, leadership and management, and advanced health promotion, information systems and patient care technology, epidemiology, analytical methods, translating research into practice, and health policy), a D.N.P. Final Project and the specialty track coursework for either the Family Nurse Practitioner or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner specialty.
- The Family Nurse Practitioner specialty core coursework focuses on client-centered clinical practice, and prepares nurse practitioners to respond to the needs of today and tomorrow’s health care consumers, to manage direct care based on advanced assessment and diagnostic reasoning, to incorporate health promotion and disease prevention interventions into health care delivery, and to recognize their potential for professional growth, responsibility, and autonomy. Successful completion of the D.N.P. Family Nurse Practitioner program qualifies students to sit for national certification examinations for Family Nurse Practitioner, making them eligible under Washington State law for Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) licensure.
- The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner specialty coursework prepares nurses to provide comprehensive mental health, psychiatric and addictions care at the advanced practice level in hospitals, outpatient, and community settings. Scope of practice includes advanced practice psychiatric-mental health nursing assessment, psychopharmacology, group, individual and family therapy and advanced nursing interventions across the lifespan. Successful completion of the D.N.P. Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner track qualifies students to sit for national certification examinations for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, making them eligible under Washington State law for Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) licensure.
Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree Requirements
80 semester hours
Prerequisite Course: Introductory Statistics (including inferential and descriptive) with a minimum grade of 3.0 (B).
- Core D.N.P. Courses – 31 semester hours
- GNUR 701: Foundations of Scholarly Writing & Communications (2)
- GNUR 702: Advanced Practice Roles & Collaboration (1)
- GNUR 703: Theoretical Foundations & Evidence Based Practice (3)
- GNUR 704: Population Health, Policy, & Politics (2)
- GNUR 705: Information Systems & Patient Care Technology (2)
- GNUR 706: Biostatistics, Analytical Methods, & Epidemiology (3)
- GNUR 707: Quality Improvement & Research Methods (3)
- GNUR 708: Advanced Practice Leadership & Resource Management (3)
- GNUR 710: Advanced Pathophysiology (3)
- GNUR 711: Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics (3)
- GNUR 712: Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics Discussion (1)
- GNUR 713: Advanced Physical Assessment (3)
- GNUR 714: Advanced Practice Clinical Diagnosis & Management (2)
- Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Project Courses – minimum 13 semester hours
-
- GNUR 795: DNP Project Proposal (1)
- GNUR 796: DNP Project Proposal Seminar (2)
- GNUR 797: DNP Project Seminar (1 each semester after N791 until final semester)
- GNUR 798: DNP Project Clinical Hours (1-5)
- GNUR 799: DNP Project Final Seminar (2 in final semester)
- Family Nurse Practitioner Core Courses – 34 semester hours
-
- GNUR 715: Psych/Mental Health Essentials for Primary Care (2)
- GNUR 720: Primary Care Procedures & Diagnostics (3)
- GNUR 721: FNP 1 (2)
- GNUR 722: FNP 2 (2)
- GNUR 723: FNP 3 (2)
- GNUR 724: FNP 4 (1)
- GNUR 731: FNP 1 Seminar/Clinical (3)
- GNUR 732: FNP 2 Seminar/Clinical (3)
- GNUR 733: FNP 3 Seminar/Clinical (3)
- GNUR 734: FNP 4 Seminar/Clinical (3)
- GNUR 735: FNP 5 Seminar/Clinical (4)
- GNUR 736: FNP Capstone Seminar/Clinical (6)
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Core Courses — 38 semester hours
-
- GNUR 716: Primary Care Essentials for PMHNPs (2)
- GNUR 717: Management of Substance Abuse & Addiction (2)
- GNUR 718: Management of Complex Trauma (2)
- GNUR 740: Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan (3)
- GNUR 741: PMHNP 1 (2)
- GNUR 742: PMHNP 2 (2)
- GNUR 743: PMHNP 3 (2)
- GNUR 744: PMHNP 4 (1)
- GNUR 751: PMHNP 1 Seminar/Clinical (3)
- GNUR 752: PMHNP 2 Seminar/Clinical (3)
- GNUR 753: PMHNP 3 Seminar/Clinical (3)
- GNUR 754: PMHNP 4 Seminar/Clinical (3)
- GNUR 755: PMHNP 5 Seminar/Clinical (4)
- GNUR 756: PMHNP 6 Seminar/Clinical (6)
Post-Master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree for Advanced Practice Nurses
The post-master’s D.N.P. degree builds on the master’s degree in advanced practice nursing (Nurse Practitioner, Certified Nurse Midwife, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist). Students complete the D.N.P. Core and D.N.P. Project coursework. A Gap Analysis is conducted to determine what previous coursework meets the D.N.P. competencies and which additional courses will be required for the PLU D.N.P. degree.
Post-Master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree for Those Seeking a Family Nurse Practitioner or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Specialty
The post-master’s D.N.P. for master’s-prepared nurses who wish to complete the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) specialty builds on master’s level coursework, with the student completing the FNP or PMHNP specialty core, the D.N.P. Core and the D.N.P. Scholarly Project coursework at PLU. A Gap Analysis is conducted to determine what previous coursework meets the D.N.P. competencies and which additional courses will be required for the PLU D.N.P. degree.
Post-Master's Doctor of Nursing Practice with Master of Business Administration for Nurse Executives
Minimum 65 semester hours
The post-master’s D.N.P. degree builds on the core master’s degree in nursing in preparing and supporting nurses in executive positions from senior unit nurse manager to C-Suite positions or with an intended route within 2 years. Designed as a 3-year full-time program, students complete the D.N.P. Core courses (except GNUR 708) and the courses required for an M.B.A. Part-time options are available; students must complete the degree requirements within 7 years of their first matriculated course to be awarded both the D.N.P. and the M.B.A. degrees. A Gap Analysis is conducted to determine what previous coursework meets the D.N.P. competencies and may be waived.
- Core D.N.P. Courses – 16 semester hours
- GNUR 701: Foundations of Scholarly Writing & Communications (2)
- GNUR 702: Advanced Practice Roles & Collaboration (1)
- GNUR 703: Theoretical Foundations & Evidence Based Practice (3)
- GNUR 704: Population Health, Policy, & Politics (2)
- GNUR 705: Information Systems & Patient Care Technology (2)
- GNUR 706: Biostatistics, Analytical Methods, & Epidemiology (3)
- GNUR 707: Quality Improvement & Research Methods (3)
- Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Project Courses – minimum 13 semester hours
-
- GNUR 795: DNP Project Proposal (1)
- GNUR 796: DNP Project Proposal Seminar (2)
- GNUR 797: DNP Project Seminar (1 each semester after N791 until final semester)
- GNUR 798: DNP Project Clinical Hours (1-5)
- GNUR 799: DNP Project Final Seminar (2 in final semester)
- Master of Business Administration Courses – 36 semester hours
-
- BMBA 509: Global Business Perspectives (4)
- BMBA 510: Legal, Ethical, and Social Responsibilities of Business (4)
- BMBA 511: Accounting for Decision Making (4)
- BMBA 513: Marketing Management (4)
- BMBA 515: Organizations, Leadership, and Change Management (4)
- BMBA 517: Understanding & Managing Financial Resources (4)
- BMBA 521: Supply Chain and Information Management (4)
- BMBA 522: Quantitative and Managerial Decision Analysis (4)
- BMBA 523: Business Strategy and Innovation Management (4)
Post-Graduate Certificates
The School of Nursing offers a Post-Graduate Certificate for the Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Practitioner, or Emergency Nurse Practitioner specialty.
Program Approval
The School of Nursing is a member of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and is approved by the Washington State Board of Nursing. The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) curriculum meets requirements for national certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner. The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) curriculum meets eligibility requirements for national certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. The Emergency Nurse Practitioner (ENP) curriculum meets requirements for national certification as an Emergency Nurse Practitioner.
Post-Graduate Certificate Application Priority Deadlines
Post-Graduate Certificate candidates may apply for admission at any time during the year. However, application by the priority deadline will enhance the applicant’s potential for admission and for arranging financial assistance.
- Priority Date #1: December 1
- Priority Date #2: January 15
Admission Criteria
- Completion of a master’s degree or doctoral degree in nursing from a nationally-accredited school of nursing.
- A minimum cumulative 3.00 GPA (B) on a 4.00 scale for all college work.
- Submission of PLU Graduate Application via Nursing CAS.
- Official transcripts from each college and university attended.
- Professional résumé.
- Statement of professional goals.
- Two letters of recommendation.
- Civil, administrative, and criminal history clearance in all states as well as any other applicable territory or country.
- Fluency in speaking, reading, writing, and comprehending graduate-level English.
- Additional criteria for ENP Certificate applicants:
- Family Nurse Practitioner certification
- Must have or be eligible to obtain WA state licensure with prescriptive authority
Advance Deposit
There are limitations on the number of students accepted into the Post-Graduate Certificate program each year. Applicants accepted into the program are required to make a non-refundable $300 advance tuition payment to confirm their acceptance of an offer of admission within three weeks of their acceptance date.
Program Requirements
All admitted Post-Graduate Certificate students must provide valid documentation of the following by designated dates and before enrollment in any practicum/clinical course:
- Unrestricted licensure as a registered nurse in the State of Washington;
- Verification of graduation from an accredited nursing masters or doctoral program;
- Immunization and health status;
- BLS certification;
- Comprehensive personal health insurance; and
- Civil, administrative, and criminal history clearance in all states, as well as any other applicable territory or country.
- ENP Certificate applicants must also have:
- ACLS & PALS Certification
- Primary Care Procedures (completed prior to program start date)
- Primary Care of Women and Children (completed prior to program start date)
Drug Testing Policy
All nursing students will be required to submit to a drug, marijuana and alcohol screening at least once yearly as part of their continuing School of Nursing health requirements. Students may be required to submit to additional drug screenings as required by the clinical agencies and School of Nursing. The screenings may be scheduled or they may occur at random and unannounced. Students will be expected to adhere to any deadline set by the agencies and/or School of Nursing.
Advising
The associate dean for graduate nursing programs for the School of Nursing typically completes initial advising and program planning with applicants and admitted students. Post-Master’s students will meet with the associate dean for graduate nursing programs to conduct a gap analysis of previous master’s coursework and develop a plan of study to meet the Post-Masters Certificate requirements. Upon matriculation, all students are assigned a graduate faculty advisor.
Post-Graduate Certificate
The Post-Graduate Certificate prepares graduates in the advanced practice specialty areas of Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Emergency Nurse Practitioner. The curriculum consists of the specialty track coursework. A gap analysis of previous graduate coursework will be conducted for all applicants.
Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate
46 semester hours
The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) specialty core coursework focuses on client-centered clinical practice and prepares nurses to respond to the needs of today’s and tomorrow’s health care consumers, to manage direct care based on advanced assessment and diagnostic reasoning, to incorporate health promotion and disease prevention interventions into health care delivery, and to recognize their potential for professional growth, responsibility, and autonomy. Successful completion of the Family Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate program qualifies students to sit for national certification examinations for Family Nurse Practitioner, making them eligible under Washington State law for Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) licensure.
- GNUR 710: Advanced Pathophysiology (3)
- GNUR 711: Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics (3)
- GNUR 712: Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics Discussion (1)
- GNUR 713: Advanced Physical Assessment (3)
- GNUR 714: Advanced Practice Clinical Diagnosis & Management (2)
- GNUR 715: Psych/Mental Health Essentials for Primary Care (2)
- GNUR 720: Primary Care Procedures & Diagnostics (3)
- GNUR 721: FNP 1 (2)
- GNUR 722: FNP 2 (2)
- GNUR 723: FNP 3 (2)
- GNUR 724: FNP 4 (1)
- GNUR 731: FNP 1 Seminar/Clinical (3)
- GNUR 732: FNP 2 Seminar/Clinical (3)
- GNUR 733: FNP 3 Seminar/Clinical (3)
- GNUR 734: FNP 4 Seminar/Clinical (3)
- GNUR 735: FNP 5 Seminar/Clinical (4)
- GNUR 736: FNP Capstone Seminar/Clinical (6)
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Certificate
The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner specialty coursework prepared nurses to provide comprehensive mental health, psychiatric, and addictions care at the advanced practice level in hospitals, outpatient, and community settings. Scope of practice includes advanced practice psychiatric-mental health nursing assessment, psychopharmacology, group, individual and family therapy, and advanced nursing interventions across the lifespan. Successful completion of the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate qualifies students to sit for national certification examinations for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, making them eligible under Washington State law for Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) licensure.
- GNUR 710: Advanced Pathophysiology (3)
- GNUR 711: Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics (3)
- GNUR 712: Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics Discussion (1)
- GNUR 713: Advanced Physical Assessment (3)
- GNUR 714: Advanced Practice Clinical Diagnosis & Management (2)
- GNUR 716: Primary Care Essentials for PMHNPs (2)
- GNUR 717: Management of Substance Abuse & Addiction (2)
- GNUR 718: Management of Complex Trauma (2)
- GNUR 740: Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan (3)
- GNUR 741: PMHNP 1 (2)
- GNUR 742: PMHNP 2 (2)
- GNUR 743: PMHNP 3 (2)
- GNUR 744: PMHNP 4 (1)
- GNUR 751: PMHNP 1 Seminar/Clinical (3)
- GNUR 752: PMHNP 2 Seminar/Clinical (3)
- GNUR 753: PMHNP 3 Seminar/Clinical (3)
- GNUR 754: PMHNP 4 Seminar/Clinical (3)
- GNUR 755: PMHNP 5 Seminar/Clinical (4)
- GNUR 756: PMHNP 6 Seminar/Clinical (6)
Emergency Nurse Practitioner (ENP) Certificate
The Emergency Nurse Practitioner Certificate Program is on hiatus for the 2024-25 academic year.
The Emergency Nurse Practitioner specialty coursework prepares certified family, acute care, and adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioners, either currently working in the emergency or urgent care setting or who desire to make a change and work in the emergency setting. This rigorous program builds upon core nurse practitioner knowledge and experience and provides the education and skill necessary to function as a competent nurse practitioner and leader in the emergency and urgent care settings. This program of study includes a minimum of 300 clinical hours and an extensive procedure lab/seminar. Upon completion, students with FNP certification are eligible to sit for the Emergency Nurse Practitioner Certification Examination. Students with other NP certification desiring to sit for the board will have the opportunity to complete additional coursework to become eligible.
The ENP core courses may have required clinical hours and must be taken in a prescribed sequence. A gap analysis will be conducted to determine individual course requirements.
- GNUR 640: ENP Procedures (2)
- GNUR 641: ENP I: Lifespan Emergency Care (4)
- GNUR 642: ENP II: Trauma & Critical Illness (4)
- GNUR 643: ENP III: Immersion & Seminar (4)