Program Structure
The program is structured to admit students beginning each fall semester. Students take courses on a full-time basis during the completion of their 500 level courses, pre-FNP 800 level courses, and during the didactic and clinical courses in the FNP program.
Length of program: The Post-BSN to DNP/FNP track of study leads to eligibility for certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and requires a minimum of 84 semester credit hours, including 53 didactic credit hours, 4 seminar credits, and 24 clinical credit hours.
Didactic
A total of 19 didactic courses (53 semester credits) constitute the DNP/FNP program. Didactic classes, seminars, clinical skills labs, structured practica, and clinical experiences are taught in a variety of flexible schedules that are responsive to student needs. 500-level courses consist of six hybrid, synchronous and asynchronous classes a semester – four hours of class time, using zoom technology. In addition to the didactic course, students take a one credit practicum course associated with the didactic course. The DNP courses (NUR 800 level during 2nd year of study), are taught in a variety of synchronous and asynchronous modalities with varying times of four to eight hours. One course is offered in an immersion format of four days of class per semester. The FNP courses (final two years of study) are offered primarily on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Friday, approximately six times a semester for four to five hours in a hybrid format, using zoom technology, synchronous and asynchronous as well as some face to face classes. Class time hours will vary. Class attendance is expected and should be considered a key responsibility, not only to one’s self, but to one’s classmates and the course instructor. Classes are held on Augsburg’s campus in Minneapolis at Bethel Lutheran Church (810 3rd Ave SE) , the location of Augsburg’s learning site. Students must be prepared to drive to Minneapolis. If weather is inclement, Zoom technology is used.
Practica (for DNP courses) / Clinicals (for FNP courses)
To earn the DNP-FNP, a student must complete a total of 1080 practicum hours. This includes 360 practica hours for the DNP portion and 675 hours for the clinical portion.
Practica are organized to give flexibility and individual choice to students to support their increasing independence and depth of practice experience at the doctoral level. Students select practicum experiences that are either structured immersions in a variety of cultural contexts led by nursing faculty or that are student initiated and individually directed experiences mentored by nursing faculty. Students will be allowed to transfer up to 400 practicum hours from their master’s degree in nursing.
675 integrative primary care clinical hours are required. FNP clinical sites will be arranged by clinical faculty. Of the 675 clinical hours: 100 hours focuses on children/women’s health issues, 575 hours focuses on integrative primary care.
In a 15-week semester, practicum hours are computed as follows:
- 1 semester credit hour = 45 clock hours of practicum time per semester
- 2 semester credit hour = 90 clock hours of practicum time per semester
- 3 semester credit hour = 135 clock hours of practicum time per semester
Required Practica hours = 360 which equals 8 credits
Required Clinical hours=675 which equals 15 credits
The total credits for practica and clinicals are equal to 23.
Seminars
Seminars focus on integration of conceptual learning with field practice developing the student’s particular practice interest. Students are required to participate in a total of four one-semester-credit doctoral seminars during the DNP/FNP program. The final seminar culminates in the project presentation and completion of the requirements for the DNP degree.
Clinical Skills Labs
Four 0.5 credit skills labs are scheduled throughout the program to teach hand-on skills to students. These clinical skills labs focus on Women’s Health, HEENT, Musculoskeletal, and Dermatology and Suturing.
Study Abroad and Away
The Department of Nursing works closely with cultural guides and nurse mentors in various contexts of care in emerging care settings at home and abroad. The Center for Global Education and Experience is a partner with the Department of Nursing in developing and facilitating study abroad opportunities in Guatemala, Mexico, Namibia, Pine Ridge, SD, and England. A detailed listing of practica and immersion experiences abroad and away can be found at the nursing website (www.augsburg.edu/nursing).
Final DNP/FNP Project
Final DNP/FNP projects must make a significant impact on nursing practice and health outcomes of populations and communities, demonstrate an evidence-based contribution to existing nursing knowledge, and be suitable for presentation or publication in a peer-reviewed venue. Through this scholarly project students demonstrate leadership in synthesizing and applying scientific knowledge to practice challenges in local and/or system wide contexts of care. Students should begin working on their DNP/FNP projects in the early stages of the program and continue throughout. The student’s scholarly project is planned in collaboration with a major faculty advisor.