Doctor of Nursing Practice

Mission

The mission of the DNP (Non-Clinical) Program at UPDCJBR is to prepare doctoral-level nursing professionals with advanced competencies in leadership, administration, communication, critical thinking, ethical-legal analysis, and evidence-based practice. Graduates will be able to design, implement, and evaluate Capstone projects that improve quality, safety, effectiveness, and equity within healthcare systems, organizations, educational settings, and communities, promoting decision-making grounded in scientific evidence and cultural sensitivity.

Program Goals

Upon completion of the DNP (Non-Clinical) program, graduates will be able to:

• Demonstrate advanced leadership and management to promote sustainable improvements in healthcare and educational organizations, systems, and programs.
• Apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to evaluate complex scenarios and design effective, data- and evidence-based strategies.
• Integrate research and scientific evidence into decision-making to improve processes, outcomes, and quality.
• Design, implement, and evaluate a Capstone Project with measurable impact aligned with real practice, system, or organizational needs.
• Communicate findings professionally and effectively, including oral presentations, academic defense, poster presentations, and publication.
• Promote cultural competence and person-/community-centered approaches by integrating equity and cultural sensitivity into initiatives and actions.
• Comply with ethical and legal standards in project development, data management, leadership, and professional decision-making.
• Strengthen professional and interprofessional relationships through effective communication, collaboration, and strategic partnership building.

Student Learning Outcomes (SLO)

Program SLOs include the development of competencies in:

• Patient Safety
• Clinical Management
• Critical Thinking, Problem Solving & Research Evidence
• Communication Skills
• Cultural Competence
• Evidence-Based Practice & Scientific Investigation
• Ethical and Legal Aspects
• Professional Relationships

Capstone Practicum (Hours)

Students will complete a Capstone Practicum for a total of:

• 1,089 hours
• Equivalency: 1 credit hour = 99 contact hours

Details regarding the validation of some credits for graduates of an MSN program are available upon request (validation form required).

Academic Requirements

• Minimum passing grade per course: 80% (B)
• Graduation GPA: 3.00

Admissions

• Admission cohorts: August and January
• Application fee: $100.00
• Program approved by JIP: January 2026

The Nursing Examining Board does not grant professional licenses for DNP.

DNP Faculty