Fairfield University’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a non-research degree that focuses on the assessment and application of existing evidence to improve practice. Taught as a cohort program, students are educated in the fundamental skills necessary to make a difference in healthcare: population-level healthcare, organizational systems, leadership, business management, clinical scholarship, information technology, and policy-making. With this knowledge, DNP Family Nurse Practitioner and DNP Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner graduates are prepared for leadership roles in a variety of settings—as executives in healthcare organizations, directors of clinical programs, or faculty programs with a clinical focus, to name a few.

son_dnp_dnp_nurse2Upon completion of the Fairfield University DNP program, graduates will possess the following competencies: Independently provide culturally sensitive and evidence-based care to individuals and populations in a defined area of advanced nursing practice Demonstrate critical thinking at the highest level of practice and accountability in the management of healthcare systems, considering ethical, legal, and socially just patient-centered care Translate research into practice through critique of existing evidence, evaluation of outcomes, and implementation of projects that contribute to the development of best practices Integrate science and theory from nursing and related disciplines within a reflective practice framework to inform clinical judgments, resolve dilemmas in healthcare, and serve as a patient care advocate Evaluate patient, population, and healthcare system outcomes using fiscal analysis and cost-effective strategies to achieve quality improvement Analyze the use of healthcare information systems and patient care technology to assure high quality healthcare outcomes Lead collaborative interdisciplinary relationships and partnerships to transform healthcare delivery systems and improve health Assume a leadership role in the analysis, development, implementation, and evaluation of policies to improve healthcare delivery and outcomes at the local, regional, national, and international levels