College of Nursing - DNP Program Positioning Paper

I collaborated with admissions and student affairs to create a positioning paper for each program in the college. These papers were utilized by a company called "Waybetter" to create an email drip campaign. Below is the positioning paper specifically for our Doctor of Nursing Practice program.

Doctor of Nursing Practice Program Positioning Statement

Appealing to the academically outstanding nursing professional ready to enhance their knowledge and growth, the Augusta University College of Nursing Doctor of Nursing Practice Program is an innovative program partnered with the state’s only public tertiary level-one academic medical center. Through the DNP Program you will transform your career through exceptional education, innovative practice, and cutting-edge research! Augusta University is nationally recognized for promoting nursing excellence, improving healthcare delivery, revolutionizing health care, developing visionary leaders, and promoting the highest levels of wellness.

Doctor of Nursing Practice Program Description

➢ Doctor of Nursing Practice Program: The first Doctor of Nursing Practice Program in Georgia, the Augusta University College of Nursing DNP program offers the most clinical specialty options within the state for a practice doctorate for the bachelor’s or master’s prepared nurse.

➢ Our students are motivated by their compassion for patients to pursue further education. The DNP provides nurses with the clinical and management expertise to improve healthcare outcomes, making them expert collaborators in solving healthcare problems.

➢ Students can access the latest classroom technology in a state-of-the-art facility with an Interdisciplinary Simulation Center and Augusta University’s research centers and institutes. DNP students engage in ground-breaking research and evidence-based practice opportunities in a dynamic, resource-rich health sciences university environment with world-renowned faculty.

➢ While enrolled in the DNP program, students have the opportunity to participate in several expansive and interdisciplinary community engaged projects across the southeast.

Defining the AU Student for the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program

➢ DNP students seek a Career Like No Other – the students in the advanced practice registered nurse specialties are registered nurses with a bachelor’s degree in nursing who seek a terminal doctoral degree in their area of specialty.

o The graduates of these specialties are eligible to take a national certification exam and practice as providers in their area of specialty. These graduates become leaders in their respective specialty and practice autonomously within the full scope of their license.

o The post-master’s students are seasoned advanced practice nurses who are seeking a terminal degree in their specific area of specialty. They are currently leaders in their area of practice at the local, state, and national levels.

➢ DNP students value flexibility – A new BSN graduate without work experience or a seasoned professional looking for career advancement can benefit from one of the specialties within the DNP program.

o Full-time and part-time options are available and consist of 100% online or hybrid online which fosters a better work-life balance.

o Students in the BSN to DNP advanced practice specialties must be local residents to participate in the program, whereas the post-master’s students may reside outside the locale and still benefit from the education experiences of the program.

➢ DNP students utilize access to community-focused programs to become health care experts for Georgia and beyond. They are driven to provide care for others, demonstrated by their participation in hands-on clinical experiences through Costa Layman, the Healthy Grandparents program, and our other community outreach projects.

Distinguishing Features of the College

➢ Exceptional Education

▪ Interactive web-based classes taught by experienced online instructors.

▪ Capstone/practice project completed in your area of expertise

▪ Community partnerships like Costa-Layman Health Fair and the Healthy Grandparents Program allow students to practice with health-oriented community service.

▪ Clinical hours ensure you get rewarding field experience and strong academic training.

▪ A wide variety of concentrations means you follow the career path that excites you.

➢ Resource Rich Health Sciences University Environment

o Augusta University is the primary health care-focused public research university in Georgia.

o Annual on-campus instruction puts you at the heart of the university’s health-focused resources.

➢ Collaboration and Mentorship

o We offer collaboration with world-class researchers and provide a wide range of services to support your research interests, including research monitoring and assistantship for full-time students.

o Opportunity to study with faculty who are practice experts.

➢ Exceptional Faculty

o Faculty themselves are advanced practice registered nurses and participate in faculty practice within their concentrations

o Faculty maintain relevant knowledge and experiences as they continue to practice

o Faculty participate at national and state level organizations to remain current in their practice

o Low student to faculty ratio

o Actively engage in scholarship activities to include lectures, publications, and presentations. Meaning our faculty members stay at the forefront of their fields.

AU Learning Outcomes

➢ In the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program:

o Scientific/Social/Psychological Foundation

▪ Students can integrate and apply nursing and foundational sciences to effectively practice in complex, evolving healthcare systems.

o Safe Quality Care Within Healthcare Systems

▪ Students can analyze and affect quality outcomes in healthcare systems.

o Evidence-Based Practice/Research

▪ Students can improve healthcare outcomes by applying evidence in the healthcare environment.

o Health Care Technology Informatics

▪ Students will be able to analyze and facilitate information systems/technology to monitor and improve patient care outcomes and healthcare systems.

o Health Care Policy

▪ Students analyze the multiple levels of policy to advocate for issues that have actual or potential impact on nursing and healthcare outcomes, allowing them to enter leadership and executive roles within their hospital system.

o Interprofessional Collaboration/Communication

▪ Students employ strategies to lead, develop, and contribute to productive interprofessional teams, which improve healthcare outcomes.

o Population Health

▪ Students demonstrate the ability to evaluate, synthesize, and apply theory, models, and research to impact the health care of diverse populations.

o Professional Practice

▪ Students utilize the competencies of an advanced practice expert to design, implement, and evaluate evidence-based care within their specialty.

Degree Program Outlines

➢ The DNP includes seven-degree tracks for post-BSN and post-MSN study. Our doctoral-level education provides nurses the clinical and leadership expertise to improve health care outcomes within interdisciplinary teams.

o Post-Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing (all students entering these areas of specialty must hold at least a bachelors degree in nursing and an RN license; most concentrations prefer one year experience)

▪ Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)

• This specialty attracts applicants who are ICU-trained and enjoy providing care to patients receiving high-level in-patient care or critical care.

• This concentration offers education and clinical experiences to become board eligible as an AGACNP.

▪ Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

• This program educates advanced nurse clinicians for expert practice in leadership and clinical roles with a focus on the care of families throughout the lifespan for their preventive and primary health care needs.

• These providers are prepared to work in healthcare clinics and primary care offices as the primary practitioner who manages ongoing patient wellness. FNPs are the primary care provider for patients living in rural communities across the state.

▪ Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care (PNP)

• This concentration educates advanced nurse clinicians for expert practice in leadership and clinical roles, with a focus on the primary health care of children from birth through young adulthood.

• These providers are prepared to work in pediatric healthcare clinics and primary care offices as the primary practitioner who manages ongoing patient wellness. PNPs are the primary care provider for pediatric patients living in rural communities across the state.

▪ Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

• Providers are trained to collaborate with interdisciplinary colleagues to identify the proper management and treatment of mental health conditions across the lifespan. These providers work in various settings to include in and out patient facilities and rehabilitation facilities.

o Post-Masters Degree in Nursing (students must have at least a masters degree in nursing or a related field and an active RN license).

▪ Nurse Executive (NEP)

• The interactive online Doctor of Nursing Practice Nurse Executive Program will advance the future of nursing and healthcare leadership in Georgia and beyond.

• The state’s only nurse executive program.

• In order to sit for one of two national nursing leadership certification exam, students are required to have 3-5 years of executive level experience.

• Graduates of this program advance the future of nursing and healthcare leadership in a variety of roles in Georgia and beyond.

▪ Traditional

• This traditional post master’s degree program is offered for advanced practice registered nurses who are seeking the terminal doctoral degree.