Doctor of Nursing Program Online: Everything You Need to Know About Executive Leadership
The following is an excerpt of the NurseTogether.com Community members’ chat (June 22, 2010) with Dr. Catherine Garner, dean of health sciences and nursing at American Sentinel University.
NT.com: Should I obtain a DNP or a PhD?
Dr. Garner: It really depends upon your career goals. If you want to become a nurse researcher or full-time faculty member in a research intensive school of nursing, the PhD is the best route. If you plan to work in a full-time practice/healthcare environment such as hospitals, home care, managed care, or primary care, the Doctorate of Nursing Practice will stand you in good stead.
The American Sentinel DNP is focused on Executive Leadership. We believe that if nursing is to continue to lead change, we must grow our nurse leaders with competencies such as health policy debate, health services research, executive leadership and change management, and strategic planning.
The program is a two year, 42 credit program with two face to face residencies at the beginning of years one and two, with the other classes online.
NT.com: My master’s is in Health Administration. Am I eligible for the American Sentinel DNP program?
Dr. Garner: Yes. Our program is designed to take nurses with a master’s degree in another field into the DNP program with a two course bridge program. You take two MSN nursing courses and then transition directly into the DNP.
NT.com: When you say the student can take two MSN courses, are there specific courses?
Dr. Garner: Yes, there is Theoretical Foundations of Nursing and Nursing Law and Ethics.
NT.com: Does the program have NLN accreditation?
Dr. Garner: At the present time we are accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council, a body recognized by the US Department of Higher Education. We have applied for accreditation from CCNE but this takes up to two years after the program starts. However, our Bachelor’s and Master’s Nursing degrees are already accredited by CCNE.
NT.com: What kind of work experience do I have to have to be accepted into the DNP program?
Dr. Garner: We suggest that you have at least three years experience in management/leadership, as this helps you apply the theoretical learning.
NT.com: The intro paragraph states a two year program, yet residencies are in years two and three. This is confusing. How long is the actual program?
Dr. Garner: The program is two years in length – the residencies (6 credit hours) are for 10 days at the start of years one and two. The program mapping is designed for the online classes to be offered one at a time; each is eight weeks in length, with two weeks off between courses. Our admissions department can provide you with the mapping and dates for our next class.
NT.com: So everyone goes through the program on the same schedule?
Dr. Garner: A few schools have a BSN to DNP track. American Sentinel will accept only those with a master’s degree.
NT.com: Must the courses be taken in order as indicated on the website?
Dr. Garner: Yes, this is carefully sequenced.
NT.com: Does my master’s degree have to be in nursing to qualify for admission into the DNP program?
Dr. Garner: Any master’s degree qualifies for entry; however, you must take two nursing bridge courses prior to starting the doctoral courses.
NT.com: Do the projects build on each other and result in one large report or are they independent projects with each course?
Dr. Garner: The capstone project is really one project developed over the two year program, with each course building towards the final project.
NT.com: So my master’s doesn’t have to be in healthcare? Can it be in any area, such as an MBA, or does it need to at least be in the healthcare area?
Dr. Garner: No, the master’s can be in any area.
NT.com: Tell me more about the residencies. I have a disabled husband and it would be hard to get away for two weeks.
Dr. Garner: The American Sentinel DNP program has a two week break between each of the eight week classes to allow some “down” time in between classes.
The residency is from Monday – Friday with the Leadership course. Saturday – Wednesday is the Health Policy course. This is intensive and allows the cohort to get acquainted with the expectations of the program and to learn how to rely on each other’s strengths and work with others going forward. With enough planning, hopefully you can do the residency.
NT.com: Does the capstone project have to be hospital based in theory; I teach surgical technology and do not work in a hospital?
Dr. Garner: The Capstone Research Project is developed to meet the professional interests of the individual student in accordance with the rigor of the discipline.
Faculty advisors will serve as mentors to the individual as he or she defines the problem, researches the literature, and forms the research process.
The committee of three faculty members will oversee the research process and promote the synthesis and presentation of conclusions. Learners are encouraged to identify topics of interest early in the program of studies.
NT.com: Do we have assignments due each week?
Dr. Garner: The doctoral program focuses much more on the Socratic method of dialogue as a key factor in learning. Thus, the discussion threads and forums are much more important than weekly assignments. In general, there is a project for each course rather than individual assignments.
NT.com: What is the cost relative to the military qualified spouse (husband honorably discharged)?
Dr. Garner: The cost of the DNP is $540/ credit hour. We are unable to offer a military discount for this program.
NT.com: Are there plans to offer a military discount in the future?
Dr. Garner: The cost of the American Sentinel DNP is $22,680 in tuition, which is much less than most programs. We don’t have discounts at present, but I will bring this back to my Executive Leadership team for consideration.
I think you will find that most university doctoral programs are in the $40,000-60,000 range. My doctorate at the University of North Carolina was $55 K.
NT.com: Is it really feasible to work full-time and try to earn your degree online?
Dr. Garner: Yes, absolutely. The beauty of the online environment is the flexibility to check in when it fits with your schedule. All of the other students work full-time, so there is a group balance to the program. Online learning does require discipline though, so you need to fit “school time” into your busy schedule.
NT.com: If I have completed a doctorate program already, could I be eligible for transfer credit into the DNP?
Dr. Garner: No. Unfortunately, the program does not allow for transfer credits.
NT.com: Is there any special schedule consideration with this program?
Dr. Garner: The first year of the program requires that you spend ten days in Denver where we teach two intensive classes – Executive Leadership and Health Policy – as well as provide the structural overview of the program.
At the beginning of your second year, you will meet again as a group for ten days taking two intensive classes – Statistics and your first capstone class – which positions you for doing your capstone project. You will need to plan with your family and employer to be present on these dates.
NT.com: When does the program start?
Dr. Garner: We just had a cohort in for residency in June and it was a wonderful experience – they said they left Denver feeling exhausted and exhilarated! Residencies are in January or June, depending upon whether you like skiing or hiking!
NT.com: How many students are typically in the program at one time?
Dr. Garner: The cohort sizes range from 12-15. This is enough for a good mix of backgrounds and points of view. Our June group consisted of nurse educators, nursing CNOs from both large and small hospital systems, and some nurse executives from corporate America technology companies. There was a fascinating blend of experiences and points of view.
NT.com: When is the deadline to commit for the next cohort?
Dr. Garner: Visit our website to see the next cohort start date.
NT.com: Who are the online faculty members?
Dr. Garner: The American Sentinel doctoral faculty are all experienced nurse executives with doctorates, so they can relate well to the range of challenges that will be presented to leaders in the next few years, especially with the complexities of health reform.
NT.com: Can you explain what the doctoral of nursing is?
Dr. Garner: As articulated in the American Association of Colleges of Nursing “The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice”, October, 2006: “Doctoral programs in nursing fall into two principal types: research-focused and practice-focused. Practice focused doctoral programs are designed to prepare experts in specialized advanced nursing practice. They focus heavily on practice that is innovative and evidence-based, reflecting the application of credible research findings. The two types of doctoral programs differ in their goals and competencies of their graduates. They represent complementary alternative approaches to the highest level of educational preparation of nursing. The concept of a practice doctorate is not new (i.e., Doctor of Public Health – DrPH, Doctor of Management – DM). The Doctor of Nursing Practice has evolved considerably over the 20 years since the first practice-focused nursing doctorate was initiated as an entry-level degree.”
NT.com: Is accreditation for CCNE retro?
Dr. Garner: Yes, accreditation is retro. CCNE requires that the program be operating at least a year before they will come do a visit.
NT.com: Is the cost of travel, lodging, etc. included in the tuition?
Dr. Garner: Tuition is separate from the cost of travel and lodging. We do have a special rate with the Doubletree Hotel that includes room, breakfast and lunch, and free internet. Use those frequent flyer miles!
NT.com: Do you receive any credit for prior work experience or can you transfer credit from other schools?
Dr. Garner: No, there is no credit for work/life experience or transfer credit at the doctoral level.
NT.com: What if you unexpectedly have to take a break due to family or work obligations?
Dr. Garner: You will stop out until you can join with the next cohort of students. This is approximately six months. The program is designed for the starting cohort to go through the program as a group.
NT.com: If I have an MS in Education, a doctorate in Education, are a nurse and considering the DNP program, do I need to take the two MSN classes before I can qualify for the DNP?
Dr. Garner: Yes, you will still need to take the two bridge courses. This is a particular requirement to our CCNE accreditation.
NT.com: Are these two classes the same as in the MSN program?
Dr. Garner: Students with an MSN can go straight into the DNP; those with a master’s in other areas (Business Administration, Education, Health Administration) must take the two bridge MSN courses prior to starting the DNP classes.
The program is designed to help you finish in two calendar years. If this does not work out, you are allowed an additional year to finish your capstone project.
NT.com: If the program lasts two years, will the tuition rate be the same over those two years?
Dr. Garner: Tuition is always subject to change after the first year of the program, but we strive to keep it as low as possible because we all understand the trying economic times.
NT.com: If I do have to take a break and join the next cohort of students, will I have to pay additional fees?
Dr. Garner: Taking a break that is well-communicated with the university will not require a re-entry fee. You may be subject to a higher tuition rate; however, it depends on your circumstances.
NT.com: What other fees are required?
Dr. Garner: There is a resource fee each year that covers additional materials such as the leadership assessment and consulting, additional library resources, etc.
There is no question that doctoral education is a commitment financially, personally and professionally. I went back for my doctorate at 40 with two adolescent boys in my household, but it was well worth the investment for the career opportunities and flexibility in my later life. It opens many doors.
NT.com: What are the classes exactly?
Dr. Garner: Executive Leadership, Business Intelligence, Health Policy, Health Services Research, Quality Management, Strategic Change Management, Strategic Planning, and the capstone and research courses. The capstone project is really a research based project that is of interest and value to the individual learner.
NT.com: Dr. Garner, I would like to teach nursing online. Do universities typically offer the opportunity with only an MSN?
Dr. Garner: The rule of thumb is that you must have the next higher degree to teach. So, a BSN to teach a AD program, a MSN to teach a BSN program and, increasingly, a doctorate to teach a MSN program – although some programs do hire the MSN with particular expertise, e.g., NP for the MSN programs.
NT.com: What is the Capstone Research Project?
Dr. Garner: The Capstone Research Project is developed to meet the professional interests of the individual student in accordance with the rigor of the discipline. Faculty advisors will serve as mentors to the individual as he/she defines the problem, researches the literature, and forms the research process. The committee of three faculty members will oversee the research process and promote the synthesis and presentation of conclusions. Learners are encouraged to identify topics of interest early in the program of studies.
