Online DNP programs

[Beth]

I'm a family nurse practitioner and live in Sacramento, CA. Am looking for an online DNP program that is of good quality. Cost will be a factor. So far I've looked online at Univ Nevada-Reno, Loyola Univ New Orleans (both are starting DNP programs in 2010), Western Univ of Health Care Sciences and Rush. The first 3 cost about $30,000 total if you finish on time. Rush costs about $60,000 and I've talked to someone locally who used their online program and felt it was very well managed.

Does anyone have any experience with Western Univ or Rush? If so what did you think? I read on Loyola's website that they participate in Veteran's Administration nursing reimbursement, which is attractive if one is employed by the VA.

[Marc Angelini]

Beth,

I am currently enrolled in the Rush DNP program. Please note that a conservative estimate for tuition is actually $30,000, not $60,000. Check the program's website for details. I chose Rush because of its strong reputation and emphasis on healthcare management, so I would recommend it if this appeals to you to.

I am also a VA employee and as far as I know NNEI scholarship funds may be applied to any accredited program, but it is wise to verify this with program prior to accepting NNEI funds.

Regards,
Marc

[Beth]

Marc,

Thanks for your reply. What are NNEI scholarship funds? I was going to go the traditional financial aid route and fill out the FAFSA, then see what funds I could get. I am not with the VA yet but contemplating a position at the Mather VA. What do you do for the VA?
Beth

[Melanie Blunk]

Rush has an excellent program (I earned my post-master's from there), but the price is a bit high.

Currently I am enrolled in the DNP program at USA (University of South Alabama). I think there is much transition and development going on that adds interesting twists and turns to earning the degree.

I have heard that University of Tennessee, Memphis is a good program as well.

[Beth]

Melanie,
Are you pleased with what you're learning in your DNP program at USA? I originally thought about a Ph.D program but am not as interested in research as I would be nursing practice projects. Do you teach or plan to at a bsn/msn or fnp program?
Beth

[Melanie Blunk]

Hi Beth...sorry that I am just now responding.

I do believe in the DNP program. I do consider myself to be more hands on and directly involved with client care.

As far as teaching...I plan on staying in practice in the clinic, but may do some teaching on the side. I have just applied to University of Missouri, where I earned my MSN. They will start their first DNP class this summer. Their MSN program is entirely online. I may help with that group or even with the DNP.

I am a psych NP (PMHNP). I first earned my adult PMHNP and then my post-master's for family PMHNP. If all goes well, I will graduate in December.

I can say I have learned much in my DNP program. I cannot lie that there has been some frustration in changing of projects so near the end. All is working out, but still, several of us have had to change our projects and this adds to the stress of working full time, family and going back to school.

This summer I have seven credit hours. Needless to say, I do not know if I am coming or going on most days. Also, my project is underway, so it makes it *interesting* to balance everything. To answer your question, yes, I am pleased with what I am learning, but it has been a journey!

[Suzanna Dee]

Hey Melanie,
I just completed my application to the USA DNP program. Do you think it's a good quality program? I completed my post-graduate work for my psych NP online with USA and loved it, but that was a few years ago.

Are the faculty supportive? What are their interests? Why did you have to change your project? Please forgive all the questions. I can't seem to find much info online.

Congratulations on being close to graduation!

[Melanie Blunk]

Yes, the faculty is supportive. As in any situation, sometimes you may receive a *more* supportive instructor/advisor than in other cases. I have been extremely fortunate to have Dr. Williams as my advisor.

As far as interests, there seems to be focus on National Safety Patient Goals. What we are hoping to do with the quality improvement project is define a problem and then work to improve outcomes. Many people are working on medication reconciliation, CHF, and diabetes. In some cases, follow up/follow through on treatment is a focus.

My initial project idea was to include a parenting program for those caretakers presenting for help with children with disruptive behaviors. It was deemed “too much like research” and not a quality improvement project. So, I took a look at another problem in the agency, liberal prescribing of benzodiazepines, loss of care to therapy, and overall management of anxiety. I will start week 8 tomorrow. The protocol is multi-leveled regarding new clients coming into care and those maintained on benzodiazepines long-term.

USA is in midst of changing. We are to be the 4th group to graduate in December. The core classes build upon one another to “paint” the picture on systems change and how to accomplish projects. They have listened to feedback and are working on modifications.

The main problem that I have seen is the project changes that have happened for students along the way. Initially, we did every assignment based on our project topic. So, in my case, I had something like 14 months of research on my topic that had to be thrown out. One of the changes they are working on is to align and clarify early on (in project planning course) where and what we will be doing. I hope they will also work on the IRB approval process as well. I was VERY fortunate as my advisor worked with me after spring semester and prior to summer semester and I had approval early on. The summer semester has ended and two of my friends still have not gotten IRB approval.

One of the proposed changes is that a student may not progress in the program if IRB approval is not obtained during Residency II. During Residency I, working on a formal needs assessment and project plan is completed. Residency II works on the IRB approval and starting phase of the project. Early into Residency III, they hope the project is c completed and start calculating findings.

I hope this helps. As all of the programs are fairly new, I think there will be “glitches” along the way. My bit of advice would be: if with the VA system, find out what they want improved. This will help greatly with the VA IRB process. If in a teaching position, find a clinical facility and find out what they want improved (schools with diets, bullying; clinics will CHF management or medication reconciliation needs; if in mental health, compliancy with medications, metabolic syndrome, etc. to name a few). I would not get my heart set on ANYTHING until you enter project planning. At that point, the topic should be solidified and then you can move forward. There were too many of us that focused on one topic and had to pitch it out here in the last year of the program.

[Suzanna Dee]

Thank you for the detailed reply, Melanie. You've answered many questions that I didn't even know to ask. In my mind, there is some difficulty differentiating between a quality improvement or change project, and a more research-oriented one. I guess I'm not the only one! The recommendations of your class sound like good ones.

I'm so glad you mentioned "if with the VA system, find out what they want improved." I am with the VA, and I'll do precisely that. I'm not familiar with the VA IRB process, so it is so helpful to know in advance how I might make things easier on myself. I don't even know how who "they" are! The nurse leader in my region is supportive, but does not have a practice-focused background. I've only been with the VA a year and learning the system has been quite an on-going process.

I've got many more questions, but will save them until I know I've been accepted into the program. Thanks again for being so helpful!

[Melanie Blunk]

If memory serves me correctly, I think you can find some of the information online. Just as all agencies do things differently (even when owned by same company), from my understanding, all VAs have different processes. I think there is a RB committee and an IRB process with the VA. Yes, find someone internal that can be a mentor and knows what the needs are of the facility where you work, if you decide to do your project with the VA. Also, there have been students in the past to go outside of where they work to complete their projects.

Some opportunities for improvement in health could be in the community or at clinics that are open on the weekend. For example, if you are a family PMHNP, perhaps a facility that is open on the weekends might be in need of screening for certain mental health concerns with children, and/or adults. I'm just throwing things out here. From what I've heard, the VA has wonderful resources *IF* it is a project they want completed. There are other options

If you want to ask more questions, feel free to contact me via home email at: [e-mail]

Good luck!

[Suzanna Dee]

Melanie, thanks again for your wonderful and detailed reply. I have a better sense of where to start.

I work at a small out-patient clinic on Maui, and I'm not only the first and only psychiatric nurse practitioner at this clinic, but on the island as well. I work with a wonderful psychiatrist, but I assume my mentor would need to be a DNP, right?

I didn't realize resources outside the VA would also be an option. But I do hope I can come up with a project the VA needs. They have been very generous with training opportunities up to this point, and I'd like to see my own agency benefit and improve as a result of my efforts.

Thanks again, and I'll email you with more specific questions!

Suzanna

[Melanie Blunk]

No, mentors can be psychiatrists. My mentor is a psychiatrist. Feel free to contact me if you have any other questions!

P.S. Wonder if Maui needs more psych NPs....

[Janet Patterson]

I am in the first cohort of the Simmons College, Boston, program. It requires 2 Face to Face sessions per semester which people travel from around the country. This F2F aspect is totally advantegeous in providing support and a sense of community. I have learned so much from the high caliber of students accepted to this program, as well as, the faculty. I would look for somewhere that requires some F2F as the demands of this education really requires some connectedness with other students as well as ability to meet with faculty during the capstone process. Online education has been a complete surprise to me, how rich, diverse and comprehensive. You may be too far away to consider Simmons, but this may provide some advice. New programs do have their growing pains, although I have felt that Simmons has listened intently to student input on how to improve for subsequent cohorts.
Janet