DNP Post-Master's Degree Option Practice Partner Manual
DNP Practice Partner Handbook
DNP Post-Master’s Degree Option Practice Partner Manual
Disclaimer Statement: These guidelines have been prepared to inform you of the selected policies, procedures, and activities within Arkansas State
University’s DNP Post-master’s option.
As registered nurses, graduate students must adhere to all rules and regulations in the Nurse Practice Act in your state.
COLLEGE OF NURSING AND HEALTH PROFESSIONS
Graduate School of Nursing | P.O. Box 910, State University, AR 72467 | P: 870-972-3701 | F: 870-972-2954
COLLEGE OF NURSING AND HEALTH PROFESSIONS
School of Nursing | P.O. Box 910, State University, AR 72467 | P: 870-972-3074 | F: 870-972-2954
Rev. 11/16/2022; 7/5/23sd; 01.30.24 LL;05.23.25 LD; 07.28.25 LD 2
Letter to Practice Partner
Dear Practice Partner,
A Doctor of Nursing Practice student’s Practice Partner has a crucial role in preparing the student for a future in practice change. We are very grateful for your willingness to share your expertise and professional time with our graduate students.
The guidelines presented in this Practice Partner Handbook are designed to provide you with supporting information for the project courses. DNP student hours focus on the DNP Project associated with the facility’s needs assessment. A university/college and facility contract must also be secured and approved prior to the student beginning implementation of their project. Your role as a Practice Partner is to mentor the students as they learn the role of the Doctor of Nursing Practice related to a Quality Improvement project. The student does not always have to be with you physically. You can identify meetings and experiences that may be beneficial to student learning and support your student’s role as a Doctor of Nursing Practice.
We cannot express our appreciation enough for the time you take to mentor and guide our students. This practice partnership is a valuable experience for students because it provides them the opportunity to apply what they have learned in their project courses to prepare them for future roles.
Please let us know if you have any questions, concerns, or even ideas for program improvement. Nursing is a team effort and we value your contribution to the students’ educational experience!
Sincerely,
Dr. Lisa Drake
DNP Program Director
870-972-37013
Arkansas State University School of Nursing DNP Project Guidelines PRACTICE PARTNER ROLE DEFINITION: A terminally degreed expert who agrees to provide support and guidance for a DNP student completing a post-master's DNP practicum experience. The Practice Partner must have a minimum of 2 years of working experience in the last 5 years. Upon entry to the program, students should brainstorm about any terminally degreed expert willing to work with them in this capacity. When choosing a practice partner, please note that working with a family member/spouse is a conflict of interest and is not permitted. PRACTICE PARTNER AGREEMENTS: The Practice Partner is asked to complete an A-State School of Nursing Practice Partner Agreement with a CV, and acknowledgment statement that they received thehandbook, and return it to the DNP student for submission for approval. PRACTICE PARTNER EXPECTATIONS Practice Partner Activities Prior to or at the Beginning of Practicum:
Assist with needs assessment at the facility
Answer questions about Quality Improvement Projects or implementation of evidenceinto practice (sometimes called translation science) at the facility
Assist with scheduling process of team meetings/committees related to the DNP QIProject (preparing and conducting)
Clarify legal, policy, and ethical issues at the facility
Facilitate student access to appropriate project related data
The Practice Partner is not a Preceptor and are not responsible for teaching the student orgrading assignments
Practice Partner Activities during the DNP Project:
Assist in selecting a topic for the student’s quality improvement project (not a researchproject)
Communicate periodically with the student on practicum progress and outcomes (howthings are going)
Notify the faculty if there is a breach in professionalism by the student
STUDENT EXPECTATIONS FOR THE PROJECT SITE
Note: The DNP Practice Partner is not a preceptor, so they will not be teaching the students or grading their assignments. All assignments will be submitted to the ASTATE course in Canvas. The Practice Partner will serve as a mentor for the DNP Project.
1.The student contacts the DNP Practice Partner concerning questions they may have about the DNP Project site.2.The student works with the Director, course faculty, and the DNP Administrative Assistant to ensure Practice Partner agreements are signed. The student will obtain information from the 4
Practice Partner and upload all required documents for approval. These documents will bereviewed, and the student will be notified if the Practice Partner is approved.
- The student will collaborate with the Practice Partner to develop a schedule if the student needsmentoring related to the project site.
- The student will adhere to the A-State Professionalism Policy for the course. The student willalways conduct him or herself in a professional manner during the Practice Partnership.•Provide the Practice Partner with the Practice Partner and Student Handbooks.•Meet course outcomes that align with the AACN Essentials and the student DNPproject.•Complete the Student Evaluation of Facility
As part of the DNP Project expectations, students are to:
Nursing Program/Course Faculty Responsibilities
1.Assumes overall responsibility for teaching and evaluation of the student.2.Assure student compliance with project and required clinical documents.3.Readily available by phone or email for consultation as needed.4.Review portfolio and clinical log with the student and provide feedback as indicated or needed.5.Facilitate student progression through all facets of the DNP Project paper and presentation.
Before enrolling in NURS 8213 Translational Research I, students must submit the following DNP project documents for review and approval. This is a crucial step for the DNP Project and a necessary component for obtaining IRB approval. Failure to submit and receive approval will put the student at risk of course failure as the IRB approval is a requirement for the course.
1. Site Permission letter: Document 1 if completing project at workplace or affiliation agreement secured. 2. Affiliation Agreement: Document 2 if completing project outside of workplace. Once the contract is approved and signed, Document 1 must be completed and signed by the project site. 3. Practice Partner Agreement: Document 3 if completing project outside of workplace. 4. Practice Partner Agreement: Document 4 if completing project at workplace.5
Degree Plans of Study for the Post-masters DNP
Full-Time Degree Plan – Doctor of Nursing Practice General
Core
NURS 8123: Leadership, Policy, and Healthcare Systems
NURS 8143: Healthcare Finance in Advanced Nursing
NURS 8153: Healthcare Informatics in Advanced Nursing
NURS 8213: Translational Research for Doctor of Nursing Practice I
NURS 8223: Translational Research for Doctor of Nursing Practice II
NURS 8263: DNP Project
NURS 8313: DNP Internship I (180 clinical hours)
NURS 8323: DNP Internship II (180 clinical hours)
NURS 8333: DNP Internship III (180 clinical hours)
NURS 881V: DNP Internship IV
Concentration
NURS 8113: Theoretical Foundations for Doctor of Nursing Practice
NURS 8133: Epidemiology for the DNP
NURS 8163: Principles of Healthcare Ethics & Genetics
Full-Time Degree Plan – Doctor of Nursing Practice Education
Core
NURS 8123: Leadership, Policy, and Healthcare Systems
NURS 8143: Healthcare Finance in Advanced Nursing
NURS 8153: Healthcare Informatics in Advanced Nursing
NURS 8213: Translational Research for Doctor of Nursing Practice I
NURS 8223: Translational Research for Doctor of Nursing Practice II
NURS 8263: DNP Project
NURS 8313: DNP Internship I (180 clinical hours)
NURS 8323: DNP Internship II (180 clinical hours)
NURS 8333: DNP Internship III (180 clinical hours)
NURS 881V: DNP Internship IV
Concentration
NURS 6053: Measurement and Evaluation in Health Sciences
NURS 6623: Curriculum Development in Health Professions
NURS 6853: Teaching in Advanced Nursing Roles 6
Full-Time Degree Plan – Doctor of Nursing Practice Executive Leadership
Core
NURS 8123: Leadership, Policy, and Healthcare Systems
NURS 8143: Healthcare Finance in Advanced Nursing
NURS 8153: Healthcare Informatics in Advanced Nursing
NURS 8213: Translational Research for Doctor of Nursing Practice I
NURS 8223: Translational Research for Doctor of Nursing Practice II
NURS 8263: DNP Project
NURS 8313: DNP Internship I (180 clinical hours)
NURS 8323: DNP Internship II (180 clinical hours)
NURS 8333: DNP Internship III (180 clinical hours)
NURS 881V: DNP Internship IV
Concentration
NURS 5113: Leadership in Health Professions
NURS 6373: Healthcare Law and Quality Improvement
NURS 6353: Budgeting and Financial Management 7
Student Evaluation of Facility
Practice Partner Name: Semester:
Constructive evaluation is a valuable tool utilized by the faculty as a method for quality control of the curriculum. Student evaluations are viewed by the faculty and administration as one method for maintaining high, consistent levels of quality education in the School of Nursing. As a professional nursing student, evaluation requires maturity and objectivity. This evaluation tool is the student’s opportunity to participate in the ongoing evaluation process. Please read each item carefully, then select the category that you feel correlates with your feelings about the statement.
Rating scale:
4 = Excellent
3 = Above average 2 = Average
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1 = Needs improvement Practicum Applications |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
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1.The practicum facility was appropriate and offered adequate learningopportunities through the needs assessment. |
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2.The facility provided the resources needed to plan for a QualityImprovement Project including multidisciplinary collaboration. |
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3.The facility accommodated student experiences by providing confidentialaccess to deidentified data without interaction with patients. |
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4.The facility onboarding process (i.e., facility student orientation) waswellorganized and easy to complete. |