Tennessee DNP Programs

New graduates celebrate with their families at their nursing commencement ceremony.

DNP Programs in Tennessee - Choosing the Best Healthcare Program

For those nursing students who want to pursue a degree at the doctoral level, there are generally two different options. A PhD program is the more traditional route that many people associate with the world of medicine. This is usually based in research, and helps prepare nurses for an advanced role in healthcare. The other option is a Doctor of Nursing Practice, or DNP. These DNP programs in Tennessee and elsewhere are more geared towards sharpening leadership and managerial skills, so that a nurse can take on new roles outside of the traditional realm of taking care of patients. It's a good idea for anyone who wants to maintain hands-on contact with their patients, yet also work on the same level as MDs.

There are many different course titles that could be offered through the different DNP programs in Tennessee. However, some typical examples of these could include Theories for Nursing Practice and Scholarship, Health Policy Development and Implementation, and Action Research and Program Evaluation. Subject matter that you see in this type of program will range from financial issues to finding ways to treat patients more effectively. Creating and implementing policies are also important for DNP students, and will be covered in most programs.

With the broad range of course options out there in these DNP programs in Tennessee, it can be difficult to choose the curriculum that is going to best suit your needs. Some other factors to take into consideration include your current schedule, whether you wish to take classes on a full or part-time basis, and the school's reputation. There are some teaching methods that work better than others, so you will need to decide if you prefer seminars or other forms of classes and lectures. The program duration is also something that may be different in between schools.

At the end of the course of study, most of the DNP programs in Tennessee will ask that their students complete a capstone project of some kind, or a dissertation. This is a way to delve even more deeply into your chosen field of interest. The best projects will combine research with applications of the skills that have been acquired throughout the entire course of study. Students who choose to take their classes online may find that they need to meet with an advisor to help them complete this project, so ask what sort of support system each program has before enrolling in any university.

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Tennessee State Board of Nursing
425 Fifth Avenue North
1st Floor - Cordell Hull Building
Nashville, TN 37247
Phone: (615) 532-5166
Fax: (615) 741-7899

Tennessee Nurses Association

• Tennessee Department of Health