Loyola University > School of Nursing > Academics > Degree Programs > Graduate Degrees > Doctor of Nursing Practice > DNP in Systems Leadership
DNP in Systems Leadership
Help lead and transform nursing practice in a rapidly changing and complex health care environment
Loyola Nursing's Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Systems Leadership track integrates advanced nursing practice competencies in a post-master's curriculum that includes leadership, systems thinking, quality and safety, health policy, and health care economics and finance. With a DNP in Systems Leadership from Loyola Nursing, you will be ready to make changes in the health care system and improve patient care delivery and outcomes.
Our Commitment to You
Graduates of Loyola's post-Master's DNP in Systems Leadership will gain the knowledge, competencies, and professional values to become a successful health care systems leader.
KNOWLEDGE
You will learn:
- Systems thinking principles and concepts
- Resource management in health care
- Quality improvement principles and practices
- Health care policy and advocacy
- Health care economics and finance
- Decision-making tools and processes
Competencies
You will be able to:
- Analyze trends, issues, and evidence in health care and health care systems
- Integrate the best evidence and patient preferences into the development, delivery, and evaluation of care at the highest level of nursing practice
- Provide leadership in advanced nursing practice
- Foster and maintain team partnerships in collaborative health care environments
PROFESSIONAL VALUES
Loyola Nursing is committed to preparing nurse leaders that value:
- The hallmark characteristics of a Jesuit education:
- Commitment to excellence
- Faith in God
- Service that promotes justice
- Values-based leadership
- Global awareness
- Ethical and moral judgement
- Eliminating health disparities
- Promoting patient safety and excellence in nursing practice
- Engaging in leadership activities through intra- and inter-professional collaboration
- Ensuring equity in health policy
- Accountability to patients, society, and the profession
Curriculum
Our flexible DNP in Systems Leadership program provides part-time and full-time options to fit your schedule.
COURSES
Semester hours: 30
Average completion time: Two to three years
Schedule:
- Year 1: Fall
- Leadership and Roles in Advanced Nursing Practice (3 semester hours)
- Population Focused Health (3 semester hours)
- Year 1: Spring
- Evidence Translation for Advanced Clinical Practice (3 semester hours)
- Statistics for Health and Biological Sciences (3 semester hours)
- Year 1: Summer
- Elective (3 semester hours)
- DNP Practicum (1 semester hour)
- Year 2: Fall
- DNP Practicum (2 semester hours)
- Social Justice and Ethics in Health Care (3 semester hours)
- DNP Project (1 semester hour)
- Year 2: Spring
- DNP Practicum (2 semester hours)
- DNP Project (1 semester hour)
- Health Care Policy and Economics
- Year 2: Summer
- DNP Project (1 semester hour)
- DNP Practicum (1 semester hour)
*This plan assumes the student needs only seven credit hours of practicum to complete the required 1,000 hours post-baccalaureate degree.
PROGRAM STRUCTURE
The online program includes two required immersion weekends for integrated learning and collaboration with classmates and faculty. The weekends occur once a year during the last two years of the program at Loyola's Health Sciences Campus.
DNP PROJECT
Students are required to complete a final DNP project which must focus on translating evidence to practice, practice change, or health policy change.
Admission
You must be a Registered Nurse with a master's degree in nursing from an accredited program to apply. The application deadline for Fall semester is July 1.
Admission is competitive and based on the strength of application materials and interview.
Learn more about the application requirements and apply today.
For more information about the DNP in Systems Leadership, contact Program Track Director Audrey Klopp, PhD, RN, NHA at aklopp1@luc.edu
