Building on their specialty practice, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) graduates design new models of care; use evidence to improve practice; evaluate outcomes; identify and manage the health care needs of individuals, communities, and populations; and use technology and information systems to improve health outcomes.
Guided by faculty mentors, DNP candidates enrich and deepen their specialty practice by engaging in transformative educational activities. Through experiential learning, self-assessment and reflection, community engagement, interprofessional relationships, and scientific inquiry, nurses emerge as leaders, transforming their practice and health care in self-identified areas of concern and influence.
The program culminates in a doctoral project that reflects a synthesis of the knowledge and skills gained throughout the candidate’s educational experience.
DNP Projects from 2019
Supraclavicular Blocks for the Treatment of Distal Injuries in the Upper Extremity in the Emergency Department, Patrick O'Brien
Treating Acute Bronchitis in Primary Care, Haylie Patterson and Stacy Wieland
Improving Patient Education on Spinal Anesthesia: An Assessment of a Patient Educational Program, Nicholas Raburn
Transitioning Pediatric Patients with Special Needs, Dimi Resch
Labor Management Protocol for Parturients on Buprenorphine, Erik Sanders
Unraveling Sex Trafficking through Screening and Referrals, Rebecca Sarabia
Improving Perioperative Warming of Surgical Patients: Implementation of a Warming Protocol, Maghy Schrage
Conducting a Root Cause Analysis to Improve Patient Selection Process, Tanisha Tillman
Update of blood transfusion protocols at a regional hospital in rural Illinois, Kendra Tracy
Popliteal Blocks for the Treatment of Distal Injuries in the Lower Extremity in the Emergency Department, Jacob Turner
Why won't this heal?: Actinomyces and wounds, Christina Wagener
Improving Perioperative Pain Management: Development of an Adult Lidocaine Infusion Protocol, Kelsey Wallace
Improving Emergence and Awaken Time in the Obese Population: Development of a Desflurane Protocol in the Obese Population, Nikki Watson
Improving Acute Postoperative Pain Management for the Pediatric Patient: Guidelines on the Use of Intravenous Dexmedetomidine, Jenna Winters
Assessing Palliative Care Needs in Residents with Alzheimer's, Emily Yarnell
DNP Projects from 2018
Adult naloxone administration protocol, Samuel S. Adhikari
Transitioning with Grace: Improving Quality of Life for Comfort Care Patients in the Intensive Care Unit, Melissa Ashley
Strong Recommendation Towards HPV Vaccination, Danielle Bogue
Improving Infection Management of the Institutionalized Elderly, Jovel Angela Viloria Broqueza
Developing an Online Wellness Curriculum for Nurse Anesthesia Students, Gina Calvanese and Jamie Rynearson
Diabetic Foot Screening Tool: Utility in a Busy Primary Care Setting, Crystal A. Cusanelli
Effects of Transitional Care Management on Hospital Readmissions, Samantha Dunkirk
Promoting Antibiotic Stewardship for UTI Management in Long Term Care Residents through Standardized Clinical Practice Guidelines., Juliana M. Enoakpa
Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block for Post-Dural Puncture Headache Treatment, Wesley Gallagher
Effect of Nurse-Developed Dyspnea Improvement Education on Home Health Patients, Teresa Gough and Nevin Ozyurt
Lung Protective Ventilation During General Anesthesia: A Staff Education Project, Carrie L. Hasenstab
Patient Care Advocacy Through Electronic Communication, Jared T. Holton and Scott A. Kahre
Training Plan for Anesthesia Information Management Systems (AIMS), Omololu Kaffy Kafisanwo
Local Anesthetic Systemic Toxicity Management: An Assessment of Simulation-Based Staff Education, Kevin L. Kanallakan
Developing a Ketamine Infusion Protocol to Treat Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, Nikolas M. Kozul
Promoting Empowerment and Innovation: A Technology Initiative, Theresa Marcotte
Standardized Patient Handoff Tool, Matthew Marten
Introduction of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery for Colorectal Surgical Patients: A Quality Improvement Project, Amanda R. McVey
The Effectiveness of Implementing a Diabetic Checklist to Improve Patient Care Documentation, Evans Mutua and Edwilyn Colwell
Fascia Iliaca Compartment Block Protocol for Hip Fracture, M. Ray Nordyke
Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Staff Educational Program and Protocol, Aaron Michael Quach
The Effect of Home Health Interventions on Hospital Readmission Rates in Patients with Congestive Heart Failure, Lindsay Reavis
Enhanced Recovery After Orthopedic Surgery In Total Hips and Knees, Christine Rigg
Protocol Development in the OR: Lessons Learned, Megan Sims
The Implementation of a Health Blog at a Community College, Colin M. Solomon and Roxanne Strohbeck
Sugammadex Protocol, Brenna M. Thomas
Overcoming Barriers for the Implementation of Evidence-Based Practice through Journal Clubs, Regina Thomas
Assessment of the Validity of Patient-Stated Allergies: De-labeling and Education, Tawny Thomas and Angelina Leitschuh
Diabetes Education, Audra Trump
A Retrospective Analysis of an Opiate Education and Naloxone Distribution Program, Ashley M. Tyler
Implementation of High Blood Pressure Guidelines in Clinical Practice, Jessica Walker
Effects of a Multi-Tiered Approach to Impact Immunization Compliance of Students Attending a Medium-Sized Public University, Emily Watson, Stephanie Muertz, and Kate Traum
Postoperative Delirium Education, Aaron Wede