SCHOOL OF NURSING
1780 E University Ave,
Las Cruces,
NM 88003
2020-2021
Student Handbook
for the
DNP Program
& Post
Graduate
APRN Certificate
DNP Program and Post Graduate APRN Certificate
Student Handbook
20
20-2021 Academic Year
S
chool of Nursing
College of Health and Social Services
New Mexico State University
Information in this handbook is subject to change without notice.
The handbook is updated and distributed to all students
at the beginning of each academic year.
Changes that occur during the academic year are communicated by email.
Revised: 7/1/2020
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FOREWORD ...................................................................................................................................................1
SCHOOL OF NURSING MISSION STATEMENT .......................................................................2
ACCREDITATION ......................................................................................................................................2
SCHOOL OF NURSING COMMITMENTS ....................................................................................3
DNP DEGREE AND APRN CERTIFICATE PROGRAM OVERVIEW ........................................4
DNP PROGRAM EXPECTED PROGRAM OUTCOMES ...........................................................6
POST GRADUATE APRN CERTIFICATE EXPECTED PROGRAM OUTCOMES ...........7
ADDITIONAL EXPECTED PROGRAM OUTCOMES ..................................................................8
ENROLLMENT OPTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS ....................................................................9
DISTANCE EDUCATION AUTHORIZATION ................................................................................. 10
GENERAL SCHOOL OF NURSING INFORMATION AND POLICIES ................................ 11
SCHOOL OF NURSING GRADUATE PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION ........................... 11
COMPUTER AND OTHER TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS ........................................... 12
COMMUNICATION ............................................................................................................................... 13
ADMISSION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ............................................................................... 13
CRITERIA FOR ADMISSION: BSN-DNP OPTION ................................................................... 13
CRITERIA FOR ADMISSION: MSN-DNP DEGREE OPTION .............................................. 15
CRITERIA FOR ADMISSION: POST GRADUATE APRN CERTIFICATE ......................... 17
PETITIONING FOR EXCEPTIONS TO ADMISSION CRITERIA ......................................... 19
TRANSFER POLICIES .......................................................................................................................... 19
ACADEMIC POLICIES ............................................................................................................................. 20
ADVISING .................................................................................................................................................. 20
DEGREE PLAN/PROGRAM OF STUDY ....................................................................................... 20
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT ........................................................................................................... 21
TRANSFER OF CREDIT ....................................................................................................................... 21
TIME LIMITATIONS FOR COMPLETION OF DEGREE ......................................................... 22
ABSENCES ............................................................................................................................................... 23
CHANGING SPECIALTY AREAS ...................................................................................................... 24
ACADEMIC RECORDS ........................................................................................................................ 24
GRADING POLICIES AND GRADE REQUIREMENTS .............................................................. 24
S/U Grading ................................................................................................................................................ 24
Incomplete Grades ............................................................................................................................... 25
ACADEMIC PROGRESSION ............................................................................................................. 25
CONDITIONS FOR READMISSION .............................................................................................. 25
ACADEMIC GRIEVANCE POLICY ................................................................................................... 26
CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE TO PROGRESS ................................................................... 26
POLICIES CONCERNING SUBMISSION OF WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS .................... 28
ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT AND PLAGIARISM ....................................................................... 28
DISTANCE EDUCATION/ONLINE LEARNING ........................................................................ 31
GRADUATION.......................................................................................................................................... 32
STUDENT REPRESENTATION ON SON COMMITTEES .................................................... 32
PROGRAM EVALUATION ................................................................................................................... 32
CLINICAL COURSE POLICIES ............................................................................................................ 33
GENERAL CLINICAL PRACTICUM POLICIES ........................................................................... 33
CLINICAL PRECEPTORS AND AFFILIATION AGREEMENTS ........................................... 34
CLINICAL PRACTICE HOURS .......................................................................................................... 35
ALTERNATIVE CLINICAL CREDIT .................................................................................................. 38
CLINICAL CLEARANCES ....................................................................................................................... 38
LIABILITY INSURANCE ........................................................................................................................ 42
PROFESSIONAL APPEARANCE ..................................................................................................... 42
CONFIDENTIALITY ............................................................................................................................... 42
PATIENT/CLIENT SAFETY ................................................................................................................. 43
CLINICAL SEMINAR – ‘BOOT CAMP’ (NURS 690) ................................................................. 44
DNP COMPREHENSIVE AND FINAL EXAM POLICIES ........................................................... 45
DNP PROJECT COMMITTEE ........................................................................................................... 46
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ................................................ 48
DNP PROJECT ........................................................................................................................................ 50
FINAL PROJECT DEFENSE/EXAM POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ............................. 51
ADDITIONAL UNIVERSITY POLICIES AND RESOURCES ..................................................... 54
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES .................................................................................................... 54
DISCRIMINATION ................................................................................................................................. 55
OTHER NMSU RESOURCES ........................................................................................................... 55
WRITING CENTER ................................................................................................................................ 55
STUDENT SERVICES ........................................................................................................................... 56
CHILDREN IN THE ACADEMIC WORKPLACE ......................................................................... 56
– 1 –
FOREWORD
Welcome to the School of Nursing (SON) in the College of Health and Social
Services (CHSS) at New Mexico State University (NMSU). It is our sincere wish
that you find personal and career satisfaction in your pursuit of the Doctor of
Nursing Practice (DNP) degree or Post Graduate (also known as Post Graduate)
APRN Certificate.
This student handbook contains policies and procedures, and should be used in
conjunction with the
NMSU Student Handbook
(available online at:
https://studenthandbook.nmsu.edu) and the
Graduate Catalog
(available on-line at
http://gradschool.nmsu.edu/). The information provided in this handbook is to
assist students with academic program planning for the purpose of successfully
meeting the School of Nursing and the Graduate School requirements for
completing the DNP degree or Post Graduate APRN certificate. This information
supplements the information in the NMSU Graduate Catalog. Students are
expected to know and follow the requirements described in these handbooks. This
handbook is subject to updates and changes.
Please do not hesitate to consult with the Associate Director for the Graduate
Programs, specialty track directors, program faculty or the graduate advisor if
further information is needed. We are here to help you attain your goals.
– 2 –
SCHOOL OF NURSING MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of NMSU School of Nursing is to promote health and improve the
quality of life in the people of New Mexico through nursing education, research,
practice, and public service recognizing the state’s multicultural heritage and
dynamic border environment. The mission of the School of Nursing reflects a
commitment to the mission of the university and the standards of professional
nursing practice by demonstrating excellence in nursing education, research,
practice, and public service.
The primary responsibility of the School of Nursing is to provide the highest quality
professional nursing education including preparation for practice at the BSN, and
MSN and doctoral levels. The intent reflects a commitment to the attainment of
excellence in practice by designing innovative and challenging educational
experiences valuing diversity, providing evidence-based nursing care, and
fostering lifelong learning for the professional nurse in a multicultural society.
ACCREDITATION
New Mexico State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The last comprehensive visit for the Las Cruces and Grants campuses was in
2016-17 resulting in a recommendation of a ten-year review to be conducted in
2027-2028.
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in
nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and post-graduate APRN certificate
program at New Mexico State University is accredited by the Commission on
Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001,
202-887-6791.
– 3 –
SCHOOL OF NURSING COMMITMENTS
1. Provide a rigorous education to support a comprehensive core of knowledge
and professional skills for students at baccalaureate and graduate levels that
prepares them for professional practice roles.
2. Offer students educational opportunities that enable them to function in
emerging nursing roles in health care including those in practice, leadership,
management, and health promotion.
3. Recruit and retain students and faculty from diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural
backgrounds.
4. Provide educational experiences that acknowledge, support and advance
health care for vulnerable and disparate populations.
5. Promote, participate, and collaborate in scientific inquiry, clinical reasoning and
judgment, research utilization, and evidence-based practice related to issues in
health and nursing care.
6. Demonstrate leadership in identifying and addressing a range of health care
issues in the local, regional, national, and global community.
7. Demonstrate and promote responsibility, safety, and accountability in nursing
education, research, outreach, and practice.
8. Achieve competence in the use of technological and communication
resources related to health care and the professional role.
9. Promote the highest ethical standards at all levels of nursing education,
research, outreach, and practice.
(** Approved 12/2015)
– 4 –
DNP DEGREE AND APRN CERTIFICATE PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a 3-year, terminal professional degree in
nursing that focuses on the application of scientific evidence to patient-centered
care. Responsibilities of a nurse or nurse practitioner with a DNP degree include
translating research in practice, evaluating evidence, applying research in
decision-making, and implementing clinical innovations that change practice.
Advanced practice nursing at the doctoral level is distinct from other disciplines in
that it includes both direct care provided to patients by individual clinicians as
well as indirect care in the form of policies, programs and protocols that are
organized, monitored, and continuously improved upon by expert nurse clinicians.
The Post Graduate APRN certificates are a focused collection of specialty
courses in either the FNP or PMHNP tracks for students with an advanced practice
registered nurse (APRN) license in another specialty. These certificates include a
minimum of 18 credits of specialty didactic and clinical courses that allows the
student to apply for national specialty certification. A graduate certificate is not an
official graduate degree of NMSU. A student that successfully completes a
certificate program at the graduate level will receive a certificate of completion
statement on his or her official transcript and a formal certificate from the
Graduate School.
The NMSU School of Nursing DNP degree and Post Graduate APRN certificate
programs are delivered through distance education, which allows nurses and
nurse practitioners to advance their careers while remaining in their communities.
SON faculty have developed a curriculum that is designed to provide the graduate
with a sound foundation for advanced practice nursing. In this curriculum, theory,
evidenced-based practice and reflective practice experiences are integrated, just
as they are in actual nursing practice. In addition, the program offers students the
opportunity to study their individual interests through a selection of advanced
practice clinical experiences. All SON graduate students are registered as NMSU
Online students and pay the NMSU graduate NMSU Online tuition rate (click on
the current semester). Additional fees may be applied by the SON for clinical
courses.
– 5 –
There are two avenues to pursue the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree at the
NMSU SON: the BSN to DNP option and MSN to DNP option. The BSN-DNP
option is for baccalaureate-prepared RNs and is offered in two specialty tracks:
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse
Practitioner (PMHNP). Individuals successfully completing either of the above
options will be prepared to take the national certification exam for the
corresponding specialty area. Students wishing to complete both specialty tracks
in order to become dual certified as a FNP and PMHNP would complete the DNP
degree in one specialty and a certificate in the other.
Applicants with a Master’s degree in a nursing specialty who have a current APRN
license are eligible to apply to the 5-semester MSN-DNP option.
Nurse practitioners (with a Master’s or doctoral degree) who wish to take the
certification exam in a different specialty area are eligible for the year-long Post
Graduate APRN certificate program, which is offered for the FNP and PMHNP
specialties. In some cases, these students elect to complete the MSN-DNP option
and the certificate program concurrently.
Nurses with a Master’s degree who are not licensed as an APRN must complete
the BSN-DNP option in order to complete the requirements for the FNP or PMHNP
track. Please contact the Graduate Advisor to determine which courses from the
MSN degree may be transferrable.
– 6 –
DNP PROGRAM EXPECTED PROGRAM OUTCOMES
The DNP expected program outcomes are based on the American Association of
Colleges of Nursing’s Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Practice
Nursing (2006). Upon graduation from the NMSU DNP program, the graduate is
expected to:
1. Integrate, synthesize, design and translate theory and research-based nursing
and interdisciplinary knowledge to develop and evolve advanced practice
nursing
2. Develop and evaluate care delivery ensuring quality health care and patient
safety within an ethical framework
3. Design, deliver, direct and disseminate evidence-based practices.
4. Use information, systems/technology to select, use and evaluate programs of
care, outcomes of care and care systems.
5. Advocate for health care practice/system changes through policy
development, implementation and evaluation.
6. Employ effective communication, collaboration, consultative, and leadership
skills to promote positive client and health organization outcomes
7. Integrate principles of clinical prevention, biostatistics, population health, and
cultural competence into their advanced practice nursing role.
8. Implement the advanced practice nursing role in accordance with national
standards.
DNP program outcomes are mapped to each course objective in the DNP degree
plan.
– 7 –
POST GRADUATE APRN CERTIFICATE EXPECTED PROGRAM OUTCOMES
Upon graduation from the Post Graduate APRN certificate program, the graduate
is expected to:
1. Integrate, synthesize, design and translate theory and research-based nursing
and interdisciplinary knowledge to develop and evolve advanced practice
nursing.
2. Develop and evaluate care delivery ensuring quality health care and patient
safety.
3. Deliver and direct evidence-based practices.
4. Use information, systems/technology to select, use and evaluate programs of
care, outcomes of care and care systems.
5. Employ effective communication, collaboration, consultative, and leadership
skills to promote positive client and health organization outcomes.
6. Integrate principles of clinical prevention, biostatistics, population health, and
cultural competence into their advanced practice nursing role.
7. Implement the advanced practice nursing role in accordance with national
standards.
Program outcomes are mapped to each course objective in the Post Graduate
APRN Certificate degree plan.
– 8 –
ADDITIONAL EXPECTED PROGRAM OUTCOMES
The BSN-DNP option and the Post Graduate APRN certificate program prepare
students as nurse practitioners. The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner
Faculties (NONPF) have developed a series of nurse practitioner competencies
that all programs in the United States must achieve. The NONPF Nurse
Practitioner Core Competencies are achieved through the BSN-DNP and
curricula at NMSU.
Nurse Practitioner graduates have knowledge, skills, and abilities that are essential
to independent clinical practice. The NP Core Competencies are acquired through
mentored patient care experiences with emphasis on independent and
interprofessional practice; analytic skills for evaluating and providing evidence-
based, patient centered care across settings; and advanced knowledge of the
health care delivery system. Doctorally-prepared NPs apply knowledge of
scientific foundations in practice for quality care. They are able to apply skills in
technology and information literacy, and engage in practice inquiry to improve
health outcomes, policy, and healthcare delivery. Areas of increased knowledge,
skills, and expertise include advanced communication skills, collaboration,
complex decision making, leadership, and the business of health care. The
competencies elaborated here build upon previous work that identified knowledge
and skills essential to DNP competencies (AACN 1996; AACN, 2006; NONPF &
National Panel, 2006) and are consistent with the recommendations of the Institute
of Medicine’s report,
The Future of Nursing
(IOM, 2011). [NONPF 2012, page 1]
Each nurse practitioner specialty (FNP and PMHNP) has a set of competencies
that students must meet prior to graduation. These competencies were
developed by a national task force of nurse practitioner faculty can be found in a
2013 document titled ‘Population-Focused Nurse Practitioner Competencies’.
Competencies are mapped to the students’ clinical evaluation tool in the nurse
practitioner clinical courses.
– 9 –
ENROLLMENT OPTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
BSN-DNP Option
The BSN-DNP option is offered exclusively as a 3-year, full-time program of study.
Students who are unable to progress in the full-time program reapply when they are
able to attend the program full-time. BSN-DNP students are required to attend a 2-day
program orientation on the NMSU campus in Las Cruces NM at the start of Fall
semester in their first year. BSN-DNP students are also required to attend a week-long
clinical seminar on the NMSU campus during the first week of the summer semester
prior to their third year in the program. Students who are not able to attend these on
campus events will not be able to progress in the program.
MSN-DNP Option
The MSN-DNP program is offered on both a full-time and a part-time basis. MSN-DNP
students are required to attend a 2-day program orientation on the NMSU campus in
Las Cruces NM at the start of Fall semester in their first year.
Post-Master’s APRN Certificate
The post-Master’s APRN certificate programs are only offered as a 1-year, full-time
program of study. Certificate students are required to attend week-long clinical
seminar on the NMSU campus during the first week of the summer semester prior to
their first year in the program.
– 10 –
DISTANCE EDUCATION AUTHORIZATION
New Mexico is a member of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA)
and New Mexico State University is SARA institution. Members of SARA agree to
honor the regulatory requirements of each member state. If you live in a state
where SARA authorization is limited, we may not able to accept your application.
Please check the SARA authorization map if you are planning to apply to the
NMSU School of Nursing and reside outside of New Mexico. For more information
please visit the NMSU Online website and the NMSU SARA website.
Please note that some Boards of Nursing regulate nurse practitioner education.
Some states will not allow out-of-state programs with clinical practicum
experiences to be offered in their jurisdictions, or have specific requirements. The
NMSU School of Nursing is not responsible for nursing education program
requirements imposed by states other than New Mexico. We reserve the right to
choose not to submit applications for approval to conduct nursing education
activities to out-of-state boards of nursing or other state agencies that will require
substantial administrative time to complete and/or are cost prohibitive.
Please refer to the National Council for State Boards of Nursing and look up the
requirements for the state where you reside and with to conduct your clinical
training. Note that much of the information on the NCSBN website pertains to pre-
licensure programs (i.e., ADN/BSN). The SON graduate advisor may have more
information about post licensure (i.e., APRN/nurse practitioner) distance education
in your state.
– 11 –
GENERAL SCHOOL OF NURSING INFORMATION AND POLICIES
SCHOOL OF NURSING GRADUATE PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION
School of Nursing Director Dr. Alexa Doig
575-646-1668
Associate Director for Graduate Programs Dr. Wanda Borges
wjborges@nmsu.edu
MSN-DNP Track Director Dr. Stephanie Lynch
(MSN-DNP Faculty Advisor) srlynch@nmsu.edu
575-646-7792
FNP Specialty Track Director Dr. Linda Summers
(DNP & Certificate Faculty Advisor) [email protected]
575-646-3622
PMHNP Specialty Track Director Dr. Shelly Noe
(DNP & Certificate Faculty Advisor) [email protected]
575-646-5864
Director of Clinical Placements Dr. Elizabeth Kuchler
575-646-3787
SON Graduate Advisor Karen Pech
kpech@nmsu.edu
575-646-7770
SON Graduate Secretary Betty Adaime
adaime@ad.nmsu.edu
575-646-2041
SON DNP PROGRAM FACULTY (profiles on the SON website):
Wanda Borges, PhD, ANP
Conni DeBlieck DNP, RN
Alexa Doig PhD, RN
Thomas Hayth, DNP, FNP
Elizabeth Kuchler DNP, FNP
Stephanie Lynch PhD, FNP, PMHNP
Shelly Noe DNP, PMHNP
Anita Reinhardt, PhD, RN
Lori Saiki PhD, RN
Lindsey Schweiger, DNP, PMHNP
Linda Summers PhD, FNP, PMHNP
Justin White, DNP, PMHNP, LCSW
Jacqueline Williams, PhD, PMHNP
– 12 –
COMPUTER AND OTHER TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS
Students enrolled in a distance education program must have consistent and reliable
access to a computer and the internet. Familiarity and proficiency with technology is
the student’s responsibility. Hardware, software and network limitations or issues are
not acceptable reasons for late, missing or incorrect assignments. Both PC and Mac
environments are supported at NMSU.
The following is a list of required computer technologies:
1. Access to a desktop or laptop computer with high speed internet connection;
2. A web browser that supports the Canvas learning management system and
Zoom, a videoconferencing platform;
3. A current version of JAVA (www.java.com);
4. Microsoft Office 2010 or higher (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) – NMSU students
may download Office 365 for free;
5. Adobe Reader (for opening PDF files at www.adobe.com);
6. Webcam and microphone/headset for videoconferencing.
Student must be proficient at the following computer skills:
1. Navigate and search the Internet
2. Use e-mail
3. Attach document files in an email
4. Download and save files
5. Software: Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat, Zoom
Please note that there may be other hardware, software and network limitations or
issues that are not identified in this document.
NMSU’s Information & Communication Technologies (ICT) Customer Service
Center is equipped to answer your information technology (IT) questions.
Phone: 575-646-1840
E-mail: [email protected].
Website: http://help.nmsu.edu/
– 13 –
COMMUNICATION
The NMSU email system is the official communication avenue for the School of
Nursing. Faculty, staff, and students have an email account (@nmsu.edu) on the
University’s centralized mail server. Web access to e-mail is available when you
log in to My.NMSU.edu. Email sent to our central server can also be redirected to
any other existing email accounts on or off campus. Please email NMSU faculty
and staff from your NMSU email account.
ADMISSION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
CRITERIA FOR ADMISSION: BSN-DNP OPTION
Admission to the BSN-DNP program in the FNP and PMHNP specialties is a
competitive process. Selection of candidates for the BSN-DNP option is based on
the following criteria:
Minimum Requirements:
1. Successful admission to the NMSU Graduate School;
2. Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from a nationally accredited
nursing program (CCNE or ACEN);
3. BSN cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better (or graduate degree GPA > 3.0).
4. Current unencumbered RN license from one of the 50 U.S. States or Territories.
5. Evidence of a statistics course at the undergraduate or graduate level.
6. After an initial review of applications, selected applicants will be invited to
attend an interview with faculty (on campus or via video conferencing).
Admission decisions are based on:
• Nursing GPA (nursing courses only) and overall academic preparedness;
• Strength of references;
• Alignment of career goals with the DNP degree in the chosen specialty and
applicant understanding of the DNP degree;
• Work and clinical experience (general and in chosen specialty area);
• Quality of writing in submitted documents;
• Responses to interview questions during interview.
– 14 –
BSN-DNP Admission Policies:
1. Candidates selected for admission will be required to notify the SON of their
intent to intend the DNP program by the deadline in the admission letter.
2. BSN-DNP students are required to attend a 2-day program orientation on the
NMSU campus in Las Cruces NM at the start of Fall semester in their first year.
3. BSN-DNP students should attend the university’s New Graduate Student
Orientation or complete the online training prior to the SON’s program
orientation.
4. BSN-DNP students will have to meet all of the SON’s clinical clearance
requirements (including criminal background check and toxicology screen)
prior to enrolling in their first clinical course (NURS 565 in Summer Year 1).
Students who do not meet these requirements will not be allowed enroll in that
semester’s courses, which will affect progression or may result in program
dismissal. The SON assumes that RNs employed at most clinical
facilities/agencies are required to pass similar clinical clearance requirements,
which is why we do not require the submission of this documentation upon
admission. Students are responsible for ensuring that they will meet these
clinical clearance requirements (see page 37 in Student Handbook).
5. The SON cannot defer admission to a subsequent year. Applicants who
decline admission for any reason are required to re-apply during the next
application cycle.
– 15 –
CRITERIA FOR ADMISSION: MSN-DNP DEGREE OPTION
Admission to the MSN-DNP program is a competitive process. Selection of
candidates for the MSN-DNP option is based on the following criteria.
Minimum Requirements:
1. Successful admission to the NMSU Graduate School;
2. Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree from a nationally accredited
nursing program;
3. MSN cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.
4. Current, unencumbered APRN license from one of the 50 U.S. States or
Territories + national certification as a Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse
Specialist, Certified Nurse Midwife, or Certified Registered Nurse
Anesthesiologist.
5. Evidence of a statistics course at the undergraduate or graduate level (no time
limit);
6. Have completed the following courses in an APRN program:
a. Advanced pathophysiology across the lifespan
b. Advanced pharmacology across the lifespan
c. Advanced health assessment across the lifespan
Students must be able to provide a course syllabus for each of the above-
mentioned courses, if requested by the program. Approval must be obtained
from the Associate Director for Graduate Programs to add one or more of
these courses to the MSN-DNP degree plan.
7. After an initial review of applications, selected applicants will be invited to
attend an interview with faculty (on campus or via video conferencing).
– 16 –
Admission decisions are based on:
• MSN GPA and overall academic preparedness;
• Strength of references;
• Alignment of career goals with the DNP degree in the chosen specialty and
applicant understanding of the DNP degree;
• General clinical/work experience and clinical experience in chosen specialty
area;
• Quality of writing in submitted documents;
• Responses to interview questions during interview.
MSN-DNP Admission Policies:
1. Candidates selected for admission will be required to notify the SON of their
intent to intend the DNP program by the deadline in the admission letter.
2. MSN-DNP students are required to attend a 2-day program orientation on
the NMSU campus at the start of Fall semester in their first year.
3. MSN-DNP students will have to meet all of the SON’s clinical clearance
requirements (including criminal background check and toxicology screen)
prior to enrolling in their first clinical course (generally Spring semester of
Year 1). Students who do not meet these requirements will not be allowed
enroll in that semester’s courses, which will affect progression or may result
in program dismissal.
4. MSN-DNP students should attend the university’s New Graduate Student
Orientation or complete the online training prior to the SON’s program
orientation.
5. The SON cannot defer admission to a subsequent year. Applicants who
decline admission for any reason are required to re-apply during the next
application cycle.
6. Students are required to obtain official documentation or a letter from their
MSN program that clearly denotes the total number of supervised clinical
hours completed at the advanced practice level. A gap analysis to determine
the number of clinical hours required will be conducted upon admission by
the DNP program director.
– 17 –
CRITERIA FOR ADMISSION: POST GRADUATE APRN CERTIFICATE
Admission to the Post Graduate APRN certificate program is a competitive
process. Selection of candidates for the FNP and PMHNP certificates is based on
the following criteria.
Minimum Requirements:
1. Successful admission to the NMSU Graduate School;
2. Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree from a nationally accredited
nursing program;
3. MSN cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.
4. Current, unencumbered APRN license from one of the 50 U.S. States or
Territories + national certification as a Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse
Specialist, Certified Nurse Midwife, or Certified Registered Nurse
Anesthesiologist.
5. Have completed the following courses in an APRN program:
a) Advanced pathophysiology across the lifespan
b) Advanced pharmacology across the lifespan
c) Advanced health assessment across the lifespan
Students must be able to provide a course syllabus for each of the above-
mentioned courses, if requested by the program. Approval must be obtained
from the Associate Director for Graduate Programs to add one or more of
these courses to the certificate degree plan.
6. After an initial review of applications, selected applicants will be invited to
attend an interview with faculty (on campus or via video conferencing).
Admission decisions are based on:
• MSN GPA and overall academic preparedness;
• General clinical/work experience;
• Strength of references;
• Alignment of career goals with the chosen specialty;
• Quality of writing in submitted documents;
• Responses to interview questions during interview.
– 18 –
Post Graduate APRN Certificate Admission Policies:
1. Candidates selected for admission will be required to notify the SON of their
intent to intend the DNP program by the deadline in the admission letter.
2. MSN-DNP students are required to attend a 2-day program orientation on the
NMSU campus in Las Cruces NM at the start of Fall semester in their first year.
3. Certificate students will have to meet all of the SON’s clinical clearance
requirements (including criminal background check and toxicology screen) by
the deadline listed in the admission letter. Students who do not meet these
requirements will not be allowed enroll in courses, which will affect
progression or may result in program dismissal. Clinical clearance
requirements are outlined in the admission letter and on page 37 of this
handbook.
4. The SON cannot defer admission to a subsequent year. Applicants who
decline admission for any reason are required to re-apply during the next
application cycle.
5. Students are required to obtain official documentation or a letter from their
MSN program that clearly denotes the total number of supervised clinical
hours completed at the advanced practice level. A gap analysis to determine
the number of clinical hours required will be conducted upon admission by the
specialty track director.
– 19 –
PETITIONING FOR EXCEPTIONS TO ADMISSION CRITERIA
Exceptions to any of the program admission criteria are considered on an
individual basis and are at the discretion of the Graduate Committee and the
Associate Director of Graduate Programs. Requests for exceptions are made in
writing to the Associate Director of Graduate Programs. The SON Graduate
Committee will consider the petition at a regularly scheduled meeting during the
Spring or Fall semesters.
TRANSFER POLICIES
Students who were dismissed from a Master’s degree, DNP degree or certificate
program are generally not eligible to apply the NMSU SON graduate programs.
Students who have partially completed a DNP (or MSN) degree program at
another school and left in good standing may be eligible to apply to the NMSU
DNP program. Please contact the Graduate Advisor to determine eligibility.
– 20 –
ACADEMIC POLICIES
ADVISING
The formal academic advisor for BSN-DNP and certificate students is the
Specialty Track Director (FNP or PMHNP). The formal academic advisor for MSN-
DNP students is the DNP Program Director. See page 12 for contact information.
The student should contact their advisor for information related to procedures and
requirements for degree planning, changes in the program of study, course
advisement and transfer of credit from other institutions.
Student will also assigned a chair for the DNP Project, who will be the primary
advisor as the student develops and executes the required project. The student’s
project chair will sign off on the student’s degree plan, however the Specialty Track
Director must be consulted about any proposed changes to the degree plan or
program requirements.
DEGREE PLAN/PROGRAM OF STUDY
NMSU official requirements for School of Nursing graduate programs include all the
didactic and clinical requirements necessary for the awarding of the graduate degree
(or certificate) and eligibility for certification and licensing (where applicable).
The School of Nursing has developed degree plan documents that outline the required
sequence of courses and the total number of credits required for each DNP specialty
track and graduate certificate.
After a student has completed 12 credits of graduate work beyond the Master's
degree, or its equivalent, in residence at New Mexico State University, they should
complete the “Program of Study and Committee for Doctoral Students” form as
instructed. For courses already completed, grades must be listed. After
completing and signing the form, forward it to the Graduate Advisor (Karen Pech,
kpech@nmsu.edu) who will collect the rest of the required signatures.
– 21 –
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT
Courses taken via distance education are considered in-residence courses,
provided they are a part of the student’s approved plan of study. The requirements
for the BSN to DNP option require three years of study (9 semesters) beyond the
bachelor’s degree. The MSN-DNP option requires 5 semesters of study beyond
the Master’s degree. Attendance at the week-long Clinical Seminar (Boot Camp)
is part of the doctoral residency requirement.
TRANSFER OF CREDIT
DNP Program
The DNP degree consists of a minimum number of graduate level didactic course
credit hours as well as a minimum number of clinical hours. The total number of
required credits is based on the specialty area and/or program and is outlined on
the current degree plans. For more information about NMSU polices on transfer
credit, please visit the online NMSU Graduate Catalog.
The transfer of graduate credit from other universities or programs is not
automatic. In general, MSN courses are not eligible for transfer or waiver in
the MSN-DNP option. However, exceptions to this rule may be petitioned.
Students may seek approval for transfer credit or course waiver. All requests for
credit transfer are subject to approval by the Specialty Track Director (or DNP
Program Director for MSN-DNP students), Associate Director for Graduate
Programs CHSS Associate Dean and Dean of the Graduate School.
Only courses from an accredited institution in which a grade of B or better was
earned may be considered for transfer or waiver. No credit toward a graduate
degree may be earned through correspondence or through extension work for
another institution. Courses taken at a college or university on the Quarter system
will transfer to NMSU with a reduced number of credits, and therefore may not
meet program credit requirements.
Immediately after initial enrollment in the Graduate School, students must submit
forms to obtain formal permission to transfer graduate-level course work. Please
contact the Graduate Advisor (Karen Pech, [email protected], 575-646-7770) to
obtain the correct form and for information about the process.
At least 50 percent of the course credit toward the DNP degree must be
completed at New Mexico State University.
– 22 –
Post Graduate APRN Certificate
Students may not transfer credits from another institution towards the completion
of the certificate program offered by NMSU. However, students can transfer
credits taken in a graduate certificate program at NMSU into a graduate degree
program (e.g., the DNP degree) at NMSU. The number of transfer credits will be
determined by the degree plan. The time limit on courses transferred is five years
after the completion of the certificate.
For more information about NMSU polices on transfer credit, please visit the online
NMSU Graduate Catalog.
TIME LIMITATIONS FOR COMPLETION OF DEGREE
Students must complete all requirements for the degree, as outlined in the NMSU
Graduate School Catalog, within 5 years following completion of the doctoral
comprehensive exam. All coursework and the DNP Project final defense must be
completed within 7 years of the date the first doctoral credit is earned. Adhering to
the SON’s degree plan and the DNP project schedule helps ensure a steady
progress towards degree completion.
Students will be dismissed from the DNP or certificate program for failure to
progress if this time limit is exceeded. A petition for an extension may be submitted
to the Graduate Advisor. The petition must be approved by the student’s Specialty
Track Director and the Associate Director for the Graduate Programs. If the petition
is approved in the SON, it is then forwarded to the Graduate School for approval.
– 23 –
ABSENCES
Do not plan vacations during the semester. If you must miss a class session,
assignment/exam or a clinical experience, please notify the course faculty and
supervisor (e.g., preceptor) in advance, if possible. If there are extenuating
circumstances (e.g., serious illness, injury, or personal emergency) that might
require a prolonged absence, please contact the course faculty immediately and
notify them as to the circumstances. The course faculty will notify your Specialty
Track Director, the DNP Program Director, and if necessary, the Associate Director
for Graduate Programs if a review of policy is required. It is at the discretion of the
course faculty whether or not make-up work will be permitted.
Please note that advanced notification for planned absences may be necessary in
the clinical setting to prepare clients and to arrange any backup coverage.
Leave of Absence
A student wishing to discontinue study for one or more semesters must submit a
Graduate School Leave of Absence form to the SON Graduate Advisor. The
request should include the beginning date and the anticipated ending date for the
period of absence. LOAs must be approved by the student’s advisor appropriate
(i.e., Specialty Track Director), the department head (i.e, SON Director) and the
Graduate School.
A graduate student on leave of absence will be expected not to use university
facilities and place no demands upon the university faculty and staff, and,
therefore will pay no fees. Time spent in the “leave-of-absence” status will not be
counted toward the advanced degree time limits.
A graduate student who fails to obtain a leave of absence from the Graduate
School will be considered withdrawn from the university by the Graduate School.
In order to resume studies after such absences, the student must go through the
formal readmission process.
In making a decision whether or not to grant a LOA to a student, the School of
Nursing will take into consideration if faculty or other program resources will be
available for students upon return to the program.
– 24 –
CHANGING SPECIALTY AREAS
Students may not switch between specialties within the DNP or certificate
programs without the approval of the Graduate Programs Committee and the
Associate Director for Graduate Programs. Students wishing to make a change
must withdraw from their current specialty track and petition for readmission to the
DNP or certificate program with a transfer into another track. Approval is also
based on space available. The Graduate School must be notified of changes to
the specialty track.
ACADEMIC RECORDS
Students may have access to their academic records maintained in the School of
Nursing Student Advising Office. Students may request access to their file by
making an appointment with their Specialty Track Director or the Graduate
Advisor.
GRADING POLICIES AND GRADE REQUIREMENTS
SON Graduate Programs Grading Scale
A – 90% – 100%
B – 80% -89%
C – 70% -79%
D – 60%-69%
F – 60%
S (satisfactory) – > 80%
U (unsatisfactory) – < 79%
Each course syllabus contains specific information about how grades are
calculated.
S/U Grading
Under S/U grading, the instructor assigns an S grade for satisfactory achievement
of the course learning objectives (equivalent to the letter grade of B or higher) and
a U grade for unsatisfactory performance in the class. U indicates that the student
has stopped work or is doing work of unacceptable quality.
If a student accumulates a total of two U (unsatisfactory) grades in courses
numbered either NURS 690, 681, 682, 683, 698 or 699 the student will be placed on
provisional status. If three U (unsatisfactory) grades are reported for any of these
courses, the student will be dismissed from the program and Graduate School.
– 25 –
Incomplete Grades
The letter grade of I (Incomplete) is assigned for passable work that could not be
completed due to circumstances beyond the student’s control that develop after
the last day to withdraw from the course. In no case is an I grade to be used to
avoid the assigning of D, F, or U grades for failing work. The School of Nursing
follows the NMSU policy for Incomplete “I” grades. Receiving an “I” grade may
affect student progression in the program. When making up an I grade, work
submitted for grades in the course cannot be resubmitted. “I” grades need to be
completed before the student may progress in the DNP or certificate program.
ACADEMIC PROGRESSION
In accordance with NMSU Graduate School policies, DNP and certificate students
maintain at least a 3.0 Grade Point Average (GPA). Students must earn a grade of B or
better in all required courses in order to progress to the next semester. DNP
coursework is leveled, therefore in most instances all courses assigned to each
semester must be completed before progressing to the next semester.
A student who does not register for or withdraws from one course in the student’s
degree plan will be placed on academic probation (see page 28). Not completing a
course in the degree plan may result in substantial delays since many courses are pre-
requisites for others. If the student does not register for or withdraws from more than
one course during the same semester (or in a future semester) they must write a formal
appeal to the SON Graduate Programs Committee to remain in the program. If this
appeal is denied, the student is eligible to re-apply to the program and re-interview with
program faculty. If approved to return by the Graduate Programs Committee they will
be placed at the appropriate level of the curriculum if there is space available.
CONDITIONS FOR READMISSION
Other than dismissal related to Comprehensive Exam failure.
DNP students who do not enroll in doctoral program courses for one (1) academic
year (fall, spring, summer semesters) must make a formal request to the SON
Graduate Programs Committee for readmission. If the request is granted, the student’s
Specialty Track Director will, in consultation with the Associate Director for Graduate
Programs, stipulate any coursework to be repeated. If during the student’s absence,
the curriculum or admission standards have changed, the student is expected to meet
any new admission standards and/or fulfill the requirements of the current curriculum.
– 26 –
Students not in good standing with the NMSU SON or Graduate School (i.e.,
dismissed for academic reasons), have not met current NMSU program
requirements, or have committed academic or non-academic misconduct at the
time they ceased coursework shall not be readmitted to the program.
ACADEMIC GRIEVANCE POLICY
Students who wish to appeal a decision or awarding of a grade by a faculty member
must follow the student grievance procedure outlined in the Graduate Student
Academic Grievances (Policy 5.14) in the
NMSU Student Handbook.
It is recommended that students who wish to question a course or assignment grade
exhaust informal procedures before enacting the formal appeal/grievance process. The
informal process begins with discussing the issue/concern with the individual faculty
member. If a resolution is not found, the student and faculty member can seek
guidance from the DNP Program Director. Unresolved issues at this level may then be
brought to the attention of the Associate Director for Graduate Programs.
Students who wish to formally appeal a decision or awarding of a grade by a faculty
member are advised to contact the Associate Director for Graduate Programs or the
SON Director for assistance with this process.
CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE TO PROGRESS
Academic Probation and Suspension
Academic standing is based on both the student’s GPA in the program and cumulative
GPA. Academic records of all graduate students are reviewed at the end of each
semester. If a nursing graduate student earns a C grade in any course, they must
repeat that course and cannot enroll in any subsequent course for which the course is
a prerequisite. A subsequent grade of C in a course or any 2 C’s across the DNP
curriculum will result in dismissal from the program. In addition, a grade of D, F, or U
in any course results in dismissal from the DNP program. See the NMSU System
Academic Regulations under the heading of “Academic Probation and Suspension” for
policies specific to graduate students.
– 27 –
If the course for which the student earns a “C” grade includes a clinical component, the
clinical hours must also be repeated even if the student had achieved satisfactory
performance. Receiving an unsatisfactory grade may substantially affect student
progress towards graduation. Re-enrollment is not automatic and is contingent upon a
space available basis. Thus, if the student falls out of course sequence, the student may
have to wait until space is available in another cohort.
Program Dismissal
Dismissal from the DNP program or Post Graduate APRN certificate program may
result from the following:
1. The student earns two (2) C grades (in the same or different courses).
2. The student earns a grade of D, F or U in a single course (including failure to
make progress in the DNP project resulting in a U grade).
3. Failure to enroll in classes (see page 27 – Academic Progression)
4. Serious academic misconduct as defined in NMSU Student Academic
Code of Conduct.
5. Unsafe or unprofessional behavior in clinical practice (see page 42 in
handbook).
6. Any other violation of the NMSU Student Academic Code of Conduct or the
NMSU Standards for Student Social Conduct.
Dismissal Appeals
The School of Nursing uses the NMSU grievances procedures for appeals of
program dismissal. Please contact the SON Director for assistance with this
process.
– 28 –
POLICIES CONCERNING SUBMISSION OF WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS
• All assigned papers and projects will be typed or word-processed and double-
spaced.
• All students are required to use the most current edition of the
Publication
Manual of the American Psychological Association
(
APA
) for all written papers
(exception is DNP project final paper, which may use the chosen journal’s style
and reference format).
• Any assigned papers and projects will be considered late if they have not been
presented to the course professor at the announced time and date due. Any
late papers may have a penalty attached or may not be accepted. Students
with extenuating circumstances are expected to contact the course faculty prior
to the assignment deadline.
• Students may use editors for their papers. Editing of student work by others is
limited to assistance with grammar, punctuation, and style only; the substance
of the paper must be the student’s original work. If an editor is used, the student
must provide the course professor may require the draft of the paper at the
point it is given to the editor when the final paper is submitted.
• Student papers for School of Nursing graduate courses must be submitted
through a plagiarism analysis software application called Turnitin that is
accessed through the Assignment tool in Canvas (see below).
ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT AND PLAGIARISM
Students are responsible for adhering to the policies and procedures related to
academic integrity found in NMSU Graduate Catalog and NMSU Student
Handbook. For further information you may refer to the NMSU Student Handbook,
specifically the Student Academic Code of Conduct-Academic Integrity (Policy
5.10). The School of Nursing follows the university’s Procedures to Respond to
Allegations of Student Academic Misconduct (Policy 5.11), including guidelines for
sanctions.
– 29 –
Use of Turnitin
Student papers for School of Nursing graduate courses must be submitted through a
plagiarism analysis software application called Turnitin that is accessed through the
Assignment tool in Canvas. Students will be permitted to check their analysis prior to
the final submission, therefore it is recommended that this check is conducted well
before the assignment deadline. The analysis must indicate an overall source
similarity content of 20% or less (without references and citations). Papers with a
similarity index of greater than 20% will not be accepted or will receive a grade of zero
(0). SON faculty reserve the right to submit any and all student work, including but not
limited to course papers, discussions, presentations, written exams, and DNP project
papers, to Turnitin or a similar plagiarism checker at the faculty member’s discretion.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is defined as the use of another person’s work without acknowledgment,
making it appear to be one’s own. Any ideas, words, pictures, or other intellectual
content taken from another source must be acknowledged in a citation that gives
credit to the source. The prohibition of plagiarism applies irrespective of the origin of
the material, including the Internet, another person’s work, unpublished materials, or
oral sources. Intentional and unintentional instances of plagiarism are considered
instances of academic misconduct.
A special case of plagiarism is the unacceptable practice of “self-plagiarism” in which
an author will use segments of his/her own material (e.g., a paper from a previous
course) in a new assignment without reference. Unless given explicit permission from
the course faculty, work from one course may not be submitted as work for another
course. The exception is using written work from course assignments in the DNP
project papers or PowerPoint presentations.
Assignments and other types of submitted student work that contain plagiarism is
not acceptable as scholastic work and may, at the very least, result in a zero for
submitted work. The SON follows the university’s definitions and policies in the
NMSU Student Code of Conduct. All incidences of plagiarism and other forms of
academic misconduct (e.g., cheating, misrepresentation, etc.) identified by faculty or
administrators will be reported to the NMSU Academic Conduct Officer who will
provide guidance on consequences and sanctions.
– 30 –
ETHICS
All students in the School of Nursing are expected to behave with the highest of
ethical standards. To guide the student along the path of ethical nursing practice,
the SON uses the
American Nurses Association Code of Ethics for Nurses
:
1. The nurse, in all professional relationships, practices with compassion and
respect for the inherent dignity, worth, and uniqueness of every individual,
unrestricted by considerations of social or economic status, personal
attributes, or the nature of health problems.
2. The nurse’s primary commitment is to the patient, whether an individual, family,
group, or community.
3. The nurse promotes, advocates for, and strives to protect the health, safety, and
rights of the patient.
4. The nurse is responsible and accountable for individual nursing practice and
determines the appropriate delegation of tasks consistent with the nurse’s
obligation to provide optimum patient care.
5. The nurse owes the same duties to self as to others, including the responsibility
to preserve integrity and safety, to maintain competence, and to continue
personal and professional growth.
6. The nurse participates in establishing, maintaining, and improving healthcare
environments and conditions of employment conducive to the provision of
quality health care and consistent with the values of the profession through
individual and collective action.
7. The nurse participates in the advancement of the profession through contributions
to practice, education, administration, and knowledge development.
8. The nurse collaborates with other health professionals and the public in
promoting community, national, and international efforts to meet health needs.
9. The profession of nursing, as represented by associations and their members,
is responsible for articulating nursing values, for maintaining the integrity of the
profession and its practice, and for shaping social policy.
American Nurses Association,
Code of Ethics
(2001)
The SON also expects all students to follow the NSMU Student Code of Social Conduct.
– 31 –
DISTANCE EDUCATION/ONLINE LEARNING
The DNP degree program and the certificate program are distance education
programs that use a variety of educational methodologies for the delivery of the
didactic courses. Online learning, sometimes referred to as e-learning, is a form of
distance education. Online courses are delivered over the internet and are
accessed from a computer with an internet/web browser (e.g., Chrome, Safari,
Fire Fox, etc.). All NMSU courses use Canvas as the learning management system
for course delivery.
Online courses can be asynchronous or synchronous. Most distance education
courses in the School of Nursing blend asynchronous and synchronous methods.
Definitions:
Asynchronous – no scheduled class sessions, however there are generally
regularly scheduled deadlines and other requirements.
Synchronous – students meet with their faculty online at a specified time.
Online Course Policies
Distance education programs are ideal for students whose work schedule or
family commitments don’t allow them to attend classes on campus. Distance
education can provide you with the opportunity to meet your educational goals as
an advanced practice registered nurse while remaining in your community.
However, online learning requires self-discipline and motivation–you will be
primarily responsible for your own learning!
Because of the amount of content and the complexity of concepts covered, online
courses at the NMSU School of Nursing do not have flexible scheduling. The following
are the School of Nursing course policies (additional policies are listed in each course
syllabus):
1. Students are expected to meet deadlines for assignments, which may include
papers, quizzes, exams, online discussions, group projects and learning
experiences.
2. Students are required to participate in on-line discussions and activities on a
regular basis.
3. Student are expected to participate in scheduled video discussions/meetings
using video conferencing (Zoom).
– 32 –
GRADUATION
Students who successfully complete their plan of study/degree (and DNP project
for DNP students) are eligible for graduation. Students apply for graduation
through their myNMSU account during the graduation application period.
To officially graduate from NMSU in a particular semester, all work must be
completed according to the deadlines in the calendar on the NMSU Graduate
School calendar. In addition, the student must apply for graduation prior to that
semester’s deadline. Failure to apply for graduation will result in delays in degree
posting. In some cases, the student may not graduate until the following semester,
which can affect their ability to become employed as a nurse practitioner.
For more details, please review the Graduate School’s graduation information.
STUDENT REPRESENTATION ON SON COMMITTEES
Student representatives to the School of Nursing committees afford students the
opportunity to influence school and program policies. The committees on which
student members may serve are the Graduate Programs Committee and the
Student Affairs Committee. Student members of a school committee must be in
good academic standing. Student members may vote, but may not serve as a
Committee Chair or secretary.
PROGRAM EVALUATION
Students are included in the ongoing process of course and program through end
of semester course evaluations and on program committees. Students are
expected to provide feedback on all courses through the final course evaluation
available via Canvas. Each year, representatives from the different graduate
programs are invited to serve as student representatives on the SON Graduate
Programs Committee. Graduates of the program are encouraged to participate in
alumni surveys (sent upon graduation and within 1 year following graduation)
and to keep the School of Nursing informed of licensing and certification status.
– 33 –
CLINICAL COURSE POLICIES
GENERAL CLINICAL PRACTICUM POLICIES
1. All SON clinical experiences are conducted with clinical affiliates only when there is
an approved and signed affiliation agreement between NMSU and the clinical
partner. A list of current affiliation agreements and preceptors used in past
semesters is posted on the Graduate Programs Canvas course.
2. All clinical experiences are directly supervised by a qualified preceptor (varies by
course objectives). Students are responsible for identifying an appropriate clinical
preceptor, however these preceptors must be approved by faculty.
3. One credit is given for 64 hours of supervised clinical practice.
4. For each clinical course, the NMSU SON faculty member assigned in the NMSU
course schedule has the responsibility of 1) approving practice sites and preceptors,
2) orienting preceptors, 3) providing indirect supervision, and providing
feedback/determining the student’s grade in the course.
5. Clinical experiences will not start until all clinical forms/paperwork (preceptor
approval, clinical clearances, etc) have been approved by course faculty and by the
DNP Program Director. An approval letter will be sent to the HR department and/or
the preceptor when all approvals are finalized. Clinical hours obtained before
approvals are issued are nullified.
6. Clinical hours (with appropriate patient/client information) must be documented in
Medatrax within 2 weeks of completion otherwise those hours will not count
towards the requirement in the course.
7. Students must have clinical hours with a nurse practitioner – the number of which
are determined in each course.
8. The clinical practicum component of a course will be graded pass/fail. A passing
grade in the clinical component of the course is required to pass the full course. A
passing grade means that a student has met all of the clinical competencies listed
on the courses’ clinical evaluation tool as determined by the assigned faculty
member with input from the preceptor. If a student fails the clinical component of
the course, then the course faculty will assign a grade of ‘C’ or ‘F’ depending on 1)
the degree to which the clinical competencies were not met and 2) the student’s
performance in the didactic portion of the course.
– 34 –
CLINICAL PRECEPTORS AND AFFILIATION AGREEMENTS
Students are responsible for identifying and contacting potential preceptors for
their clinical courses (including leadership practica) and submitting a completed
Preceptor/Field Supervision Biographical Data Form along with a current (< 2
years old) resume, if one is not already on file. This form and supporting
documentation are submitted to the Specialty Track Director for FNP and PMHNP
students and the DNP Director for MSN-DNP students. Preceptor biographical and
CV information will be reviewed for suitability with the particular clinical experience
requested. Students may not conduct clinical experiences in units where they are
currently employed.
All SON clinical experiences are conducted with clinical affiliates only when there
is an approved and signed affiliation agreement between NMSU and the clinical
partner.
Contact the SON Graduate Secretary (Betty Adaime, [email protected]du) to
determine if the SON already has an affiliation agreement with this agency. If
there is no affiliation agreement, the student must provide the name of the agency,
the name of a contact person (with email and phone number) to the Graduate
Secretary with faculty approval of the preceptor. The Graduate Secretary will
begin the process of approval by contacting the agency and is responsible for
tracking those agreements through each level of approval. The student will be
notified when the affiliation agreement has final approval.
Students should plan to initiate an affiliation agreement with an institution where
none exists at least 3-6 months in advance of the start of the clinical course.
Affiliation agreements have to be approved by the NMSU Office of General
Counsel and often the agency’s legal department. Therefore, you should be
anticipating your “next” semester’s clinical placement and PLAN ahead. Delay in
establishing your clinical experience may delay your progression in the program.
Note: A current affiliation agreement must be in place for the facility/agency where
the DNP project work will be conducted.
– 35 –
CLINICAL PRACTICE HOURS
In accordance with the
AACN Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced
Nursing Practice (2006)
and
American Nurses Credentialing Center
(ANCC)
,
DNP
graduates must complete a minimum of 1,000 supervised clinical hours within the
student’s chosen specialty track (FNP or PHMNP). In accordance with the ANCC,
Post Graduate APRN certificate students complete a minimum of 576 clinical
hours (9 credits).
The MSN-DNP student must be able to document a minimum of 1000 supervised
clinical hours performed in their previous MSN degree and the current DNP
degree. Hours working as a licensed APRN (or other professional) cannot count
towards the 1000 hours requirement. MSN-DNP students are required to submit,
as part of the application/admission process, documentation of clinical hours
completed in their APRN MSN degree program. NURS 698 Advanced Practice
Nursing may be used to achieve a minimum of the total of 1,000 clinical hours (1
credit = 64 hours). Please note that all MSN-DNP students will be required to
complete a minimum of two (2) credits of residency (128 hours) during the DNP
program even if their previous MSN program required 1,000 or more hours.
New Mexico participates in the State Authorization and Reciprocity Association
(SARA). Students from outside New Mexico should check the NMSU SARA map
and the National Council for State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) distance education
website to determine if NMSU may conduct clinical education in that state. If not,
the student will need to participate in clinical experiences in New Mexico or in
another state where these activities are not prohibited. Students who need to
complete supervised clinical hours in New Mexico, are required to have proof of
an eNLC license or NM RN or APRN license.
– 36 –
The following policies apply to clinical hours for the DNP and Post Graduate
certificate programs:
1. Students in the DNP program MAY NOT complete clinical hours in their
workplace unit. All clinical experiences and preceptors are subject to approval
by clinical course faculty.
2. All clinical practice hours must be satisfactorily completed for a passing grade
in a course. Unsatisfactory work or incomplete clinical practice hours, as
determined by course faculty, will result in a failing grade in that course.
3. While completing clinical hours each semester please make sure you keep
your shifts no longer than 12 hours, with no more than 50 hours completed
per week.
4. Students may not complete clinical hours outside of the official semester (e.g.,
during semester breaks). Completing clinical hours specifically to “bank” them
for another course is not permitted. Each practicum course has specific
learning objectives and outcomes that must be met and cannot be completed
outside of the specific course.
5. Clinical practicum hours and patient information are documented in an
electronic database (Medatrax). Orientation to the Medatrax occurs prior to
the start of the clinical courses.
Required Clinical Hours in Specified Patient Populations and Clinical Settings
Course faculty will work with students to identify the number of hours that each
course required in specific population groups or settings. Course faculty make the
final determination of the number of hours required in these specific population
groups or settings. There may be specific course requirements based on the
learning objectives.
– 37 –
PMHNP Specialty
BSN–DNP students complete 832 supervised clinical hours in Year 3 in NURS 660,
662 and 664. Students must meet the following requirements for patient contact
hours with the following age groups.
• Children 13 years and under: 64 hours minimum
• Children/Adolescents (18 years and under): 192 hours minimum
(includes 64 hours with children 13 years and under)
• Age 50 and over: 128 hours minimum
Post Graduate APRN Certificate students complete 576 supervised clinical hours in
NURS 660, 662 and 664. Students must meet the following requirements for
patient contact hours with the following age groups:
• Children 13 and under –minimum 64 hours
• Children/Adolescents (18 years and under): 192 hours minimum
(includes 64 hours with children 13 years and under)
• Age 50 and over – 128 hours minimum
BSN-DNP and Post Graduate APRN Certificate students must complete a
minimum of 64 supervised clinical hours, but no greater than 128 hours in the
inpatient/hospital setting.
Note: Psychiatric Partial Hospitalization Programs and Intensive Outpatient
Programs count as outpatient/community-based experiences, not as inpatient
experiences for clinical practicum hours.
– 38 –
FNP Specialty
BSN–DNP students complete 832 supervised clinical hours in Year 3 in NURS 671,
672 and 673. Students must meet the following requirements for patient contact
hours with the following age groups.
• Children 13 and under: 128 hours minimum
• Children/Adolescents (18 years and under): 256 hours minimum
(includes 128 hours with children 13 years and under)
• Age 50 and over: 128 hours minimum
Post Graduate APRN Certificate students complete 576 supervised clinical hours in
671, 672 and 673. Students must meet the following requirements for patient
contact hours with the following age groups:
• Children 13 and under – minimum 64 hours*
• Age 60 and over – 64 hours minimum*
*The number of practicum hours with patients within these and other age groups
will be determined by your clinical course faculty or the FNP specialty track
director after a review of your current APRN practice.
ALTERNATIVE CLINICAL CREDIT
Clinical hour substitutions are not granted by the NMSU SON Graduate Programs.
CLINICAL CLEARANCES
Prior to starting each clinical course, students will be required to meet all of the
clinical clearance requirements for the School of Nursing (and the clinical agency if
any additional items are required). All costs associated with these clearances are the
responsibility of the student. Failure to compete clearance requirements will result in
program dismissal. Positive toxicology results and/or criminal background checks
that do not meet the NM Department of Health (DOH) clearance standards will result
in an inability of the student to enroll in the clinical course and/or dismissal from the
program. Clinical clearance requirements at specific clinical agencies may change
during the academic year. Students will be required to meet any new requirements.
– 39 –
Clinical agencies require that each of these requirements is valid through the end
of an academic semester (April 30, July 31, or November 30 respectively). It is the
student’s responsibility to assure documentation of all required clearances are
received/uploaded by the required deadlines. The School of Nursing sends
students information about how to obtain background checks and drug testing.
Background Check
Criminal background and fingerprinting checks are required annually for all
students enrolled in clinical courses/practicum hours. These requirements are
subject to change as federal, state and agency regulations change.
Drug Testing
In order for students to participate in clinical experiences at affiliated healthcare
agencies, a 10-Panel drug screening test is required annually. Clinical agencies
and the School of Nursing reserve the right to require random drug testing at any
time. Pending return of the drug screening results from a random test, students
may not be permitted to attend clinicals within the specific agency. Furthermore, if
a student-caused delay in testing occurs (e.g., student fails to show up to a drug
testing appointment), the student will not be able to attend their clinical practicum.
In the event of a "positive" test, the student may appeal the findings as outlined by
the procedures for the drug testing company or specific health agency. A student
with a substantiated "positive" drug test will be referred to the Associate Director
for the Graduate Programs. A "positive" drug test may prevent the student from
enrolling in the clinical course and may result in program dismissal. Falsification of
drug testing will result in immediate dismissal from the program.
The School of Nursing is automatically sent a copy of your results, therefore, there
is no need to forward your results to the nursing office.
Required Screening for Disease and Immunizations
It is essential that nursing graduate students do everything possible to prevent
spreading communicable diseases to their patients and to the community. For this
reason, the School of Nursing and the local health care agencies have established
minimum guidelines for immunization for nurses and other health care workers.
If you need immunizations, you may obtain them from your primary care provider.
If you are a full or part-time student at NMSU, you may obtain your immunizations
from the NMSU Aggie Health & Wellness Center on the Las Cruces campus.
– 40 –
The following is a summary of the clinical clearance requirements:
REQUIREMENT
ACCEPTED
NOT ACCEPTED
Background check
Clear or minor offenses (e.g., traffic
tickets). Students and faculty are
screened through the NM DOH
Criminal Caregivers program.
Major offenses against people (e.g.,
child abuse, drug trafficking).
Cardiopulmonary
Resuscitation
(CPR)
American Heart Association (AHA)
approved Basic Life Support (BLS) for
health care providers.
American Red Cross (ARC) or other
online only certifications.
Drug Testing
10 panel test on urine through
www.CastleBranch.com. Students
are screened at the beginning of the
program and annually.
A screen with fewer than 10
substances.
Positive results (without a validated
medical reason, use of medical
marijuana not permitted).
Hepatitis B
3 vaccines (usually the 2
nd
is given 1
month later and the 3
rd
is given 4-6
months later) of any of these brand
names: Energix B, Recombivax HB, or
Twinrix AND a positive titer of
antibodies in the blood. Students can
begin with 1 or 2 vaccines and then
complete the series later.
Havarix A vaccine (this is for Hepatitis
A).
Negative or Equivocal titer requires
revaccination of the series but not an
additional titer. The student has
presumptive immunity after the
second series per CDC guidelines.
Influenza (flu)
Flu immunization (injected or
intranasal) every winter (September
through March).
Pneumonia vaccine (this is for a
different organism). The injectable
form can be given to pregnant
women, but not the intranasal form. If
the immunization is declined, then
many agencies require personnel to
wear a mask.
Measles (Rubeola)
2 doses of the MMR vaccine that are
at least 28 days apart (if born before
1957, then 1 dose)
AND a positive titer to each virus.
Note: Titers to all 3 are required.
Negative or Equivocal titer to any
virus requires revaccination of the
series but not an additional titer. The
student has presumptive immunity
after the second series per CDC
guidelines.
Note: Rubella vaccine should NOT be
given to pregnant women (a provider
note is needed).
Mumps
Rubella (German
measles)
Tetanus,
Diphtheria, and
Pertussis (TDaP)
A vaccine (or booster) within the last
10 years containing Pertussis.
Tetanus and Diphtheria only
Tuberculosis (TB)
A 2-step TB Skin Test (TST, PPD,
Positive skin test
– 41 –
Mantoux) is required every 12
months that is negative (less than 15
millimeters of induration). The 2-step
process is one skin test and reading
followed by a second skin test and
reading 7-21 days after the first test;
OR a negative blood test (T-Spot TB
test or QuantiFERON®-TB Gold);
OR if person ever had a positive skin
test result, then one negative chest x-
ray AND a yearly negative screening
of TB symptoms.
Note: people who had the BCG
vaccine can have TB tests.
Positive chest x-ray or symptom
report.
Positive blood test
Varicella (Chicken
pox)
Adults: 2 vaccines that are at least 28
days apart;
OR 1 vaccine given before 13 years of
age;
AND a positive titer
Reports from providers or from
individuals that they have had the
disease. Negative or Equivocal titer
requires revaccination of the series
but not an additional titer. The
student has presumptive immunity
after the second series per CDC
guidelines.
Varicella vaccine should NOT be
given to pregnant women (a provider
note is needed).
Clinical Agency
Orientations
Students may need to complete
agency orientations for fulfill other
requirements.
No documentation of orientation
completion.
– 42 –
LIABILITY INSURANCE
DNP and certificate students who are participating in school-sanctioned clinical
experiences are covered by the New Mexico Risk Management Pool. It is not
necessary to provide documentation of additional malpractice insurance for
student clinical experiences. The NMSU coverage is only valid for participation in
activities required for specific nursing courses and does not cover nursing or
nurse practitioner activities performed beyond the requirements of the nursing
program.
PROFESSIONAL APPEARANCE
Projecting a professional appearance is a responsibility of all students and faculty.
Proper attire and appearance enhances both your credibility and that of the
University with clients, their families, and agency personnel.
Please follow the following guidelines: Perfumes, colognes, and body odor should
be avoided. Your hair and body should be clean and free of offensive odor. Use
deodorant, bathe daily and practice good oral hygiene. Your clothing should be
clean, of good repair, and appearance. The smell of tobacco odor on clothing,
breath, skin, or hair is an impediment to health, can be offensive, and is not
acceptable. While students are expected to bring smart phones to clinical for
access to references, students should not access email, text messaging, or call
features while engaging in patient care.
CONFIDENTIALITY
It is the responsibility of every nursing student to safeguard the patient's or client's
right to confidentiality in all aspects of care. It is the patient's or client's right to
determine the degree of self-disclosure and to whom. Revealing self-disclosed
information potentially damages a person’s reputation or employment
opportunities.
Elements of patient or client information are to be discussed only within the realm of
the appropriate clinical/educational setting; e.g., planning conferences, post-clinical
conferences, classroom seminars. It is a serious breach of confidentiality to discuss
information outside of clinical conferences, seminars, client-centered conferences with
agency staff, and appropriate classes. A nursing student who breaches confidentiality
is subject to clinical probation or dismissal from the program. One's nursing practice
must honor the element of trust given by patients and clients as they share potentially
– 43 –
vulnerable aspects of their lives. A breach of confidentiality is grounds for dismissal.
Students
may not
photocopy/duplicate any patient/client record from any clinical
agency. Your clinical agencies may require you to sign a confidentiality statement
prior to participating in agency activities.
PATIENT/CLIENT SAFETY
The safety and well-being of the patients and clients with whom students work
while in the graduate program are of utmost importance and concern to faculty,
the program, and the department. The following are guidelines to assist students
in ensuring the safety and well-being of patients/clients. Violation of these
guidelines may be grounds for corrective action or dismissal from the program.
Unsafe and/or inappropriate clinical practice includes, but is not limited to,
situations where the student:
1. Violates or threatens the biophysical, psychosocial, and cultural safety of the
patient/client;
2. Assumes inappropriate independence in actions and decisions, including
failure to maintain regular and timely communication with faculty about clinical
objectives and performance;
3. Fails to recognize and to act upon own limitations, incompetence, and/or
responsibilities;
4. Fails to interact effectively with other members of the health care team;
5. Fails to function in a legal manner as defined by the nurse practice act of the
state or territory in which the student is practicing/conducting clinical practica;
6. Fails to function in an ethical manner as identified in the ANA
Code of Ethics for
Nurses
(2001).
– 44 –
CLINICAL SEMINAR – ‘BOOT CAMP’ (NURS 690)
The School of Nursing holds a mandatory clinical seminar on the NMSU Las
Cruces campus (called ‘Boot Camp’) for DNP and certificate students. BSN to DNP
students are required to attend the weeklong seminar and register for 1 credit of
NURS 690 during the Summer semester of Year 2. Certificate students are required
to attend the clinical seminar during the Summer semester prior to starting the
program. Certificate students are not obligated to register for NURS 690.
Bootcamp is generally held during the first week of the Summer semester. The
Graduate Advisor will send out the summer seminar dates in January.
Bootcamp covers a wide array of clinical skills for the FNP and PMHNP students
who will be entering their clinical practicum experiences in the Fall semester.
Examples of skills for the FNP students include interpreting X-rays and laboratory
findings, clinical documentation, cultural competency, as well as suturing and other
office procedures. Examples of skills for the PMHNP students include SBIRT
training, clinical documentation, cultural competency, as well as mental status
exam and other evaluation tool use. Non-attendance in any or all of the seminar
activities will result in non-progression and possible dismissal. Students are
expected to attend all sessions offered and to be punctual to each session.
– 45 –
DNP COMPREHENSIVE AND FINAL EXAM POLICIES
In addition to completion of the required coursework and clinical practicum hours,
NMSU Graduate School requirements for the DNP degree are as follows:
1. The comprehensive exam (with passing marks)
2. Completion of the DNP project (with passing marks)
The NMSU School of Nursing has defined the comprehensive exam as:
1. Proposal defense PowerPoint (or equivalent) presentation file (written
component);
2. Executive Summary- 1-2 page narrative summary of the project proposal.
3. Literature review in narrative format that identifies the rationale the
conducting the project, including choice of proposed intervention, program,
or other solution to the clinical problem identified (written component);
4. Oral defense of the proposal in front of the student’s DNP project committee
(oral component).
In order to fulfill the requirements of the DNP degree, each student will develop,
implement and evaluate a project that focuses on a clinical or health policy
problem. The project must demonstrate the knowledge and skills acquired outlined
in AACN’s Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice.
The NMSU School of Nursing has defined the DNP project as:
1. Institutional Review Board (IRB) application (cannot be submitted until after
project proposal is approved by committee);
2. Execution of the approved project as outlined in the DNP proposal defense;
3. A professional poster that summarizes the project components, including
outcomes and conclusions;
4. Oral (public) defense of the project outcomes and conclusions (called the
oral final exam);
5. A manuscript that summarizes the project components, including outcomes
and conclusions.
Specific requirements for the DNP project are included in a document titled
‘
NMSU School of Nursing DNP Project Guidelines
’, which is posted in the
graduate student Canvas course.
– 46 –
DNP PROJECT COMMITTEE
The DNP project committee is formed for the purpose of guiding and advising the
DNP student through comprehensive exam, project, and final defense/exam. The
DNP project committee is also responsible for evaluating the student’s work and
determining the outcome of the ‘exams’.
The DNP Project Committee consists of a committee chair, and two (2) other
members assigned by the program or chosen by the student. The chair and other
committee members must be 1) School of Nursing faculty with a doctoral degree
and 2) be a member of the NMSU Graduate Faculty (see below). The choice of the
DNP Project Committee Chairperson is based on the student's proposed area of
study and the faculty member's expertise and interests. The DNP project chair
should be the committee member most competent to supervise the proposed
project as a whole, but need not be the primary resource person for all aspects of
the project. BSN-DNP students must have at least one faculty member on their
committee who is certified in their specialty (FNP or PMHNP). The DNP program
director will assist in identifying a project chair and the project chair will help the
student identify other committee members. A fourth committee member, the
Dean’s representative, is a Graduate Faculty member from an NMSU department
from outside of the School of Nursing. The Associate Director for the Graduate
Programs will assist in identifying the Dean’s representative.
SON Faculty with Graduate Faculty Status (profiles on the SON website):
Linda Blizzard PhD, RN
Conni DeBlieck DNP, RN
Alexa Doig PhD, RN
Randee Greenwald PhD, FNP
Teresa Keller, PhD, RN
Elizabeth Kuchler DNP, FNP
Stephanie Lynch PhD, FNP, PMHNP
Shelly Noe DNP, PMHNP
Linda Summers PhD, FNP, PMHNP
Anita Reinhardt, PhD, RN
Lori Saiki PhD, RN
Jacqueline Williams, PhD, PMHNP
To formalize the committee, the student lists all committee members on the
Program of Study and Committee for Doctoral Students
form and submits it to the
SON Graduate Advisor. The School of Nursing Associate Director for Graduate
Programs must approve committee membership.
– 47 –
DNP Project Chair’s Responsibility
The project chair assumes primary responsibility for guiding the student through
each phase of the DNP project including determining the topic and scope project,
identifying additional project committee members, and providing feedback on the
project proposal and final paper. In addition, the project chair will help the student
identify timelines, assists the student in acquiring Institutional Review Board (IRB)
approval for the DNP project, and provides guidance during the execution of the
project. The project chair generally reviews written components of the project prior
to sending them to other committee members.
Changes in DNP Project Committee Membership
Changes in the DNP project committee membership Change requests are to be
made on the Program of Study and Committee for Doctoral Students form
available at: http://gradschool.nmsu.edu/. The Associate Director for Graduate
Programs must approve all requests.
– 48 –
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
In the written and oral components of the comprehensive exam, DNP students
must address the following: theory, evidence-based practice, health care systems,
and advanced practice nursing roles.
The oral proposal defense date is scheduled by the SON Graduate Advisor. The
Graduate School must be notified of the student’s defense date at least 10 days
prior to the scheduled day/time.
The following requirements for the oral final project defense must be met:
• Members of the committee should receive the written components
(PowerPoint presentation and Literature Review) at least 2 weeks prior to the
defense date.
• All members of the committee must be present at the presentation. In rare
cases, one (and only one) committee member may be present via
videoconferencing. In the event of an emergency in which the chair cannot
be present in person, the following protocol will be followed: vice-chair (a
member of the committee appointed by the chair in consultation with the
student) assumes responsibility of chair.
• After the presentation of the project proposal, the student and the audience are
asked to leave the room while the committee discusses the project, identifies
any changes or additional work to be done, and determines the outcome of
the project final defense. The student is then invited back into the room and is
informed of the outcome (see below).
– 49 –
The student must satisfactorily pass both components of the ‘exam’ and must
demonstrate the attainment of the
Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced
Nursing Practice.
The student’s DNP project committee determines the outcomes
of the comprehensive exam. There are three possible outcomes:
1. Pass: Successful completion of both written and oral components of the
comprehensive exam.
2. Fail: A student who fails the written portion of the exam may rewrite the exam
or portions of the exam one time. If the rewrite is unsatisfactory, the student
must wait one regular semester before attempting the comprehensive exam
again. For a failure of the oral component, the student is subject to dismissal
from the DNP program. The student may petition the SON Graduate Programs
Committee to repeat the final exam after one regular semester has passed. A
failure in the second attempt will result in dismissal from the DNP program with
no further appeal.
3. Adjourn: In some cases, the committee chair may elect to adjourn the DNP
Project Proposal Defense due to circumstances affecting the exam
process. Examples include absence of any committee member, technical
difficulties or equipment failure, of if the student is not able to fully participate in
the defense. After adjournment the exam must be rescheduled within 3
weeks. Students may not progress if either part of the comprehensive exam
has been adjourned.
The School of Nursing follows the Graduate School policies and procedures
related to the comprehensive exam.
Advancement to Candidacy
After the student has successfully completed the comprehensive exam, a
completed and signed copy of the Professional Doctoral Examination form is filed
in the student’s SON file and submitted to the Graduate School. When the DNP
student has a plan of study approved by the Graduate School, and has passed the
DNP comprehensive exam, the student advances to candidacy and may list
‘DNPc’ after their name and other credentials.
– 50 –
DNP PROJECT
Conducting the DNP Project
After the project proposal has been approved by the project committee, the
process of executing the project and collecting data may begin. If the student's
project involves the use of primary or secondary data on human subjects, both
human study approval by the IRB must be obtained before data collection begins.
Specific requirements for the DNP project are included in a document titled
‘
NMSU School of Nursing DNP Project Guidelines
’, which is posted in the
graduate student Canvas course.
Human Subjects Approval
Before beginning data collection (or analysis of pre-existing data), the student
must assure the protection of human rights by having the proposal reviewed and
approved by the NMSU Institutional Review Board (IRB).
Every student project must be assessed by the IRB to conform to 45 CFR 46: The
Federal Regulations Governing Human Experimentation, or determined to be
exempt from those regulations according to criteria set forth in the regulations.
Prior to submitting a proposal to the IRB each investigator must complete the self-
study modules on the topic of responsible conduct of human subjects research
available free of charge through the CITI Program. The project chair (identified in
the IRB application as the faculty advisor) is ultimately responsible for the
accuracy of the information provided on any IRB application and will be required
to approve the IRB application after it is submitted by the student. The time the IRB
takes to approve a project varies with the type of project (exempt vs. expedited vs.
full board review).
Students are required to close all projects with the IRB prior to graduation by
submitting a final report.
More information about completing the IRB application is included in a
document titled ‘
NMSU School of Nursing DNP Project Guidelines
’ and a series of
instructional videos, which are posted in the graduate student Canvas course.
– 51 –
FINAL PROJECT DEFENSE/EXAM POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Once the DNP project is completed and outcome data is collected and analyzed,
the student is required to develop a professional poster or a PowerPoint
presentation that summarizes the project components, including outcomes and
conclusions. A manuscript that summarizes the project components, including
outcomes and conclusions is also required. The oral defense of the project
outcomes and conclusions is the final component of the DNP project and is open
to the public (faculty, students, family members, community members, etc). These
components are considered the ‘final exam’ by the Graduate School.
The final project defense date is scheduled by the SON Graduate Advisor. The
Graduate School must be notified of the student’s defense date at least 10 days
prior to the scheduled day/time. The SON Graduate Advisor email a public
announcement of the presentation to the faculty in the School of Nursing 10 days
prior to the defense date.
The Dean’s representative on the project committee and the project committee
chair will receive the
Report of the Final Defense
form from the Graduate School
prior to the scheduled defense. The forms are brought to the defense by the
Dean’s representative and are submitted to the SON Graduate after the defense.
– 52 –
The following requirements for the oral final project defense must be met:
• The student must be enrolled in a minimum of one (1) credit related to the DNP
project during the semester that they are defending.
• Members of the committee should receive the project manuscript at least 2 weeks
prior to the defense date. A committee member may recommend postponing the
defense if the manuscript does meet expectations. The final decision about whether
or not to proceed is made by the project chair, in consultation with the student.
• All members of the committee must be present at the presentation. In rare cases, one
(and only one) committee member may be present via videoconferencing. In the
event of an emergency in which the chair cannot be present in person, the following
protocol will be followed: vice-chair (a member of the committee appointed by the
chair in consultation with the student) assumes responsibility of chair.
• After the public presentation of the project, the student and the audience are
asked to leave the room while the committee discusses the project, identifies
any changes or additional work to be done, and determines the outcome of
the project final defense. The student is then invited back into the room and is
informed of the outcome (see below).
The student must satisfactorily pass both components of the ‘final exam’ and must
demonstrate the attainment of the
Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced
Nursing Practice.
The student’s
DNP project committee determines the outcomes of the
final exam. There are three possible outcomes for this exam:
1. Pass: Successful completion of both written and oral components of the exam.
2. Fail: A student who fails the written portion of the exam may rewrite the exam
or portions of the exam one time. If the rewrite is unsatisfactory, the student
must wait one regular semester before attempting the final exam again. For a
failure of the oral component, the student is subject to dismissal from the DNP
program. The student may petition the SON Graduate Programs Committee to
repeat the final exam after one regular semester has passed. A failure in the
second attempt will result in dismissal from the DNP program with no further
appeal.
– 53 –
3. Adjourn: In some cases, the committee chair may elect to adjourn the DNP
Project Proposal Defense due to circumstances affecting the exam
process. Examples include absence of any committee member, technical
difficulties or equipment failure, of if the student is not able to fully participate in
the defense. After adjournment the exam must be rescheduled within 3
weeks. Students may not progress if either part of the exam has been
adjourned.
The committee discusses with the student any changes or additional work to be
done and establishes a time by which such changes or additions are to be
submitted. If the changes or additions are minor, committee members will usually,
as a matter of convenience, sign the Project Approval Page and Report of the Final
Defense. The chairperson, however, will not sign, date, or submit either form until
all changes or additions have been submitted and determined to be acceptable.
If major changes or additions to the DNP project are required, a date will be
established for their presentation and defense. Neither the chair nor the members
will sign and date the forms with a recommendation of approval until these major
changes or additions have been presented and the entire project (paper and
presentation) are determined to be satisfactory.
The School of Nursing follows the Graduate School policies and procedures
related to the final exam.
– 54 –
ADDITIONAL UNIVERSITY POLICIES AND RESOURCES
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA) covers issues relating to disability and accommodations. If a student
has questions or needs an accommodation in the classroom (all medical
information is treated confidentially), contact:
Student Accessibility Services (SAS)
Corbett Center, Rm. 244 Phone: (575) 646-6840
E-mail: sas@nmsu.edu Website: https://sas.nmsu.edu/
Student Responsibilities:
1. Register with SAS and obtain accommodation documents early in the
semester.
2. Deliver the completed accommodation and testing form(s) to the instructor(s)
within the first two weeks of beginning of classes (or within one week of the
date services are to commence).
3. Retrieve the signed form(s) from faculty and return to SAS within five (5) days of
receipt from faculty at least one week before any scheduled exam, and
4. Contact the SAS Office if the services/accommodations requested are not
being provided, not meeting your needs, or if additional accommodations are
needed. Do not wait until you receive a failing grade. Retroactive
accommodations cannot be considered.
Faculty Responsibilities:
1. Sign the ACCOMMODATION REQUEST FORM and TESTING
ACCOMMODATION FORM (when presented), retain a copy and return the
original to the student within five (5) working days of receipt;
2. Contact SAS immediately if there are any questions or disputes regarding
accommodation(s), disruptive behavior, etc.; and
3. Refer the students to SAS for any additional accommodations;
– 55 –
DISCRIMINATION
NMSU policy prohibits discrimination on the basis of age, ancestry, color, disability,
gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, retaliation,
serious medical condition, sex, sexual orientation, spousal affiliation and protected
veterans status.
Furthermore, Title IX prohibits sex discrimination to include sexual misconduct,
sexual violence, sexual harassment and retaliation. For more information on
discrimination issues, Title IX or NMSU's complaint process contact:
Office of Institutional Equity (OIE), O'Loughlin House
Phone: (575) 646-3635
E-mail: equity@nmsu.edu
Website: https://equity.nmsu.edu
OTHER NMSU RESOURCES
NMSU Police Department
NMSU Police Victim Services
NMSU Counseling Center
NMSU Dean of Students
For Any On campus Emergencies
(575)-646-3311/www.nmsupolice.com
(575)-646-3424
(575)-646-2731
(575)-646-1722
911
WRITING CENTER
Students are encouraged to use the Writing Center to improve their writing skills
and the quality of their papers (located in Room 102, English Building; phone 575
646-5297). Please note this is an on-campus resource only.
– 56 –
STUDENT SERVICES
NMSU offers a variety of support and services for students. A listing of services is
available online at: http://success.nmsu.edu/.
CHILDREN IN THE ACADEMIC WORKPLACE
New Mexico State University is a thriving center of education and research which
encourages supervised events on campus for children as well as adults.
However, the ability to concentrate for extended periods of time is a prerequisite
within a healthy academic environment. Students, staff, faculty, and
administrators can expect to attend and teach class, or complete work or
research in laboratories, libraries, offices, and other workplaces with a minimum of
distractions or interruptions. Consequently, the following regulations have been
established, and will be enforced by the appropriate dean or administrative
supervisor, to ensure that an appropriate academic environment is maintained.
1. Children visiting campus must be closely supervised by an adult at all times.
2. Children will be prohibited from entering dangerous settings such as labs and
equipment rooms without the approval of the appropriate dean or
administrative supervisor.
3. Children may not attend a class in session without the prior approval of the
class instructor. Children under the care of the instructor may not attend
class without the prior approval of the immediate supervisor.
4. Children may, on rare occasions and with the approval of the supervisor,
accompany a parent to the workplace. However, the expectation is that
parents will make alternate arrangements for the care of their children during
normal working hours.
5. Children taking part in programs and/or special events on campus are
expected to abide by the rules and regulations established by the program or
event sponsors.
