Nursing Practice

Program Description: Nursing Practice at The University of New Mexico

The Nursing Practice program at The University of New Mexico is designed to prepare students for advanced roles within the healthcare sector, emphasizing comprehensive clinical skills, evidence-based practice, leadership, and healthcare policy. This program provides a robust education that combines rigorous coursework with extensive hands-on clinical experiences, enabling graduates to deliver high-quality patient care across diverse healthcare settings.

Students enrolled in the Nursing Practice program will engage with a curriculum that covers advanced health assessment, pharmacology, pathophysiology, and nursing leadership. The program also focuses on developing critical thinking, independent decision-making, and effective communication skills essential for nursing professionals. Faculty members, who are experts in their fields, mentor students through academic coursework, simulation labs, and supervised clinical rotations in hospitals, clinics, and community health organizations.

The program aims to prepare students for roles such as Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Leaders, and other advanced practice nursing positions. Graduates will be equipped to assess, diagnose, and manage patient health conditions, deliver holistic and patient-centered care, and collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams. The program also emphasizes the importance of cultural competence and health promotion strategies to address health disparities and serve diverse populations.

The University of New Mexico's Nursing Practice program is committed to fostering a learning environment that encourages innovation, research, and lifelong professional development. It adheres to the highest standards of nursing education and prepares graduates to meet the evolving demands of healthcare in New Mexico and beyond. Upon completion, students will have the qualifications necessary to obtain licensure and certification, positioning them as leaders in the healthcare community and advocates for patient health and wellness.

This program is ideal for registered nurses seeking to advance their careers or healthcare professionals aiming to expand their scope of practice. With a strong emphasis on practical skills, ethical practice, and interdisciplinary collaboration, the Nursing Practice program at The University of New Mexico offers an exceptional pathway for those committed to making a positive difference in healthcare.

The College of Nursing offers five D.N.P. concentrations in two tracks:

Administration Track

• Nurse Executive Organizational Leadership (NEOL)

Practice Track

• Clinical

D.N.P. Core Courses:

Clinical Concentration

Nursing Executive Organizational Leadership Concentration (NEOL)

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) doctoral degree is designed for individuals in senior leadership roles who seek to lead complex clinical systems. The Nurse Executive Organizational Leadership (NEOL) concentration provides a curriculum that leads to a D.N.P. for students who enter the program with a B.S.N. and a Master’s degree in a related field (M.B.A., M.P.A., M.P.H., M.S.A., or a Master's degree in Nursing with a Nurse Administration concentration, or a related M.S.N., e.g. informatics, health policy, clinical, etc.) and have at least three years of progressive management experience, or equivalent as determined by the application committee. Graduates of the NEOL concentration are experts in designing, implementing, managing, and evaluating clinical care and health care delivery systems and are prepared to lead at the highest clinical executive ranks.

The NEOL concentration has the following requirements:

* Thirty-seven credit hours is the most common requirement as determined from past experience. The Residency and Capstone courses are variable-hour courses, allowing students to take additional clinical/practice hour credits should their Master’s program not provide sufficient hours to meet accreditation standards. Students should meet with their advisor to ascertain their individual requirements.

** This reflects clinical hours earned in the D.N.P. program; students' total clinical hours dependent on their prior Master's clinical/practice hours.

Clinical Concentration Admission Criteria

• Bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited school or university. (RN’s with baccalaureate degree in non-nursing fields are considered on an individual basis).
• Master’s degree as an Advanced Practice Nurse, Certified Nurse Midwife or Clinical Nurse Specialist from a nationally accredited program.
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 in nursing courses at the master’s level.
• Current and unencumbered Registered Nurse and Advanced Practice or Midwifery license from the state in which the applicant will be completing their practicum, submitted with the application.
• Current national certification in their specialty. A copy must be submitted with the application.
• Agree to sign a commitment to enroll in the program of study with course sequencing, and must participate in the required annual D.N.P. residency week held on campus the summer semester of each year.
• Participate in a personal interview (to be arranged by the D.N.P. Program Admissions Committee) and can be conducted in person, by phone, or Web-based conferencing.
• Letter of intent which specifies short and long term professional goals, and a clear statement of how the D.N.P. will advance the applicant's clinical nursing practice.
• Current Curriculum Vitae or Resume.
• Two to three page essay that identifies a system or population focus and related health problem area the applicant intends to address as part of their D.N.P. program of scholarship.
• Three professional references from those who know the applicant's work well and can comment on abilities to succeed in doctoral education and an advanced leadership role. At least one must be from an individual who has evaluated the applicant's work in the past, such as a professor or supervisor.
• Official transcripts from each college or university ever attended.

Nurse Executive Organizational Leadership Concentration Admission Criteria

• Must have either a B.S.N. or a Master’s degree in a related field (M.B.A., M.P.A., M.P.H., M.S.A.), or a Master's degree in Nursing with a Nurse Administration or related concentration (informatics, health policy, clinical, etc.), and have at least three years of progressive management experience, or the equivalent as determined by the application committee.
• Applicants who do not meet the M.S.N. in Nursing Administration requirement are admitted to the D.N.P. NEOL program predicated on passing a compressive exam by the end of the first semester. Should the student not pass the examination, she/he is required to complete an Independent Study designed to address areas for improvement identified in the examination.
• Applicants must have at least a 3.0 GPA at the master’s level (with a 3.5+ GPA preferred).
• Minimum of three years in progressive nursing management or leadership practice management.
• Must have a graduate level inferential statistics course within the past five years or complete one within the program of studies.
• Current and unencumbered RN license from one of the 50 U.S. states or territories; if an advanced practice nurse or certified in a nursing specialty, a copy of the applicant's advanced practice license or certification must be submitted.
• Must agree to sign a commitment to enroll in the program of studies course sequencing based on terms and must participate in the required annual D.N.P. residency week held on campus the summer term of each year.
• Personal interview is arranged and can be conducted in person, by phone, or Web-based conferencing.
• A letter of intent which specifies career goals and a clear statement of how the D.N.P. will advance the applicant’s executive administrative practice.
• Current Curriculum Vitae or Resume.
• Submission of either a two to three page scholarly document with a description or an example of a specific health care administrative problem that the applicant would like to see changed (preferably the D.N.P. Project idea), or a first-authored scholarly publication.
• Three references from those who know the applicant’s work best and can comment on the applicant’s abilities to succeed in a higher level and advanced nursing executive role. These may be from a professor, supervisor, or colleague (no more than one may be from colleagues).
• Official transcripts from each college or university attended.
• Must have pre-arranged practice site(s) for the residency and capstone courses, and meet all clinical clearances and liability of those site(s). All practice sites, liabilities and clearances must be obtained by end of first term of enrollment.

Scholarships

• College of Nursing Scholarships
• Teaching Assistantship

The University of New Mexico offers a comprehensive Nursing Practice program designed to prepare students for advanced roles in the healthcare field. This program focuses on developing clinical, leadership, and critical thinking skills necessary for providing high-quality patient care. Students in the Nursing Practice program engage in a rigorous curriculum that combines theoretical coursework with extensive hands-on clinical experience in diverse healthcare settings. The program emphasizes evidence-based practice, patient safety, health promotion, and health maintenance across the lifespan. It also prepares graduates to assume roles as nurse leaders, educators, and health policy advocates, contributing to the improvement of healthcare systems. The curriculum includes specialized courses in advanced health assessment, pharmacology, pathophysiology, and healthcare ethics. Students benefit from state-of-the-art simulation labs and partnerships with local hospitals and clinics, providing real-world experience. The program adheres to national nursing accreditation standards and prepares students for licensure as registered nurses, as well as for potential further specialization or graduate studies. Graduates of the Nursing Practice program at UNM are well-equipped to meet the complex healthcare needs of diverse populations and to take on leadership roles within the nursing profession. The program promotes not only clinical excellence but also cultural competence, community engagement, and lifelong learning to ensure nurses remain adaptable in a rapidly evolving healthcare environment.