PARTNERING TODAY TO PARTNERING TODAY TO CREATE TOMORROW’S CREATE TOMORROW’S

LEADERS: LEADERS: THE Rush-Xavier MSN-DNP THE Rush-Xavier MSN-DNP

PROGRAMPROGRAM

The educators at Rush University College of The educators at Rush University College of Nursing and Saint Xavier University School of Nursing and Saint Xavier University School of Nursing (SXU) have developed an innovative Nursing (SXU) have developed an innovative model that builds upon the strengths of both model that builds upon the strengths of both institutions to facilitate the seamless transition institutions to facilitate the seamless transition of students from a Master’s degree granting of students from a Master’s degree granting institution (SXU) into a Doctor of Nursing institution (SXU) into a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at Rush.Practice (DNP) program at Rush.

The Rush DNP program is designed for The Rush DNP program is designed for master's prepared nurses with master's prepared nurses with demonstrated leadership ability. demonstrated leadership ability.

It prepares students to be leaders able to It prepares students to be leaders able to affect change through:affect change through:* system redesign and * system redesign and * evidence-based decision making * evidence-based decision making in a variety of clinical, organizational and in a variety of clinical, organizational and

educational systems.educational systems.

A WIN-WIN FOR THE PARTNERSA WIN-WIN FOR THE PARTNERS

• Since SXU is not authorized to grant doctoral degrees in Since SXU is not authorized to grant doctoral degrees in nursing: nursing:

* Collaboration with Rush enables SXU to offer a * Collaboration with Rush enables SXU to offer a facilitated admission into doctoral education for facilitated admission into doctoral education for their MSN students. their MSN students.

• It is advantageous to Rush to have:It is advantageous to Rush to have:

* early identification of qualified students* early identification of qualified students

* focused career progression advisement * focused career progression advisement

* a cadre of local students prepared for doctoral * a cadre of local students prepared for doctoral study. study.

A WIN FOR THE STUDENT, TOOA WIN FOR THE STUDENT, TOO

• SXU and Rush are two private universities in the SXU and Rush are two private universities in the Chicago metro area committed to providing a Chicago metro area committed to providing a quality graduate nursing education. quality graduate nursing education.

• Through early identification and review of Through early identification and review of materials, students receive timely guidance on materials, students receive timely guidance on how to proceed.how to proceed.

• Application paperwork is reduced; students pay Application paperwork is reduced; students pay one application fee.one application fee.

• Partnership provides a seamless way for Partnership provides a seamless way for focused students to achieve their career goals.focused students to achieve their career goals.

PLANNING THE PARTNERSHIPPLANNING THE PARTNERSHIP

• Dean to Dean discussion to establish common groundDean to Dean discussion to establish common ground• Task force established with key representatives from Task force established with key representatives from

both institutionsboth institutions• Subcommittees organized to work on admissions Subcommittees organized to work on admissions

procedures, curriculum integration, marketing, etc.procedures, curriculum integration, marketing, etc.• Dialogue between institution’s respective task forces and Dialogue between institution’s respective task forces and

their facultiestheir faculties• General meeting for review of recommendations from General meeting for review of recommendations from

task forcestask forces• Development of detailed timeline that considered the Development of detailed timeline that considered the

approval mechanisms of both institutionsapproval mechanisms of both institutions• Introduction of partnership to the publicIntroduction of partnership to the public

Who should seek admission?Who should seek admission?

• SXU master’s students who:SXU master’s students who:* have embarked on a leadership career * have embarked on a leadership career trajectory and trajectory and *need no more than one year to successfully *need no more than one year to successfully complete the SXU master’s program. complete the SXU master’s program.

• Two admission options are possible:Two admission options are possible:1. Expedited Admission - 1. Expedited Admission - meets all joint admission requirements, meets all joint admission requirements, maintained a 3.0 GPA at SXU, strong leadership background and project maintained a 3.0 GPA at SXU, strong leadership background and project proposal proposal

2. Qualified Admission - 2. Qualified Admission - good potential but applicant needs good potential but applicant needs additional leadership preparation to be ready for admission into the DNP additional leadership preparation to be ready for admission into the DNP program. “Bridge” experiences would be created in which SXU faculty program. “Bridge” experiences would be created in which SXU faculty mentor students to enhance leadership skillsmentor students to enhance leadership skills

ENSURING SUCCESSENSURING SUCCESS

• Collaborators not competitors – congruent Collaborators not competitors – congruent philosophiesphilosophies

• Acceptable student poolAcceptable student pool• Similar economicsSimilar economics• Collegial relationshipsCollegial relationships• Institutional championsInstitutional champions• Real timelinesReal timelines• Maintain momentum Maintain momentum