Registered Nurse to Doctor of Nursing Practice (RN-DNP)

School of Nursing Mission

Allen College Nursing Programs prepare professional graduates who meet essential nursing practice standards in a variety of settings, caring for diverse individuals, families and populations. These programs emphasize the values of inclusion, scholarship, experiential and lifelong learning, service and interprofessional partnerships.

School of Nursing Philosophy

The philosophy and purpose of the nursing programs arise from the mission, philosophy and goals of Allen College. The faculty values the goals of higher education and supports the missions of teaching, scholarship, practice and service.

Nursing is an art and science that is continuously evolving through the synthesis of theory and knowledge. Caring and professionalism are the essence of nursing practice. As a holistic and humanistic profession, nursing is committed to addressing the individualized health-related needs of diverse clients. Nurses apply the nursing process while using healthcare technologies, evidence, critical thinking and clinical judgment to provide person-centered care. Nurses collaborate with other members of the interprofessional health care team in the delivery of safe, high quality, culturally sensitive care to diverse individuals, families and populations, with an emphasis on improving health outcomes within complex healthcare systems.

The faculty believes in an equitable and inclusive approach to nursing education, recognizing the uniqueness of each learner. The teaching-learning process involves a dynamic interaction among faculty, learner and environment. Faculty consider learning an active, lifelong, self-motivated process necessary for professional, personal and leadership development. Knowledge, skills and attitudes are best transferred using principles of good teaching and a variety of teaching methods in diverse settings. The Allen College faculty value service as an extension of learning that fosters the development of a sense of caring for others.

MSN and PGC Program Goals 

• prepare graduates to assume professional roles and responsibilities consistent with standards of advanced practice and leadership in the profession;
• prepare graduates to integrate evidence-based practice to improve healthcare outcomes for diverse individuals, families and populations; and
• prepare graduates to engage in the profession and contribute to society through service, personal growth and life-long learning. 

DNP Program Goals 

• develop practice leaders in advance nursing roles to drive innovation through the translation of evidence across community and healthcare settings; 
• prepare advanced practice nursing leaders to meet the healthcare needs of diverse populations through curricular and experiential learning; and
• provide leadership and clinical scholarship to optimize health care outcomes across systems. 

MSN Program Graduate Outcomes

In concert with the Philosophy of Allen College, the master’s graduate will: 

• Synthesize knowledge from nursing science and related disciplines to develop a foundation to guide practice. 
• Provide organizational and systems leadership in practice, service and scholarship. 
• Apply quality principles to promote patient safety and positive individual and systems outcomes. 
• Use scholarly inquiry and evidence to advance the practice of nursing. 
• Use informatics and healthcare technologies to enhance patient care and to improve healthcare systems. 
• Employ advocacy strategies to influence health policy and to improve outcomes of care. 
• Collaborate within inter-professional teams to manage and improve health care services for individuals, families and populations. 
• Integrate patient-centered and culturally responsive strategies into the delivery of clinical prevention, health promotion and population-focused services.

PGC Program Graduate Outcomes:

In concert with the Philosophy of Allen College, the certificate graduate will:

• Synthesize knowledge from nursing science and related disciplines in order to develop a foundation to guide practice.
• Apply quality principles to promote patient safety and positive individual and systems outcomes.
• Collaborate within inter-professional teams to manage and improve health care services for individuals, families and populations.
• Integrate patient-centered and culturally responsive strategies into the delivery of clinical prevention, health promotion and population-focused services.

DNP Program Graduate Outcomes

In concert with the Philosophy of Allen College, the doctorate graduate will:

• Practice at the highest level of nursing through integration and application of nursing science in clinical practice, management and education. 
• Demonstrate organizational and systems leadership to advance quality improvement and systems change. 
• Apply analytical methods and research to develop best practices and practice guidelines.
• Use information systems and technology-based resources to support clinical and administrative decision making and to improve the health care of individuals, families and populations. 
• Advocate for healthcare change through policy development and evaluation. 
• Assume leadership roles in inter-professional collaboration to improve the health outcomes of individuals, families and populations. 
• Incorporate a firm conceptual foundation for clinical prevention and population health. 
• Synthesize advanced practice nursing knowledge and competencies into the practice role.

Applicants and current students must be aware select states require approval prior to Allen College offering online courses and clinical study in those states. Additionally, a state certification or governing licensing board may also require prior approval for an Allen College student to engage in clinical study within the state. Therefore, Allen College cannot guarantee out-of-state clinical or practicum placement. Allen College also cannot guarantee students maintaining residency in a state other than Iowa will be allowed to enroll in online courses.

Applicants planning to maintain residency in any state other than Iowa and planning to enroll in an online course or engage in clinical study in any state other than Iowa, should consult an admission counselor prior to applying to Allen College.

The Iowa Code (Chapter 147.3) states that conviction of certain felonies will make an individual ineligible for licensure. Previous conviction of a felony does not automatically bar an individual from eligibility for licensure. After completion of a nursing education program, the student will file an application for licensure with a state board of nursing. At that time, the board of nursing may review any felony convictions to determine eligibility for licensure.