Doctor of Nursing Practice: Family N.P.

The BSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track offers RNs with a bachelor of science degree in nursing doctoral-level training to become a FNP. The DNP FNP program emphasizes clinical reasoning at the highest level, preparing graduates to be nursing leaders who deliver patient-centered care as members of interdisciplinary teams emphasizing evidence-based practice, quality improvement, health policy/economics, and informatics. In addition, there are international clinical opportunities throughout the program.

Coursework culminates in an evidence-based DNP project that provides opportunities for innovation and collaboration in areas such as patient-centered care, system influences on care providers, and population-focused healthcare. The program can be completed in 3.5 to 4 years. A plan of study will be developed with the academic advisor to meet individual student needs.

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing, the Master of Science in Nursing and the Doctor of Nursing Practice programs in the School of Nursing, Education and Human Studies are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Graduates of the FNP program are eligible to take the FNP specialty ANCC or AANP national certification exam.

Contact Information

Stephanie Jacobs, DNP, FNP, CNM, PhD-C
Director, DNP Program
Assistant Professor of Nursing
412-397-6885 (office)
jacobss@rmu.edu

4-Year Course Plan

Year 1 - Fall Semester

• NURS 8050 Applied Statistics for Evidence Based Practice
• NURS 8010 Advanced Pathophysiology
• NURS 8040 Clinical Teams & Teamwork I

Year 1 - Spring Semester

• NURS 8110 Advanced Pharmacology
• NURS 8130 Advanced Physical Assessment/Diagnosis
• NURS 8135 Advanced Physical Assessment/Diagnosis Practicum

Year 1 - Summer Semester

• NURS 8120 Health Promotion/Clinical Prevention
• NURS 9150 Diagnosis & Management of Women’s Health
• NURS 9155 Diagnosis & Management of Women’s Health Practicum

Year 2 - Fall Semester

• NURS 9170 Diagnosis & Management of Adults I
• NURS 9175 Diagnosis & Management of Adults I Practicum
• NURS 8020 Research & Theory

Year 2 - Spring Semester

• NURS 9270 Diagnosis & Management of Adults II
• NURS 9275 Diagnosis & Management of Adults II Practicum
• NURS 8030 Principles of Epidemiology
• NURS 9311 Principles of Family Practice

Year 2 - Summer Semester

• NURS 8150 Integrating Research & Practice
• NURS 9120 Health Assessment of Children and Adolescents
• NURS 9125 Health Assessment of Children and Adolescents Practicum

Year 3 - Fall Semester

• NURS 9140 Diagnosis & Management of Health Care Conditions in Children
• NURS 9145 Diagnosis & Management of Health Care Conditions in Children Practicum
• NURS 8230 Clinical Genetics

Year 3 - Spring Semester

• NURS 9160 Clinical Diagnostics
• NURS 9165 Clinical Diagnostics Practicum
• NURS 8140 Evidence Based Practice for Advanced Nursing Roles

Year 3 - Summer Semester

• HSIC 8060 Health Policy
• HSIC 8070 Health Economics
• NURS 9130 Information Systems and Evidence-Based Practice

Year 4 - Fall Semester

• NURS 9220 Diagnosis & Management of Geriatric Clients
• NURS 9225 Diagnosis & Management of Geriatric Clients Practicum
• NURS 8210 Health Law & Ethics

Year 4 - Spring Semester

• NURS 9610 Practice Management Issues/Role Integration
• NURS 9260 Applying Evidence-Based Practice In Health Care Settings

Admission Requirements

• Admission to DNP Programs

DNP Faculty Bios

Dr. Lynda J. Davidson is a Professor of Nursing in the School of Nursing and Health Sciences at Robert Morris University. She earned her Doctorate of Philosophy at Case Western Reserve University. Her research interests involve activity and attitudes of online faculty and teaching strategies for graduate students.  She has multiple publications over the past years.

 

Dr. Stephen Foreman is Professor of Health Economics at Robert Morris University, Pittsburgh, PA where he teaches health economics, health policy, statistics and health law and ethics in the University’s graduate programs.  Dr. Foreman has been a Fulbright Scholar at the Crimea State Medical University, Simferopol, Crimea, where he lectured and conducted research in comparative international health policy. His research focuses on structure, performance and strategy in health insurance, hospital and physician markets and health insurance data. His work includes the international economics of aging, economic mechanisms as they relate to corruption and the economics of human trafficking.  Dr. Foreman holds a Ph.D. in Health Economics from the University of California, Berkeley, a J.D. with Honors from the University of North Carolina and a Master in Public Administration from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government where he was a Littauer Fellow.

Dr. Susan Hellier is a professor at Robert Morris University where she teaches women’s health, research, and physical assessment in the School of Nursing and Health Sciences.  In addition, she is on the medical staff at Magee Women’s Hospital of UPMC where she works in the obstetrical/gynecological out-patient clinic.  Her research focus is education of healthcare providers.  She is an experienced presenter at conferences and well-published in women's health topics. Dr. Hellier received her Ph.D. from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, her DNP from Waynesburg University, and her nurse practitioner training at the University of Pittsburgh. 

Dr. Kirstyn Kameg is a University Professor of Nursing at Robert Morris University and Coordinator of the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program. She has been a nurse educator and practicing Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner since 2000. She has published and presented extensively on topics related to mental health nursing. Her research interests include use of simulation as an educational methodology in the psychiatric specialty and interprofessional education. Dr. Kameg also maintains a private practice diagnosing and treating individuals across the lifespan with mental health diagnoses.

Dr. Judith Kaufmann is an Associate Professor in the School of Nursing and Health Sciences.  In addition, she is a nurse practitioner in an Internal Medicine practice in the St. Clair Health System. She is a nationally certified Family Nurse Practitioner who has practiced in both acute and primary care settings since 1988 and taught in the nurse practitioner program at the University of Pittsburgh from 1995 to April 2007.  In addition, Dr. Kaufmann was the Founding Director of the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program at Robert Morris University from 2007-2014.   She earned her Doctorate in Public Health from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School Of Public Health and has had funded research in the areas of childhood obesity and interdisciplinary education for nurse practitioners.  She has multiple presentations and publications that focus on both acute and chronic health conditions encountered in primary care.   

Dr. Lisa Locasto is an assistant professor in the School of Nursing and Health Sciences.  She earned her Doctorate in Nursing Practice from Robert Morris University.  Her research interest is childhood obesity.  In addition, Dr. Locasto manages a pediatric weight management program at a pediatric primary care office. Her recent publications include “Effect of the dedicated education unit on nursing student self-efficacy: A quasi-experimental research study”, “The development of an electronic headache pain diary for children who experience headache as a symptom of concussion”.  She has also presented on “Outcomes Using an Electronic Food and Activity Tracking Device with Children”.

Dr. Denise Ramponi is an Associate Professor in the School of Nursing & Health Sciences.  She earned her Doctorate of Nursing Practice at Waynesburg University.  Her research interests center around education regarding advanced practice procedures and simulation.  Dr. Ramponi’s most recent publications include “Using simulation to teach primary gynecological procedures”, “Dental procedures”, and “TMJ dislocations and relocation procedures”.  

Dr. Luann Richardson in an Associate Professor at Robert Morris University School of Nursing and Health Sciences. She earned her Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor of Nursing Practice Degrees at the University of Pittsburgh. She is certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner, Geriatric Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Her academic interests include Integrative care, gero-psychiatry and advanced practice clinical issues. Dr. Richardson has published numerous publications on advanced practice issues and has presented nationally. 

Dr. Carl Ross is a University Professor of Nursing at Robert Morris University. He earned his Doctorate of Philosophy at Duquesne University. He is also a certified Family Nurse Practitioner and maintains a steady practice in gerontology. His research interests center around international, men’s, and transgender health, in addition to critical care nursing and disadvantaged students. Dr. Ross has published several articles and received multiple grants in his areas of expertise. Some titles include: “Preparing nurse practitioner students for international experiences using skills acquisition.”, “The older adult experiencing sepsis”, “Long-term Bisphosphonate Therapy: Possible Link to Rare Femur Fracture.” In addition to publishing, Dr. Ross recently completed his 101st trip to Nicaragua where he provides nursing students an international experience.

Dr. Janene Luther Szpak is an Associate Professor in the School of Nursing and Health Sciences at Robert Morris University.  In this capacity, she teaches across the nursing curriculum. She is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse practitioner and earned her Doctorate in Nursing Practice degree from Robert Morris University, Moon Township, PA. Dr. Szpak's areas of clinical interest include the treatment of various anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, the use of simulation in Psychiatry, and creating awareness for domestic violence and abuse.  She has various publications and presentations in multiple psychiatric mental health topics.  In addition to serving as a nursing educator, she maintains an active private practice.

Additional Program Information

• SNEHS Policies