Program Requirements

• Students must maintain an RN license that is active and unencumbered at all times during enrollment in the program. Students must have a valid unencumbered RN license in the state(s) of all practicum sites. If students have multiple state licenses, all must be unencumbered. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the School of Nursing if the status of his or her RN license changes. Students will be administratively withdrawn from the program at any point if this status is not maintained.
• Students must meet all practicum agency requirements. 

• Continued enrollment in the program is subject at all times to review of the student's academic record and actions with regard to observance of university policies and regulations. Policies and regulations can be found in the School of Nursing Student Handbook (located within each course).

• All courses must be satisfactorily completed with a grade of “B” or above to proceed to the next course.

• Upon earning a second unsatisfactory grade, students will be academically dismissed and ineligible to reapply for admission into the DNP program.

• Degree Completion Limits - The DNP program is designed as a lock-step curriculum to be completed in approximately 26 months. Program completion must be accomplished within four years of starting the program. Students who do not maintain continuous enrollment with their original cohort and curriculum will be required to join a new cohort as space is available, adapt to all subsequent curricular and DNP Project Manual changes, and incur any changes in program Tuition costs or frees. Any exceptions to this policy must be requested in writing to the Dean of SON Doctoral Programs or designated academic leader with the final decision resting with the Student Life Council.

• DNP Project Continuation - Doctoral students not completing the DNP Project by the end of the second year will be required to maintain continuous enrollment. Students will enroll in a one-hour DNP Project Continuation course (DNP-900) continuously until for up to seven credits or the DNP Project is successfully defended. Students will pay the one-credit-hour course tuition and any required fees to maintain continuous enrollment. Each continuation course will be ten weeks in length.
• Re-enrollment - A student who wishes to re-enroll in the DNP program must first contact the appropriate advisor to complete a Request for Re-enrollment form and forward to the Dean of SON Doctoral Programs or designated academic leader for approval. Following approval, the student may re-enroll in the program through the Office of Student Services and will agree to follow the prescribed plan of study. Students sitting out of a core program for more than 90 days are subject to current tuition rates upon returning. Students re-entering after six months are subject to any changes made in curriculum in the intervening time as well as current catalog policy.
• Student Professional Performance Policy - Students are expected to maintain the ethical standards of practice established by American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements. Students whose professional performance affects their ability to be licensed as a registered nurse or advanced practice registered nurse, and/or who do not meet the ethical standards established by ANA, may be recommended for a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) or other sanction up to and including dismissal from the School of Nursing. It is the responsibility of each student to be aware of policies regulating academic and professional conduct found in the IWU Catalog, student handbooks, and clinical guidelines, possible sanctions, and the appeals process.
• Progressive discipline: The School of Nursing promotes a policy of progressive or corrective discipline; however, serious infractions may warrant immediate removal from clinical or academics setting, imposition of a written reprimand, suspension, or dismissal. Performance concerns may include, but are not limited to the following:
  • Fails to meet generally accepted standards of patient safety, professional conduct, personal integrity, or emotional stability required for professional practice;
  • Fails to demonstrate the effective interpersonal skills necessary to perform professional helping relationships;
  • Fails to adhere to the ANA Code of Ethics;
  • Has been found guilty of criminal misconduct that affects the student’s ability to be licensed as a registered nurse (RN )or advanced practice registered nurse (APRN); or

  • Displays inappropriate or disruptive behavior toward clients, other students, faculty, or staff, which interferes with professional judgment or jeopardizes the best interest of those to whom the student has a professional responsibility.