Executive Leadership, DNP

The DNP program will prepare nurses as leaders to innovate, advance, and achieve high quality outcomes for patients, families, the healthcare workforce, organizations, and communities in complex, interconnected healthcare and public health environments.
In accordance with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education¹ and Penn Nursing DNP program’s Practice Leadership framework, graduates of the DNP program, including all DNP majors, will demonstrate the following proficiencies:

1. Translate and apply evidence into practice and policy to equitably and ethically inform the delivery of health care that advances high quality outcomes.
2. Assess, plan, implement and evaluate person-centered initiatives with interprofessional teams that promote and sustain the health and well-being of individuals, families, communities and populations. 
3. Develop, evaluate, and advocate for clinical, organizational, business, and policy practices that are just, fiscally responsible, and strategic.
4. Conduct and lead ethical, scholarly activities that advance practice knowledge.
5. Apply the principles of safety and improvement science to mitigate risks and prevent errors in the delivery of cost-effective, quality healthcare within a just workplace culture that promotes workforce well-being. 
6. Use dynamic communication strategies to lead sustainable interprofessional partnerships that foster team effectiveness and promote shared values and mutual respect in learning healthcare environments. 
7. Contribute to strategic organizational planning to responsibly coordinate and manage resources, demonstrate value, and mitigate systemic barriers for optimized healthcare services and delivery. 
8. Engage in the design, selection, and implementation of health information systems and patient care technologies to advance data-driven decision-making and evaluation of programs, outcomes, and systems of care.
9. Embody and amplify nursing’s professional identity with a constant spirit of inquiry and reflection that demonstrates individual and collective accountability, ethical leadership, advocacy and professional activism.
10. Using emotional intelligence, cultivate collaborative work environments that equitably promote health and well-being, stimulate resilience, and advance the nursing profession.
11. Develop entre/intrapreneurial acumen to advance innovative health and wellness solutions.
12. Design contextually informed, strategic, and sustainable initiatives that are effectively executed through project management.
13. Demonstrate statistical literacy and independence in conducting and interpreting quality improvement and descriptive analytics and associated data visualization practices.

The DNP Executive Leadership track prepares nurses with master’s degrees in nursing or a health-related field who have current leadership experience with the executive-level skills to lead organizational change. To achieve the competencies of nurse executives articulated by the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) and American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL), The AONL Nurse Leader Core Competency Model² and Nurse Executive Competencies: System CNE³, graduates of the DNP-EL track will demonstrate the following major-specific proficiencies:

1. Demonstrate ethical decision-making, accountability, and professionalism in clinical practice, adhering to legal, regulatory, and organizational standards while promoting a culture of respect and integrity in healthcare settings.
2. Employ effective communication strategies to establish collaborative relationships with patients, families, and interprofessional teams, ensuring person-centered care and fostering trust within diverse healthcare environments. 
3. Apply advanced knowledge of the healthcare system, including policy, regulations, and resource management, to navigate complex healthcare environments and advocate for improvements in patient care and outcomes. 
4. Exercise leadership capabilities by utilizing business principles, strategic thinking, and management techniques to drive organizational efficiency, foster team development, and influence positive changes in healthcare delivery systems. 

References

1. American Association of Colleges of Nursing. The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education. American Association of Colleges of Nursing; 2021
2. American Organization of Nursing Executives, Leadership AOfN. The AONL Nurse Leader Core Competency Model. Chicago, IL: AONE, AONL; 2015.
3. American Organization of Nurse Executives, Leadership AOfN. Nurse Executive Competencies: System CNE. Chicago, IL: AONE, AONL; 2015

For more information: https://www.nursing.upenn.edu/dnpel/index.php

The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2026 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.

Curriculum

The DNP-EL is a two-year program consisting of 11.5 course units.

Plan of Study 

Sample Plan of Study