NURS 830

NURS 830: Doctor of Nursing Practice Clinical Residency Within the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Concentration

Prerequisites: Admission into the PMHNP program or Permission of Faculty

Credit Hours: (1-12)

This is the course work required for the DNP Clinical Residency. The DNP Clinical Residency is a clinical leadership experience focusing on nursing education, policy, practice, and/or research within an area of student interest. Per the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), this course is required for the Doctorate of Nursing (DNP) Clinical Residency and is offered to students who are enrolled as DNP degree-seeking students at Radford University. The DNP Clinical Residency is an immersion clinical experience that includes in-depth work with experts from nursing and other disciplines. Advanced nursing practice experiences assist students in development and assimilation of complex clinical knowledge and decision-making. The residency provides the framework for the DNP Final Project in which the student identifies, develops, and implements a project of clinical or research interest that culminates in a well-written project, policy, or article suitable for publication.

 

Detailed Description of Course

The DNP Clinical Residency may include but is not limited to: completion of clinical case requirements, up to 540 required patient contact hours by end of the program, and completion of specific procedures, student-directed discussions and presentations, reading assignments, written work, self-reflection and journaling, and conferences with faculty advisors. Because the course is online, audio or video presentations/lectures, discussion boards, chat rooms, videoconferencing, and other instructional technology strategies may be used for communication purposes.

Topical Outline

Depending on individual residency goals, experiences may include but are not limited to the following:

1. Expansion of advanced nursing practice clinical expertise.
2. Development of clinical leadership and scholarly skills to advance evidence-based nursing practice
3. Development of DNP roles in advanced practice, administration, and/or health policy.

 

Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

The residency is delivered through a combination of precepted clinical experiences, faculty mentorship, and independent scholarly work. Students work closely with expert clinicians, administrators, or researchers to deepen their practice competencies and refine leadership skills within their chosen area of focus on —nursing practice, policy, or research. 

Clinical work may occur in a variety of advanced practice environments, consistent with Radford University’s DNP program emphasis on customized, immersive residency experiences tailored to students’ professional goals.

 

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:

1. Demonstrate clinical judgment in complex clinical situations.
2. Employ evidence-based practice to promote wellness, prevent illness, manage illness and maintain independent function at the highest possible levels for individuals, groups, and populations.
3. Participate in quality improvement and evaluations at varying levels of the health care system.
4. Demonstrate in-depth work with experts in nursing and other disciplines in the clinical area of specialization.
5. Examine and interpret regulatory issues and trends in diverse settings across the health care.

 

Assessment Measures

Points vary per number of credit hour

Assignments: 100 points each

500 expected points/ credit hour

Ex: 1 credit hour= 500 points max

3 credit hours= 1500 points max

Total for course (12 credits): 6000 points

Assignments include Symptom Media Case; participation in Grand Rounds, presenting in Grand Rounds, Self-reflection, Clinical Goals, Clinical Logs, Final Paper

 

Other Course Information

N/A.

 

Review and Approval

April, 2025

March 27, 2026