Supervisors
Learn about faculty available to supervise this degree.
Please note: additional supervisors may be available. Contact the program for more information.
Program overview
The Doctor of Nursing program is aimed at developing nurse leaders and innovators with significant leadership experience (minimum of three years) for senior roles in health care and related organizations. Students will be provided with knowledge and skills to advance health systems by designing and implementing innovations and evaluating outcomes.
Completing this program
Courses: Topics include principles of healthcare innovation, understanding the context in which innovation occurs, change management, implementation science, and use of technology in healthcare.
Thesis: Students will be required to submit and defend a thesis focused on a real world problem.
Candidacy: Students will complete both oral and written candidacy exams.
Outcomes
The focus of this program is to prepare students for predominantly organizational leadership roles where they advance health systems through developing skills in systems innovation, program evaluation and quality assurance/quality improvement.
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Accepting InquiriesMental health; trauma informed practice; humanities; nursing theory; hermeneutic research -
Accepting InquiriesTeaching and learning, Professional development, Mentorship, Mixed methods, Knowledge synthesis -
Accepting InquiriesAnticipatory Grief and Bereavement, Psychosocial/Spiritual Care at the End of Life, Advance Care Planning, Hospice Caregiver Wellness, Nurses Grief, -
Accepting InquiriesCompassion, Palliative Care, Palliative Care, Psychosocial Oncology -
Accepting InquiriesCardiovascular health; critical care and emergency; risk factors; health promotion; health assessment. Mixed methods including survey research, focus group research.
Admission requirements
GPA
- A minimum 3.0 GPA or better on a 4.0 point system is required.
Minimum education
- Applicants to have at least three years of healthcare or related organization experience in a mid-level to senior leadership role.
- A Master’s Degree from a recognized institution. See Graduate qualifications for additional information.
- Have successfully completed graduate-level research courses including at least one qualitative research methods course and at least one quantitative research methods course.
Work samples
None
Documents
- You will need to provide unofficial transcripts for all prior post-secondary education. These can be uploaded to your Student Centre portal.
- Official transcripts will only be required for those offered admission.
- Official transcripts will only be required for those offered admission.
- A current resume/curriculum vitae that includes:
- Education, Professional employment experience including the institution, clinical area, dates of employment and positions held
Leadership roles - Academic awards, achievements, honors, or distinctions
- Scholarly presentations or publications with links when available
- Roles and/or affiliations with academic or professional organizations
- Education, Professional employment experience including the institution, clinical area, dates of employment and positions held
Reference letters
You will be asked to provide the contact information for your two referees (one academic and one professional).
Your referees will be emailed a unique link to complete the reference form, which will then be automatically added to your application once completed.
Test scores
None
Supervision and Funding
- Students will be assigned a faculty supervisor to assist with the identification and development of a work-integrated project. Students will be required to provide a workplace mentor to support their project work. If students have not identified this mentor prior to the start of program, support will be offered to meet this requirement.
English language proficiency
An applicant whose primary language is not English may fulfill the English language proficiency requirement in one of the following ways:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL ibt) score of 97 (Internet-based, with no section less than 20).
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 7.0 (minimum of 6.0 in each section).
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) score of 68, or higher (Academic version).
Canadian Academic English Language test (CAEL) score of 70 (no less than 70 on reading and writing sections).
This reuirement can also be met by completing the Academic Communication Certificate (ACC) with a minimum score of "A-" in writing courses.
*Please contact your program of interest if you have any questions about ELP requirements
Deadlines
For admission on January 1:
Canadian and permanent resident
- Applications open June 1.
- September 15 application deadline. Document deadline September 30.
International Students
- Applications open June 1.
- September 15 application deadline. Document deadline September 30.
If you're not a Canadian or permanent resident, or if you have international credentials, make sure to learn about international requirements
Learn more about this program
Related programs
If you're interested in this program, you might want to explore other UCalgary programs.