Doctor of Nursing Practice
Use the links below to skip to the information you need.
- About the DNP Program
- Degree Requirements
- Student Resources
- Contact Information
- Announcements and Current Events
The DNP program at The Valley Foundation School of Nursing at SJSU has nurtured me professionally, pushed me academically and allowed me to develop a project that will inform nursing practice and create change. I'm grateful to be on this journey as a brand new Women's Health Nurse Practitioner, an opportune moment for me to translate research into practice and improve patient outcomes.
— Silvie Arabia, MPH, PHN, RN (DNP Class of 2025)
About the DNP Program
We are utilizing the best of the past to create the future of nursing, nursing education, and improved patient outcomes throughout California. We are pursuing this mission by offering this post-Master’s degree, the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program.
Degree Requirements
Student Resources
- DNP Student Handbook
- Canvas, online learning platform
- SJSU ScholarWorks (Past DNP Student Projects)
- Publications by DNP program alumni
- Library Guide for DNP Students
- Article exploring the important distinctions between research, evidence-based practice (EBP), and quality improvement (QI); Kawar, Aquino-Maneja, Failla, et al. (2023) Research, Evidence-Based Practice, and Quality Improvement Simplified. Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing 54(1), pp. 40-48.
- Guidelines for Thesis/Doctoral Dissertations (Because the DNP program’s culminating event/graduating work is a Doctoral Project, rather than a thesis or dissertation, please use the “Guidelines for Master's Thesis/Doctoral Dissertations” as assistive guidelines only.)
- SJSU Writing Center (Writing support and tutoring)
- Zoom Meetings Download
- Additional SJSU Campus, and Graduate/Doctoral Student Resources
Contact Information
General Inquiries
- Email: DoctorNursingPractice@SJSU.edu
- Fax Number: 408-924-3135
Program Coordinator and Advisors
Robin L. Whitney, PhD, RN
Pronouns: She, her(s)
Assistant Professor and DNP Coordinator
robin.whitney01@sjsu.edu
Office: Health Building 404
Selected Works: Works.BePress/ScholarWorks
Denise Dawkins, DNP, RN, CNL, CHSE
Pronouns: She, her(s)
Assistant Professor and DNP Program Advisor
denise.dawkins@sjsu.edu
Office: Health Building 404
Selected Works: Works.BePress/ScholarWorks
SJSU People page
Lisa Walker-Vischer, RN, DNP, CNS, CCRN
Pronouns: She, her(s)
Lecturer and DNP Program Advisor
lisa.walker-vischer@sjsu.edu
Office: no perminant on-campus office
Selected Works: Works.BePress/ScholarWorks
Program Staff
Maya Carlyle
Pronouns: She, her(s)
Recruitment & Events Associate
408-924-3182
maya.carlyle@sjsu.edu
Office: Health Building 420
Brian Gothberg
Pronouns: He, him, his
Student Support Analyst
408-924-1324
brian.gothberg@sjsu.edu
Office: Health Building 420
Announcements and Current Events
The DNP program was life-changing and I know just how cliché that sounds. I entered the program as a seasoned Clinical Nurse Specialist but really left with a clear vision as a leader in nursing... The DNP has afforded me a broader view of healthcare and allowed me to influence nursing in a variety of ways in my current role. I’m forever grateful for my DNP.
— Lisa Walker-Vischer RN, DNP, CNS, CCRN (2014 NCCDNP Graduate)