DNP in Transcultural Nursing

Last Updated On Oct 27, 2024

RegisteredNursing.org Staff

6 Min Read

What Is a DNP in Transcultural Nursing Program Like?

The Doctor of Nursing Practice with a concentration in Transcultural Nursing (sometimes referred to as a Population Health Nursing specialty) is a newly developed cognitive specialty. Offered as part of a progressive, terminal degree program, at least some coursework for the DNP in Transcultural Nursing can be completed online. These DNP programs, which are offered part-time and full-time to accommodate busy working nurses, include didactic components, practicums, and clinical experiences. The TCN concentration is typically added to a standardized DNP program curriculum.

Though they vary by university, DNP-TCN programs can be completed in 2-3 years and require the completion of at least 35 academic credits plus as many as 1,000 practicum hours (or less if transferring from an MSN program). Most programs include a final project in which students demonstrate the knowledge they learned. As the DNP-TCN is relatively new and only offered at choice universities, students wishing to pursue this terminal degree should perform careful research before selecting their program of study.

DNP Transcultural Nursing Program Accreditation

Like any advanced nursing program, its accreditation should play an important role in your decision to enroll. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) are two recognized accrediting agencies. Completing a DNP from a nursing program that is not accredited, or is in the process of being accredited, may not be accepted by employers. In addition, programs must meet accreditation standards to qualify for financial aid.

DNP Transcultural Nursing Classes & Curriculum

The Doctor of Nursing Practice is the most advanced practice degree a nursing professional can pursue. It includes core components, such as evidence-based practice, clinical experiences and nursing practice modalities, while adding concentration-focused coursework in Transcultural Nursing, such as community health systems, policies and assessments.

Though program specifics vary, evergreen coursework across most DNP-TCN programs include:

Global and transcultural perspectives on research, healthcare, and policy
Qualitative and quantitative statistical analysis
Nursing inquiry to support evidence-based practice
Public health policies, systems, and practices

Students studying DNP Transcultural Nursing gain competencies in:

Leading, planning and implementing transcultural programs, policies, and practices
Using evidence-based learning and research to improve wellness, health promotion & disease prevention in multicultural, underprivileged communities
Traversing healthcare gaps between mainstream and transcultural communities while improving education and communications
Educating nurses and health care professionals on transcultural competencies, views, and perspectives
Advocating health equity for patients of vulnerable populations and public policy change

Upon program completion, DNP-TCN graduates gain the abilities to:

Lead change in healthcare organizations to improve patient care for marginalized, underserved and multicultural populations.
Advance evidence-based practice, decision-making models and analytic skills to design primary care delivery systems for diverse populations.
Use a holistic perspective and cross-cultural understanding to influence the development of transcultural health policy.
Through outreach and education, improve community health outcomes and disease prevention among underserved populations.
Integrate cultural competence, ethics and social justice in addressing health disparities in transcultural populations serving as their advocate.
Create educational programs to train nurses on developing cross-cultural competences.

DNP Transcultural Nursing Program Cost

College tuition and nursing program fees can vary considerably from program to program. Institution rank, residency status, location, and program format (online or traditional) are just some factors that weigh into DNP Transcultural Nursing tuition costs. Nursing programs also include proctor, health test, and background check fees that are outside of tuition. Applying for scholarships, financial aid and employer reimbursement can reduce out of pocket costs.

For example, the DNP related to Transcultural Nursing at the University of Washington in Seattle, a top-rated school, costs approximately $9,000 for residents and $13,000 for non-residents (per quarter).

Also read: The 6 Most Affordable 2023 DNP Programs in the US

DNP Transcultural Nursing Salary and Employment

Because the field of transcultural nursing is new and fast-growing, it can be difficult to calculate specific salary and employment information. Since transcultural nursing is a cultural competency rather than a career specialty such as Advanced Nurse Practitioner, discerning salary and employment information isn't an exact science.

Regardless of specialty, nurses with doctorate degrees can command top salaries and are in big demand by cutting-edge hospitals. Wages can also vary widely by state, with many advanced practice nurses earning an average of $115,000 annually according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. As population diversity continues to increase across the country, and with some states such as California having a minority majority, it makes sense that the demand for DNP-TCNs will only increase. As such, the employment and salary forecast for nurses with a Doctor of Nursing Practice, Transcultural Nursing distinction, looks promising.

Career Options for DNP Nurses with Transcultural Nursing Specialty

From coast to coast, healthcare settings are becoming more advanced, but also more stratified. While some healthcare facilities make use of robotics technologies, others in low income, underrepresented communities are left behind in what is referred to as the healthcare gap. Doctorate-level nurses with a concentration in Transcultural Nursing (TCN) will likely work with these disparity-affected populations in order to improve the quality of patient care and health outcomes.

They will also work as leaders and mentors seeking to increase cultural competencies among healthcare workers in these settings. DNP-TCN nurses will find work in public health departments, hospitals, and elderly care facilities as well as military and veterans facilities, rural medical centers, and clinics who serve the disenfranchised. DNP-TCN nurses will influence the future of healthcare for diverse populations by:

Developing and modifying health policies to include the needs of underrepresented populations
Advocating for patient populations that have traditionally been overlooked
Advancing healthcare initiatives, such as disease prevention programs and health and wellness education programs
Educating and training other nurses and healthcare professionals on cross-cultural competencies

Since Transcultural Nursing is a field rather than a specific profession, those who earn the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree with this distinction may work in a range of roles, including: