BACKGROUND Healthcare's rapid evolution has increased focus on doctoral nursing education and expanded experiential immersion opportunities created through innovative academic-community partnerships. METHODS A partnership between an academic institution and a state board of nursing was formed to provide two Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) students with a fellowship opportunity to learn health policy, strategy, and systems thinking which culminated in participation in a state-wide collaborative and published report. RESULTS Practicum experience outcomes consisted of learner comprehension of DNP Essential II as evidenced by attendance at health policy meetings, participation in state-wide Summit planning meetings with community partners and Summit participation, facilitation and follow-up report contribution. CONCLUSIONS Providing students with a practicum experience based on the DNP essentials promotes a curriculum based on scholarly evidence to assure the DNP will be competent to face current demands in healthcare. Experiential learning provides a framework for the DNP to fulfill curriculum while applying skills learned in a real-world environment.