Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is designed to prepare experts in nursing practice. It is the pinnacle of practice-focused nursing degrees, building upon master’s programs by providing an educational foundation in quality improvement, evidence-based practice, and systems leadership, among others. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), DNP nurses possess a blend of clinical, leadership, economic, and organizational skills that puts them in a unique position to deftly critique nursing practice and design programs of care delivery that are economically feasible, locally acceptable, and that significantly impact healthcare outcomes. The DNP nurses are prepared to perform nursing interventions that influence healthcare outcomes for individuals or populations by providing direct patient care, managing the care of patients and patient populations, administrating in nursing and healthcare organizations and developing and implementing health policy. The program consists of a 1,000-hour clinical component that may be combined with up to 500 hours from a master’s degree in clinical practice nursing.
Employment Opportunities
- Senior administrator in the education sector
- Consultant
- Professor/Researcher
Doctor of Nurse Practice (DNP)
Admission to the DNP program requires:
- A master’s degree in nursing or a related field from a regionally, nationally or internationally accredited school.
- A minimum master’s degree GPA of 3.30 on a 4.0 scale
- A current, active, and unencumbered United States RN License.
- Two reference forms from individuals other than relatives (suggested sources include professors, academic advisers, and professional nursing references).
- Submit a writing sample (use APA 7th edition formatting, including headings for each section). Include the following information in your statement:
- Problem/Issue Discuss a problem or issue in your professional practice setting that needs to be addressed from a DNP perspective. (250 words minimum).
- Applicant’s Goals Discuss your personal and professional goals related to the DNP (250 words minimum).
- An interview with the program coordinator or faculty member in the department as designated by the program coordinator.
- A CV/résumé.
