DNP Entry Options
Entry Option 1:
The first entry option is for the advanced practice nurse (nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, nurse anesthetist, or clinical nurse specialist), who has a Master of Science Degree in Nursing (MSN) and is ready to complete the clinical doctoral degree. These students would apply directly to the Post Masters to DNP program.
Entry Option 2:
The second entry option is for the registered nurse with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN) who wants to move into advanced practice in one of five specialties. The specialties offered will be an Adult-Geriatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP), a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care (PNP-AC), a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP), a Family Psychiatric & Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (FPMHNP), and an Adult-Geriatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (ANP-GNP). These students will apply to the BSN to DNP program into their specialty.
Entry Option 3:
The third entry option is for the registered nurse who has a Master of Science Degree in Nursing (MSN) and is not an advanced practice nurse but who wants to move into advanced practice in one of our five specialties. These students will apply as if they are a BSN to DNP student, and apply directly to the specialty. Courses from the MSN will be transferred in after review by the School of Nursing and Health Professions Petition Committee.
Entry Option 4:
The fourth entry option is for the registered nurse who has a Master of Science Degree in Nursing (MSN) and who is a certified nurse practitioner and wants to add one of our five specialties. This option is also available for the Clinical Nurse Specialist in Psychiatric Nursing who wants to become a Family Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. These students will apply to the Post Masters to DNP program, but they must identify the specialty they want to add during the admission process in their goal statement, and an individualized program of study will be developed after admission. This may add up to 5 courses to the program of study. There are no additional clinical hours to add a specialty, instead the 500 unsupervised hours become 500 supervised hours. Courses from the MSN will be transferred in after review by the School of Nursing and Health Professions Petition Committee.
