Nursing FAQs
Nursing FAQ's
DNP
What are the academic and professional entry requirements for Brandman’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs?
- The BSN to DNP admission requirements are a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN), and students must hold an unencumbered RN license.
- The Post-Master's to DNP program admissions requirements are a Master of Science degree in Nursing (MSN) and an applicant must be an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) or clinical nurse specialist (CNS), hold an unencumbered APRN or CNS (if required) license and be nationally certified in his or her specialty.
Does Brandman allow nurses with a MSN who are not APRNs to enter the Post-Master's to DNP program?
Are there deadlines for applying?
- Fall I - The final deadline for Fall I is Aug. 15, 2020.
- Spring I - The priority deadline for Spring I is Oct. 30, 2020, and the final deadline is Dec. 1, 2020.
Where can I find more information?
Does the nursing program offer fully online degrees?
Each DNP program also requires a limited number of 3- to 4-day Immersion sessions at the Brandman University Irvine campus.
What is the length of the DNP program and how do “sessions” compare to a traditional academic semester?
Do I need to live in or near Irvine, California, to complete my degree?
No. Coursework is delivered online with immersions for DNP students at the Irvine, California, campus. Clinical practicum or mentored experiences are attended in the student’s home community.
Can PM-DNP students add a new clinical specialty to their education plan?
Yes, PM-DNP students may add a new specialty to their education plan after a successful interview with the specialty program director.
Can students add an additional clinical specialty to their BSN to DNP degree?
Yes, students may complete two specialties in the BSN to DNP degree and will be eligible to sit for the national certification exam in each completed specialty. This adds time to the degree completion, but allows the student to complete two specialties and still receive financial aid.
Does Brandman help students locate a preceptor or clinical site?
Students are expected to locate and establish their own preceptor/s and site/s. Our clinical placement coordinator and specialty NP Program Directors may work with students who need additional assistance.
How many credit hours is the DNP degree?
To earn the DNP degree, students must earn 73 credit hours, with 33 of the credits taken in residency at Brandman University. Students entering with an advanced practice MSN degree may transfer a maximum of 40 credit hours from the MSN when applying to the Post-Masters DNP.
Does the DNP require a dissertation?
DNP students complete a clinical scholarly project (CSP). The CSP is chaired by a faculty content expert, who assists the student in completing and defending an original scholarly work within the student’s chosen area of interest.
The DNP emphasizes clinical and applied evidence-based practice for best patient outcomes based on the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice (2006) and the AACN The Doctor of Nursing Practice: Current Issues and Clarifying Recommendations (2016).
Does Brandman have a degree program that prepares me to become a nurse practitioner?
The Musco School of Nursing offers two nurse practitioner specialties as part of the BSN to DNP degree:
- Family/Across the Lifespan (FNP)
- Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
Does Brandman offer continuing education courses or graduate certificates?
Can I apply for financial aid if I am a part-time student?
Financial aid is available for students who take at least 2 courses per trimester (1 course per 8 weeks) while pursuing a degree at Brandman.
Can I work while completing my degree?
Yes. The DNP programs are designed for working nurses. The amount of time you work during the program is dependent on your capacity as a student. However, many students reduce their work hours while completing the clinical practicum experiences required for the APRN specialty.
How can I contact someone for other questions?
Call (866) 685-8793 or e-mail nursing@brandman.edu.
Immersion
When is Spring Immersion?
Spring 1 2020
Immersion 1
BSN-DNP 8
Monday January 13 – Wednesday January 15, 2020
- NURU 604: Clinical Practicum- Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan and Cultures
Immersion 1
PL-ABSN 2
Tuesday, January 14
- New Student Orientation Immersion
Immersion 2
BSN-DNP 10
Wednesday January 15 – Friday January 17, 2020
- Orientation Immersion
- NURU 601: Transitions in Practice: The Advanced Practice Nurse as DNP
PM-DNP 20 (with & without specialty)
Wednesday January 15 – Friday January 17, 2020
- Orientation Immersion
- DNPU 704: Evidence Based Thinking for Scholarship and Practice
RN-BSN FT 1x & PTx (On Campus or Online via Zoom)
On-Campus: TBD
Online via Zoom: TBD
When is Summer Immersion?
Summer 1 2020
BSN-DNP 8, PM-DNP 18 w/ Specialty, PM-DNP 19 w/ Specialty, Post-Doctorate Admitted 2020
Monday May 4 – Wednesday May 6, 2020
- NURU 633: Practicum in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care
- NURU 673: Practicum in Common Problems in Family/Across the Lifespan Care
Monday May 4 – Thursday May 7, 2020
- NURU 643: Practicum in Psychotherapeutic Treatment Modalities
BSN-DNP 9, PM-DNP 19 without Specialty
Monday May 4 – Thursday May 7, 2020
- DNPU 701: Biostatistics for Clinical Practice
RN-BSN FT 1x & PTx (On Campus or Online via Zoom)
On-Campus: Monday May 4 – Wednesday May 6, 2020
- Orientation Immersion
- NURU 400: Transition in Practice: Baccalaureate Generalist Nursing Practice
Online via Zoom: Monday May 4th, Thursday May 7th, Friday May 8th, 2020
- Orientation Immersion (100% Online)
- NURU 400: Transition in Practice: Baccalaureate Generalist Nursing Practice
When is Fall 2020 Immersion?
Fall 1 2020
BSN-DNP 9
Monday August 31 - Wednesday September 2, 2020
- DNPU 705: Health Communication
PM-DNP 21 (with & without specialty)
Monday August 31 - Wednesday September 2, 2020
- Orientation Immersion
- DNPU 704: Evidence Based Thinking for Scholarship and Practice
BSN-DNP 10
Tuesday September 1 – Wednesday September 2, 2020
- DNPU 704: Evidence Based Thinking for Scholarship and Practice
PM-DNP 19 (with specialty) & PM-DNP 20 (with & without specialty)
Monday August 31 - Wednesday September 2, 2020
- DNPU 701: Biostatistics for Clinical Practice
RN-BSN FT 1x & PTx (On Campus or Online via Zoom)
On-Campus: TBD
Online vi Zoom: TBD
Orientation Immersion
- NURU 400: Transition in Practice: Baccalaureate Generalist Nursing Practice
What occurs at an immersion session?
During the immersion session, students meet face-to-face to learn online learning strategies, advanced information technology skills, communication and teamwork exercises and review skills in a state-of-the-art Immersion Learning and Simulation Center (ILSC). The ILSC provides computer-managed manikins and three-dimensional virtual reality environments using standardized patients for high fidelity learning.
Do I need to take time off from work for immersion?
Yes, immersion sessions are intensive and will require your focus and attention through the entire time.
What is a typical day of immersion like?
A day at immersion is a full day of activity. Days run from approximately 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and time is spent in group demonstrations from faculty and other experts, small group discussions, hands-on skills learning and lab experiences. There is also time for networking and some fun! Academic and Financial Aid advisors are also available for individualized in-person meetings.
Are meals included?
We offer morning refreshments (coffee, tea, water) and lunch. Many of our suggested hotels provide a continental breakfast. Other meals and snacks are not included. Since the days can be quite long, you are welcome to bring your own snacks and beverages.
Where do we stay?
The Musco School of Nursing and Health Professions will provide a list of nearby hotels where students can stay. Most hotels have a shuttle service that provides transportation to and from campus and the airport. The closest airport is John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Orange County. Some students choose to rent a car for their stay but most do not. If you have an hour or more driving commute to and from the campus, we strongly recommend that you stay at a hotel in order to maximize your experience. Additional travel and lodging information are sent upon admission.
Who pays for immersion travel expenses?
Students are responsible for paying for their travel to and from immersion. Travel costs may be included in your financial aid package (discuss availability with your One Stop specialist).
Why do some programs have multiple immersion sessions?
Some programs have multiple immersion sessions because the clinical specialty courses require advanced skills training sessions in a face-to-face learning environment.
RN to BSN
If I don’t have an Associate degree in nursing or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), but have my LVN or LPN, can I still apply?
What are the academic and professional entry requirements for the RN-BSN program?
To enter the RN to BSN program, you must have completed an associate degree in nursing, have an unencumbered RN license or have a NCLEX date.
Do I need a California nursing license to enroll in a Brandman program?
Are there deadlines for applying?
Admission to the RN to BSN program is available three times per year in Fall 1 (August) , Spring 1 (January) or Summer 1 (May).
- Fall I - The final deadline for Fall I is Aug. 15, 2017.
- Spring I - The priority deadline for Spring I is Oct. 30, 2017, and the final deadline is Dec. 1, 2017.
- Summer I - The priority deadline for Summer I is March 15, 2018, with a final deadline of May 15, 2018.
Where can I find more information?
Additional details are available in the online catalog.
Does the nursing program offer fully online degrees?
All nursing programs in the Marybelle and S. Paul Musco School of Nursing and Health Professions are delivered using a blend of online learning and clinical practicum or mentored experiences in a variety of healthcare settings. During online sessions, students will engage in instructor-guided or self-directed study using live and recorded lectures, demonstrations, tutorials and other activities. This blend of teaching methods provides a rich and engaging learning experience for busy professionals who must juggle school, work and family.
The RN-BSN program also requires one 3-day Immersion session at the Irvine, California, campus at the beginning of the program. The immersion can be attended virtually.
What is the length of the RN-BSN program and how do “sessions” compare to a traditional academic semester?
Brandman has six sessions each year, two in the fall trimester, two in the spring trimester and two in the summer trimester. Each trimester is considered a unit of eligibility for financial aid. Each session is 8 weeks long. These shorter sessions allow students to focus their study on a small number of courses and still complete a degree in one to three years of study.
Do I need to live in or near Irvine, California, to complete my degree?
No. Coursework is delivered online with one immersion for RN-BSN students virtually or at the Irvine, California, campus. Clinical practicum or mentored experiences are attended in the student’s home community.
Does Brandman help students locate a preceptor or clinical site?
Students are expected to locate and establish their own mentor/s and site/s for the leadership clinical practicum experience of 80 hours. A certified public health nurse teaches and mentors the required 96 hours of community health clinical practicum experiences. The RN-BSN program director will ensure that the leadership mentors and site/s meet eligibility as a clinical location, and our clinical placement coordinator may work with students who need additional clinical placement assistance.
Can I apply for financial aid if I am a part-time student?
Financial aid is available for students who take at least two courses per trimester (one course per 8 weeks) while pursuing a degree at Brandman.
Can I apply for financial aid if I am a part-time student?
Financial aid is available for students who take at least two courses per trimester (one course per 8 weeks) while pursuing a degree at Brandman.
Can I work while completing my degree?
Many students in the RN-BSN program work part time while pursuing their BSN degree at Brandman. Some students are able to work full time. However, most students greatly reduce their work hours while completing the leadership and community health clinical practicum experiences.
How many credit hours is the RN-BSN degree?
The Brandman University RN to BSN is 36 credits. In the full-time program, students take two 3-credit courses in each session for one year. Part-time students take one 3-credit course each session for two years. Community college students take two 3-credit courses during the summer before their final clinical year of their associate degree and complete the remainder of the credits after graduation with a full-time or part-time option.
How can I contact someone for other questions?
Call (866) 685-8793 or e-mail nursingcoaches@brandman.edu
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