BSN to DNP

Program Options

The College offers four BSN to DNP degree programs:

• Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)
• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
• Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (P-MHNP)
• Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP)

Program Outcomes

The graduate of the doctorate degree program is able to:

1. Incorporates effective communication and informatics to effectively participate in transforming health care delivery systems.
2. Synthesizes theories and knowledge to address fundamental questions and issues in primary area of practice.
3. Synthesizes information systems to evaluate programs, health care delivery systems and outcomes.
4. Designs system changes in health care to align with culturally appropriate care.
5. Evaluates leadership, organizational and decision-making skills necessary to initiate change and improve nursing practice.
6. Translates caring theories and behaviors to create an environment that promotes authentic caring.
7. Synthesizes evidence in clinical scholarship for improvement in quality care in the health care arena.
8. Demonstrates accountability across health care systems.

Admission Criteria

1. Please send the following to the Admissions Office:
   1. Completed Application for Admission Priority Date - Priority acceptance is given to completed application materials received by April 1st for fall semester and Oct. 1st for spring, although applications are accepted all year round.  Please include name used for transcript filing purposes.
   2. Pay nonrefundable $50.00 application fee.
   3. Request that the registration office of all post high school education institutions previously attended send an official transcript directly to the Admissions Office. Please note that we must receive an official transcript from every institution, even if transfer credit from that institution appears on the transcript of another institution.
   4. Bachelor of Science in Nursing from a program accredited by ACEN, CNEA, or CCNE and regionally accredited.
   5. Evidence of completion of undergraduate health assessment and nursing research with a minimum grade of “C” in both courses.
   6. Grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
   7. Proof of current, unencumbered license to practice as a Registered Nurse in state where currently practicing.
   8. Evidence of one year professional nursing experience preferred.
   9. NNP-Must have the equivalent of at least two years of fulltime clinical experience as an RN in a Level III or IV NICU within the past five years before starting the clinical courses. May start theory courses without the required clinical experience. Must hold and maintain a current Neonatal Resuscitation Program certificate.
   10. It is preferred that Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner students have 1 year of experience (or the equivalent) in psych-mental health within the last 5 years prior to starting the psych-mental health specific theory or practicum courses.
   11. An interview may be requested by the College.
2. When all of the above documentation has been received in the Admissions Office and evaluated, you will receive a letter from the College of Nursing regarding your admission status.
3. Checklist:
   1. Application
   2. $50.00 application fee
   3. Transcripts
   4. Copy of certification (if applicable)

Distance Education Student Eligibility by State:

All applicants are welcome to apply. However, due to restrictions on distance education imposed by individual states, the College cannot accept students that are residents of the following states (11-25-20).

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arkansas - curriculum may not prepare you for licensure in AK
• Arizona - preceptor must be licensed in AZ
• California - curriculum may not prepare you for licensure in CA
• Colorado
• District of Columbia
• Georgia
• Idaho
• Kansas - curriculum may not prepare you for licensure in KS
• Louisiana
• Minnesota
• Missouri - faculty must be licensed in MO
• Nebraska
• New Mexico
• North Dakota
• New York
• Oklahoma - faculty must be licensed in OK
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Utah
• Washington
• Wyoming

The College has met state specific distance education requirements and has been given permission by the Board of Higher Education to provide this Post Masters DNP education to students in all states except the ones in the table above. Students can contact the State Board of Nursing for further information. See below for addresses.

Your state not listed or other questions? If you are a potential out of state applicant and you do not see your state listed above or if you have other questions, please contact the Graduate Dean at (309) 655-2230 to determine the College’s authorization to offer distance education in your home state.

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