Nursing Practice

Achieve Excellence

This online program prepares you for advanced practice and leadership roles in health care organizations. It is designed for practicing nurses who have already earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) or a Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.).

As a Post-B.S.N. student, you will develop expertise to care for specific populations as a nurse practitioner. Direct care nurse practitioner specialty track options include:
Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Non-direct care providers specialize in Executive Nursing Leadership.

As a post-M.S.N. student, you may specialize in Clinical Leadership in Health Care or Executive Leadership and Health Care.
Individuals already certified as Nurse Practitioners or Clinical Nurse Specialists in Adult Gerontology Acute Care, Family, Psychiatric Mental Health, or Pediatric (acute or primary care) who desire to expand knowledge in their existing practice specialty can do so as part of the Clinical Leadership in Health Care option.

You may also complete a post graduate A.P.R.N. certificate at the same time, adding an additional specialty to your skill set.
 

As a graduate of our program, you will be trained to:

• Provide expert clinical care and leadership to perform at the highest scope of practice for the specialty.
• Translate, apply, and evaluate evidence to guide improvements in practice and outcomes of care.
• Analyze, evaluate, and implement health policy at multiple levels, including institutional and governmental policies.

Read more on our learning outcomes here.

Our program is known for:

DNP faculty known nationally and internationally for work in their specialties
Being the first DNP Program in the U.S.
Close work with clinical mentors
Classes that mix online work with on-campus work

IMPORTANT: This rigorous program allows students to complete all didactic course work fully online, but requires students to attend in-person immersion blocks (1- 3 days) on the Lexington campus twice each semester. During the immersion blocks you will attend orientation and networking events and complete various degree-related activities, including testing, skill assessments, and standardized patient modules.
 

The DNP application opens Sept. 15 and closes January 15th for Fall (August) enrollment. The DNP program does not admit a spring class. 
Please see here for additional information on program admission requirements and timeline.