Purpose
The purpose of the Doctor of Nursing Practice program is to prepare individuals for the highest level of nursing leadership and practice within organizations and systems, with the ultimate goal of improving health care for diverse populations. The DNP program focuses on providing education in key areas such as evidence-based practice, quality improvement and systems leadership.
Goal
The goal of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is to prepare graduates for the highest level of nursing leadership and practice within organizations and systems, to improve health care delivery and patient outcomes at all levels and for diverse populations, to serve as faculty in nursing education programs, and to translate research findings for clinical practice.
DNP Options for Certification
DNP students and graduates are encouraged to complete certification in a relevant content area based on individual career goals and areas of study. DNP graduates who are certified as nurse practitioners or clinical nurse specialists are strongly encouraged to maintain that certification as evidence of clinical knowledge and skill. There are additional options for certification that relate to those DNP students and graduates who have a nursing leadership/administration/executive focus that includes:
- Advanced Nurse Executive (NEA-BC)
- Nurse Executive (NE-BC or CENP)
- or as a Certified Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML).
Program Outcomes for Students Enrolled Beginning Fall 2024
Beginning in fall 2024, the DNP and MSN program outcomes are the same. Please refer to the MSN program information for the current outcomes.
For program outcomes prior to fall 2024, please visit the archived catalog for the academic year the student started in the program.
Admission Requirements
Following receipt of the completed application from NursingCAS and a complete set of transcripts from all educational institutions attended, designated faculty evaluate, interview, and select applicants and recommend them to the professional graduate committee of the College of Nursing for admission. Admission is competitive and capacity is limited. Applicants with strong educational backgrounds are considered first. See the Admission Policies for Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree Programs policy (5.3.4) in the Student Policies section for details.
Admission Key Dates
DNP students are admitted once annually.
| DNP Program | Application Opens | Application Due | Program Start |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSN to DNP | September 1 | February 1 | May |
| BSN to DNP | September 1 | February 1 | August |
Curriculum Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Nursing Practice
The DNP program for the BSN to DNP is a 66-70 credit program based on advanced practice specialization in the DNP program. The DNP program for the MSN to DNP is a 35-credit program. All DNP students complete a DNP project in their program. Elective courses are also possible, based on a student's career goals and consultation with his/her faculty advisor. BSN to DNP students have an integrated plan of study that includes the required DNP courses and additional courses to meet MSN essentials.
Required Courses
All DNP students take the required courses.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BIOS 806 | BIOSTATISTICS | 3 |
| EPI 820 | EPIDEMIOLOGY IN PUBLIC HEALTH | 3 |
| NRSG 701 | IMPLEMENTING EVIDENCED-BASED PRACTICE | 3 |
| NRSG 702 | METHODS FOR ASSESSING CLINICAL PRACTICE OUTCOMES | 3 |
| NRSG 703 | CHANGING COMPLEX SYSTEMS TO IMPROVE HEALTH CARE DELIVERY | 2 |
| NRSG 704 | CLINICAL INQUIRY | 1-12 |
| NRSG 709 | HEALTH CARE POLICY | 3 |
| NRSG 731 | TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP | 3 |
| NRSG 755 | HEALTH CARE ECONOMICS AND FINANCE | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 24-35 | |
BSN to DNP Plans of Study for Students Enrolled Before Fall 2024
BSN to DNP programs are offered in 3- and 4-year plans of study. Below are exemplars of the 3-year plans for each of the specialties.
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse Leader/Executive
- Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Primary & Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (Dual)
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
In addition to the required DNP courses, the courses below are required for the BSN to DNP degrees.
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP: BSN to DNP
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NRSG 605 | ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY | 4 |
| NRSG 606 | APPLIED PHARMACOLOGY FOR ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSES | 3 |
| NRSG 607 | ADVANCED ASSESSMENT AND CLINICAL REASONING ACROSS THE LIFESPAN | 3 |
| NRSG 608 | TRANSITION TO NURSE PRACTITIONER PRACTICE | 1 |
| NRSG 609 | HEALTH PROMOTION FOR POPULATIONS | 3 |
| NRSG 620 | ADULT GERONTOLOGY ACUTE CARE NURSE PRACTITIONER (NP) I | 3 |
| NRSG 622 | ACUTE CARE NURSE PRACTITIONER ROLE: DIAGNOSTICS AND THERAPEUTICS | 3 |
| NRSG 624 | ADULT-GERONTOLOGY ACUTE CARE NURSE PRACTITIONER (NP) II | 3 |
| NRSG 626 | ADULT-GERONTOLOGY ACUTE CARE HEALTH PROBLEMS I | 3 |
| NRSG 628 | ADULT-GERONTOLOGY ACUTE CARE NURSE PRACTITIONER (NP) III | 3 |
| NRSG 631 | ADULT-GERONTOLOGY ACUTE CARE NURSE PRACTITIONER (NP) COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT PRACTICUM | 3 |
| NRSG 635 | ADULT-GERONTOLOGY ACUTE CARE HEALTH PROBLEMS II | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 35 | |
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP: BSN to DNP Program
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NRSG 605 | ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY | 4 |
| NRSG 606 | APPLIED PHARMACOLOGY FOR ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSES | 3 |
| NRSG 607 | ADVANCED ASSESSMENT AND CLINICAL REASONING ACROSS THE LIFESPAN | 3 |
| NRSG 608 | TRANSITION TO NURSE PRACTITIONER PRACTICE | 1 |
| NRSG 609 | HEALTH PROMOTION FOR POPULATIONS | 3 |
| NRSG 610 | ADULT-GERONTOLOGY PRIMARY CARE CLINICAL PRACTICUM I | 2 |
| NRSG 619 | ADULT-GERONTOLOGY PRIMARY CARE CLINICAL PRACTICUM II | 3 |
| NRSG 621 | ADULT-GERONTOLOGY PRIMARY CARE I | 2 |
| NRSG 623 | ADULT-GERONTOLOGY PRIMARY CARE CLINICAL PRACTICUM III | 3 |
| NRSG 625 | ADULT-GERONTOLOGY PRIMARY CARE II | 3 |
| NRSG 629 | ADULT-GERONTOLOGY PRIMARY CARE III | 3 |
| NRSG 627 | ADULT-GERONTOLOGY PRIMARY CARE CLINICAL PRACTICUM IV | 4 |
| NRSG 632 | ADULT-GERONTOLOGY PRIMARY CARE IV | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours | 35 | |
Family NP: BSN to DNP Program
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NRSG 605 | ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY | 4 |
| NRSG 606 | APPLIED PHARMACOLOGY FOR ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSES | 3 |
| NRSG 607 | ADVANCED ASSESSMENT AND CLINICAL REASONING ACROSS THE LIFESPAN | 3 |
| NRSG 608 | TRANSITION TO NURSE PRACTITIONER PRACTICE | 1 |
| NRSG 609 | HEALTH PROMOTION FOR POPULATIONS | 3 |
| NRSG 637 | HEALTH PROMOTION IN PRIMARY CARE FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES | 3-5 |
| NRSG 638 | PRIMARY HEALTH CARE OF YOUNG FAMILIES | 3-6 |
| NRSG 639 | PRIMARY HEALTH CARE OF OLDER FAMILIES | 3-6 |
| NRSG 640 | ADVANCED PRIMARY HEALTH CARE OF FAMILIES | 1-5 |
| Total Credit Hours | 24-36 | |
Nurse Leader/Administrator/Executive: BSN to DNP Program
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NRSG 603 | LEADERSHIP IN NURSING | 3 |
| NRSG 609 | HEALTH PROMOTION FOR POPULATIONS | 3 |
| NRSG 651 | HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS AND POLICY | 3 |
| NRSG 652 | ORGANIZATIONAL IMPROVEMENTS | 4 |
| NRSG 653 | ANALYZING ISSUES IN NURSING ADMINISTRATION | 3 |
| NRSG 654 | INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH INFORMATICS | 3 |
| NRSG 656 | DEVELOPING SYSTEMS AND INFRASTRUCTURES IN HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATIONS | 5 |
| NRSG 657 | PRACTICUM IN MANAGING AND EVALUATING IN HEALTH CARE | 5 |
| Total Credit Hours | 29 | |
Pediatric Primary Care NP: BSN to DNP Program
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NRSG 605 | ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY | 4 |
| NRSG 606 | APPLIED PHARMACOLOGY FOR ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSES | 3 |
| NRSG 607 | ADVANCED ASSESSMENT AND CLINICAL REASONING ACROSS THE LIFESPAN | 3 |
| NRSG 608 | TRANSITION TO NURSE PRACTITIONER PRACTICE | 1 |
| NRSG 609 | HEALTH PROMOTION FOR POPULATIONS | 3 |
| NRSG 671 | PRIMARY CARE AND HEALTH PROMOTION IN CHILDREN'S HEALTH | 3-5 |
| NRSG 672 | PRIMARY CARE OF CHILDREN II: ACUTE HEALTH PROBLEMS | 2-5 |
| NRSG 673 | PRIMARY CARE OF CHILDREN III: CHRONIC HEALTH PROBLEMS | 2-6 |
| NRSG 684 | ADVANCED CHILDREN'S HEALTH PRACTICUM | 1-5 |
| Total Credit Hours | 22-35 | |
Pediatric Primary and Acute Care NP: BSN to DNP Program
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NRSG 605 | ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY | 4 |
| NRSG 606 | APPLIED PHARMACOLOGY FOR ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSES | 3 |
| NRSG 607 | ADVANCED ASSESSMENT AND CLINICAL REASONING ACROSS THE LIFESPAN | 3 |
| NRSG 608 | TRANSITION TO NURSE PRACTITIONER PRACTICE | 1 |
| NRSG 609 | HEALTH PROMOTION FOR POPULATIONS | 3 |
| NRSG 671 | PRIMARY CARE AND HEALTH PROMOTION IN CHILDREN'S HEALTH | 3-5 |
| NRSG 672 | PRIMARY CARE OF CHILDREN II: ACUTE HEALTH PROBLEMS | 2-5 |
| NRSG 673 | PRIMARY CARE OF CHILDREN III: CHRONIC HEALTH PROBLEMS | 2-6 |
| NRSG 684 | ADVANCED CHILDREN'S HEALTH PRACTICUM | 1-5 |
| NRSG 688 | SPECIAL TOPICS (CLINICAL) IN ACUTE CARE NURSING | 1-6 |
| UNIV OF IOWA NURS 6400 | (Acute Care I) | 3 |
| UNIV OF IOWA NURS 6401 | (Acute Care II) | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 29-47 | |
+ Indicates courses that are part of a consortium between UNMC, UMKC and University of Iowa
Psychiatric Mental Health NP: BSN to DNP Program
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NRSG 605 | ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY | 4 |
| NRSG 606 | APPLIED PHARMACOLOGY FOR ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSES | 3 |
| NRSG 607 | ADVANCED ASSESSMENT AND CLINICAL REASONING ACROSS THE LIFESPAN | 3 |
| NRSG 608 | TRANSITION TO NURSE PRACTITIONER PRACTICE | 1 |
| NRSG 609 | HEALTH PROMOTION FOR POPULATIONS | 3 |
| NRSG 662 | COUNSELING MODELS IN ADVANCED PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSING | 2-3 |
| NRSG 663 | ADVANCED PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSING WITH ADULTS | 2-4 |
| NRSG 664 | ADVANCED PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSING WITH CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS | 2-4 |
| NRSG 665 | NEUROSCIENCE PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY FOR ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSING | 2 |
| NRSG 668 | PRACTICUM IN ADVANCED PSYCHATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSING | 1-8 |
| Total Credit Hours | 23-35 | |
- 1
7 cr. Total needed for NRSG 668, which can be taken over 1 or more semesters.
- 2
3-5 cr. to result in 7 cr. NRSG 668 total during program of study
Women’s Health NP: BSN to DNP Program
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NRSG 605 | ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY | 4 |
| NRSG 606 | APPLIED PHARMACOLOGY FOR ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSES | 3 |
| NRSG 607 | ADVANCED ASSESSMENT AND CLINICAL REASONING ACROSS THE LIFESPAN | 3 |
| NRSG 608 | TRANSITION TO NURSE PRACTITIONER PRACTICE | 1 |
| NRSG 609 | HEALTH PROMOTION FOR POPULATIONS | 3 |
| NRSG 676 | ADVANCED PRACTICE WOMEN'S HEALTH CARE I | 2 |
| NRSG 677 | ADVANCED PRACTICE WOMEN'S HEALTH CARE II | 3 |
| NRSG 678 | ADVANCED PRACTICE WOMEN'S HEALTH CARE III | 2 |
| NRSG 679 | ADVANCED PRACTICE WOMEN'S HEALTH CARE CLINICAL | 14 |
| Total Credit Hours | 35 | |