Doctor of Nursing Practice

• DNP Course Sequence

Program Description

The Department of Nursing plans to offer two Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) tracks, clinical (Family Nurse Practitioner) and non-clinical (Organizational Leadership). The nurse practitioner professional degree is transitioning from a master’s model to a doctoral model for entry into advanced practice. The DNP program prepares nurses for the highest level of professional nursing practice, equipping them to transform patient care in the contemporary and highly complex healthcare settings. Organizational Leadership focuses on health policy, finance, information technology, evidence-based practice focusing on translational research, implementation science, and patient safety are emphasized. Advanced knowledge and skills in patient treatment, diagnosis, and evaluation through graduate level education will prepare the advance practice registered nurse in the acute and primary care settings which are emphasized in the Family Nurse Practitioner track. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) has endorsed shifting the entry education level for advanced nursing practice from a Master of Science in Nursing to a Doctor of Nursing Practice. Doctorate level education is necessary for advanced practice nurses to compete in the job market because the number of nurses holding a DNP is quickly increasing. The demand for well-educated primary care providers and nurse leaders is rapidly increasing. Statistic show that DNP programs are quickly growing with 357 programs enrolling and graduating students and 106 programs currently in the planning phase. Nursing programs in all 50 states offer DNP degrees. Some states such as California, Florida, Illinois, Texas, and New York assert that each have 10 or more programs. Recent statistics indicate DNP enrollment growth in one year by almost 3400 and DNP graduate growth in that same year by 9000 thus filling the gap between research and health care implementation. Thus, a DNP program at AHU in the Department of Nursing is needed and timely to help fill the need for primary care providers.

Accreditation

SACSCOC in process

Delivery Mode

Online with Campus Intensives

Admission

Admission as a graduate student requires that the applicant:

1. Apply online and a nonrefundable $50 dollar application fee. Admission files are not considered complete until the application fee is paid. Any documents received without an application on file will not be processed. 
2. Submit a non-refundable $500 dollar deposit upon acceptance to the DNP program. The fee applies toward tuition and holds a place in the current cohort.
3. Submit official transcripts from all colleges previously attended. Admission GPAs will be calculated based on credits from regionally accredited institutions only. Failure to disclose all colleges previously attended could result in denial or dismissal. 
4. Submit a copy of an active unencumbered RN license for the state of residence. 
5. Hold a Master of Science or a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing with an overall cumulative GPA of 3.0 and nursing GPA of 3.0. 
6. Have a minimum of 2 years of direct patient care within the past 5 years for a clinical DNP.
7. Will complete a live/virtual face-to-face interview.
8. Must pass the drug screen and the FDLE background check as stipulated by AHU. Students with criminal backgrounds are not eligible to sit for the national certification boards and will not meet the requirements for acceptance into the program.
9. Visit their state board’s website for the most updated and accurate information. Note that licensure eligibility determinations are ultimately determined by the appropriate state board that issues the credential to practice. If you are unsure whether you are eligible for the Graduate Nursing programs based on your state of residence, please contact our Admissions Coordinator.

10. MSN students, admitted into the DNP- Family Nurse Practitioner Track, who have not successfully passed the National Family Nurse Practitioner Certification exam will be required to take DNPC802.

Progression 

Students who enter the program with a Master of Science in Nursing degree will have a shorter course of study. Students who enter with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing will be responsible for completing the full program. Any course failure or withdrawal will result in dismissal from the program with no option for readmission. There is not a stop out option for the clinical track in the DNP program. Students in the non-clinical track may stop out at the completion of the MSN program requirements.

Doctoral Students will:

1. Earn a grade of B or higher in each course.

2. Complete the course of study within 5 years if holding a MSN.

3. Complete the course of study within 7 years if holding a BSN. 

4. Maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher to continue in the DNP program.

Completion

AdventHealth University will consider students for graduation and conferral of a DNP when the general requirements for graduation are met (see Graduation in the “Academic Information” section in the Academic Catalog) and when:  

1. Students entering with an MSN must complete a minimum of 49 (Organizational Leadership DNP) or 42 (Clinical DNP) credit hours to graduate.
2. Students entering with a BSN must complete a minimum of 81 (Organizational Leadership DNP) or 91 (Clinical DNP) credit hours to graduate.
3. Students must maintain a minimum nursing GPA of 3.0 and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 to complete the program.
4. Achievement of a minimum grade of “B” (3.0) in each nursing, cognate, and general education course.

Note: AdventHealth University does not accept transfer of graduate course credits to meet requirements for its professional clinical graduate programs.

Graduation Requirements

AdventHealth University will consider students for graduation and conferral of a DNP when the general requirements for graduation are met (see Graduation in the “Academic Information” section in the Academic Catalog).

The graduation requirements for the program are:

1. Students entering with an MSN must complete a minimum of 49 (Organizational Leadership DNP) or 42 Clinical DNP) credit hours to graduate.

2. Students entering with a BSN must complete a minimum of 81 (Organizational Leadership DNP) or 91 (Clinical DNP) credit hours to graduate.

3. Students must maintain a minimum nursing GPA of 3.0 and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 to complete the program.

4. Achievement of a minimum grade of “B” (3.0) in each nursing, cognate, and general education course.