BSN to DNP Nurse Practitioner (D.N.P.)
Website: https://www.fgcu.edu/mariebcollege/nursing/bsndnp.aspx
(239) 590-7505Program Description
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) Nurse Practitioner program at FGCU is designed to prepare graduates with the advanced nursing knowledge and leadership skills to improve health care outcomes and to provide evidence-based nursing across diverse health care settings and systems. The curriculum focuses on providing nurses with the solid science foundation needed to enhance critical reasoning judgment in the management of complex health care situations. Core and specialty courses for the D.N.P. provide knowledge, skills and attributes essential for fully accountable practice in today's health care environment. Emphasis is on innovative and evidence-based nursing practice to meet the demands associated with the increasing complexity of the health care system, improving the safety and quality of patient care delivery, and influencing health care policy.
The D.N.P. will include both full-time and part-time plans of study to meet the needs of working nurses. Graduates of the B.S.N. to D.N.P. Nurse Practitioner program are eligible to seek national certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
Program of Study: The B.S.N. to D.N.P. Nurse Practitioner consists of 81 credits that can be completed in eight semesters of full-time study or 11 semesters of part-time study.
Concentrations
- Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration
- Psychiatric Mental Health NP Concentration
Program Accreditation
The Doctor of Nursing Practice program in nursing at FGCU is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org)
Program Admission Requirements
The application deadline for priority admission to the DNP Program is March 1. After March 1, applications may be accepted on a space available basis.
Students are admitted to the program for the Fall semester only.
The BSN to DNP is for students who hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an institution that maintains accreditation by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting body and a BSN program accredited by CCNE or ACEN, or the equivalent bachelor's degree in nursing from a foreign institution. The BSN to DNP curriculum requires 81 credit hours of coursework that includes a minimum of 1000 practice hours and a DNP Project. The program is designed to be completed in either a full-time or part-time plan of study. Classes will be offered in a variety of formats including face-to-face, online, hybrid and clinical practice.
Note: Timeframe and process for admission to the Psychiatric Mental Health Concentration is under development.
BSN to DNP Major Application Requirements:
- Submit all applications and supporting documentation through NursingCas, a centralized application system for nursing programs, to be considered for admission to the DNP Program
- Submit only official transcript(s) for all colleges and universities attended, including a bachelor's degree in nursing transcript from a nationally accredited (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education [CCNE] or Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing [ACEN]) nursing program, and an institution that maintains accreditation by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting body (https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/higher-education-laws-and-policy/college-accreditation) or equivalent foreign institution.
- Show evidence of a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 hours of the BSN degree.
- Provide copy of an unrestricted Florida RN license, or eligibility for the RN licensure in Florida.
- Provide evidence of a minimum of one year full-time current experience or its part-time equivalent as a registered nurse in an acute care hospital setting.
- Provide a current resume or curriculum vitae. Provide personal statement of professional goals in 300 to 350 words.
- International students must demonstrate English language proficiency in accordance with University regulation.
- Show completion of the following undergraduate level nursing courses with a grade of "C" or better: Health Assessment and Statistics.
- If applicable, applicants who have attended but not completed another DNP or doctoral nursing program must provide an official transcript from that program and a letter of standing from the dean of the school of nursing (or designee) that also addresses potential for success in a DNP program.
- A personal interview may be required with designated faculty.
- Provide three professional references that indicate your potential for doctoral study, clinical proficiency, and academic competence. References should include:
- one from a faculty
- one from a supervisor
- one from a registered nurse, APRN, or physician familiar with the applicant's professional expertise
- Please request references through NursingCAS in the Applicant Evaluation Section.
Program Progression and Additional Graduation Requirements
- Students must follow a Program of Study approved by the Program Director or designee.
- Students must receive a grade of "B" ("S" if applicable) or better on all courses within the program curriculum.
- Students must meet specific progression, clinical and graduation requirements. See the D.N.P. Program Guidebook, General Academic Policies and FGCU Graduation Requirements.
- Successful completion of a minimum of 81 credits, based on the concentration, of doctoral level course work.
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater in the D.N.P. program.
- Completion of Nurse Practitioner Certification exam review course.
- Completion of clinical practice requirements.
- Completion of D.N.P. Project requirements.
- Submit an application for graduation by the semester deadline listed in the FGCU Academic Calendar.
- Students must register for a minimum of one credit during the semester in which they apply for graduation.
- Earn more than 50% of the credit toward the degree through FGCU.