Nursing: Doctor of Nursing Practice — DNP

 The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is the terminal practice degree for advanced nursing practice. The DNP degree program at Auburn University College of Nursing can be completed as a post-master's or BSN to DNP program. The post-master’s DNP is designed for students who are advanced practice registered nurses and hold national certification in the advanced practice role prior to starting the DNP program. The BSN to DNP is designed for students who have completed a BSN program and hold licensure as a registered nurse.

The DNP program is designed to prepare nurses for the highest level of clinical nursing practice with a focus on enhancing leadership skills, improving patient outcomes, and translating research into practice. The program emphasizes evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and systems leadership, equipping nurses with the advanced knowledge and skills needed to lead in various healthcare settings. Courses are delivered primarily online, with some on-campus requirements.

Post-Master's DNP Pathway

The post-master's DNP pathway is designed for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who already hold a master's degree in nursing. This pathway builds on the competencies acquired at the master's level and provides additional specialized knowledge and skills. The pathway requires 41 credit hours and can be completed in six semesters of full-time study. Students complete a practice-focused scholarly project and 300 practicum hours during the last three semesters of study. Some students may need to complete more credits beyond the 40 required for graduation to meet the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Standards for Accreditation of Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing Programs (2024) practicum hour requirement of at least 1,000 post-baccalaureate practicum hours. Students may take and repeat NURS 8540 Advanced Practice Practicum until the 1,000 hours are achieved.

BSN to DNP Pathway

The BSN to DNP pathway is tailored for registered nurses who hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and wish to pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. This pathway requires 71 credit hours, 1,140 practicum hours, and can be completed in nine semesters of full-time study. Once students in this pathway complete the first six semesters, they become eligible to sit for the Nurse Practitioner (NP) certification exam.

Admission to the DNP Program is competitive and all qualified applicants may not be admitted. All applications must meet the admission criteria for applications to be considered complete and to be considered for admission. 

Admission Criteria

• Submission of all official transcripts to the Graduate School
• Nursing GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (in master's program for post-MSN)
• Good academic standing from last university attended
• A master's degree (post-MSN pathway) or bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN to DNP pathway) from an accredited nursing program: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), or NLN Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA).
• Current unencumbered license as a registered nurse in the state in which student plans to participate in clinical experience
• National certification and recognition or licensure as a nurse practitioner or nurse anesthetist in the state where practicing
• Three professional references for online recommendation form – References should be qualified to judge abilities to be successful in graduate studies.
• 500-word Professional Goal Statement; statement will address reasons for pursuing the DNP degree, past clinical experiences, career goals, and past achievements.
• Resume or curriculum vitae
• Personal interview with a faculty member may be required

College of Nursing Specific Admission and Progression Information

• If applicant is currently a student in last semester of a BSN or MSN NP program (at time of application), the applicant must submit a request for waiver of the BSN and RN licensure or MSN and NP certification admission requirements to the DNP Coordinator. If waiver request is approved and applicant is admitted, the student must complete the degree in good standing prior to enrollment and must obtain the RN licensure or NP certification during the first semester of study. These applicants will be admitted under provisional status until all admission requirements are fulfilled. An official transcript indicating completion of the degree must be submitted directly to the Graduate School and documentation of RN licensure or NP Certification must be submitted to AU College of Nursing before the student will be a fully approved admission. If a waiver is obtained, these applicants will be considered based on the nursing GPA on the current transcript.
• Applicants may be admitted under provisional status, if otherwise qualified, if the nursing GPA is less than 3.0 on 4.0 scale.
• Once the student has completed 9 hours of graduate credit with a cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale, the provisional status will be removed. Failure to meet the requirement as stated will prevent progression in the nursing graduate program.
• Students must complete the Letter of Intent form sent by the AU College of Nursing, accept enrollment within their application, and meet all compliance requirements by the deadline indicated on the admission offer.
• Students are required to provide compliance documentation and must complete a background check and drug screen. All compliance documentation, background check, drug screen, and any requirements by Auburn University and/or College of Nursing must be completed by the deadline indicated, prior to registering for courses. Students who fail to satisfy all requirements for admission within the specified time period will be dismissed from the nursing graduate program.
• To progress through the program, students must receive a grade of at least a B in all courses. Students earning any two course grades of less than a B will be dismissed from the graduate program.

POST-MASTERS DNP PATHWAY

• Intensives: May include, but not limited to: *1st Intensive: Basic APA; Scholarly Writing, Handbook; Library; Office of University Writing; Organization & Self-Care; Rural Health - *2^nd Intensive: ABCs of Research - *3^rd Intensive: Statistics Workshop/Excel; Health Professions with UG students; Health Assessment Lab
• Each intensive will include various requirements and may extend up to one week. 
• Full-time students are admitted in Fall semester only. Students admitted in Summer or Spring semesters will be part-time. Part-time plans will vary and will be individualized.
• Courses are taught only during the semester in which each is listed.

BSN-DNP PATHWAY (Bachelor to Doctorate)

•  Intensives: May include, but not limited to: *1st Intensive: Basic APA; Scholarly Writing, Handbook; Library; Office of University Writing; Organization & Self-Care; Rural Health - *2^nd Intensive: ABCs of Research - *3^rd Intensive: Statistics Workshop/Excel; Health Professions with UG students; Health Assessment Lab
• **NP Intensives – May include, but not limited to: Patient based simulation labs with standardized patients; lab intensives; community practice opportunities
• Each intensive will include various requirements and may extend up to one week.  
• Full-time students are admitted in Fall semester only. Students admitted in Summer or Spring semesters will be part-time. Part-time plans will vary and will be individualized.
• Courses are taught only during the semester in which each is listed.
• After successful completion of year two summer semester, students have the option to receive their MSN NP degree to allow the opportunity to take board exams for NP certification. If students opt to have MSN degree conferred, they will remain enrolled in the BSN-DNP pathway.