Post M.S.N. - D.N.P. in Nursing

Graduates of the post-M.S.N.-D.N.P. option are expected to be experts in designing, implementing, managing and evaluating healthcare delivery systems. Simultaneously, they will know how to manage the complex balance between quality of care, access and fiscal responsibilities. Individuals have the option of a Clinical Leadership focus in their current specialty, an Executive Leadership option, or the option of completing the D.N.P degree with a new or additional APRN specialty. Specialties 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.

Admission Criteria

• Graduate grade-point average of 3.3 on a 4.0 grading scale
• Master’s degree in nursing from a nationally accredited program
• Goal Statement: In one to three double-spaced pages, discuss your reasons for seeking doctoral study, including your short-and long-term professional goals. Discuss a system or population you are interested in working with and identify/discuss a system or health problem in that population that you wish to study as a practice inquiry project.
• An example of scholarly written work, completed within two years of application, related to nursing that demonstrates excellent writing skills and the ability to communicate clearly and logically. Samples of scholarly work: formal research paper written in M.S.N. program; published article on a nursing issue; or paper written on nursing issue of interest to applicant
• Three references attesting to the applicants’ expertise in nursing or health care. Faculty prefer professional references from nursing faculty advisor if available or a nursing faculty member who knows the applicant, one from a doctorally prepared Registered Nurse, and no more than one from peer.
• Unencumbered licensure to practice in Kentucky or in the state in which clinicals will occur (prerequisite to clinical experience)
• Interview(s) with D.N.P. faculty
• A minimum of 460 clinical practice hours from a formal graduate program and certification as applicable. (Applicants who cannot demonstrate a minimum of 460 clinical clock hours of practice will be expected to complete clinical course work beyond the proposed curriculum.)
• Current vita