Combined Programs (MSN/DNP)

Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Doctor of Nursing Practice (BSN-DNP)

Academic Guidelines

Admission Requirements
  1. A current unencumbered United States Registered Nurse license(s) in student's state of residence. Two years of experience as a Registered Nurse is preferred.
  2. Official transcripts documenting a baccalaureate degree in Nursing from a program accredited by a national organization responsible for nursing accreditation (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACNE), Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or their equivalent). Transcripts should document a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale on all undergraduate and graduate coursework. 
  3. Completion of a 3 credit undergraduate or graduate Statistics course with an earned grade of B or above.
  4. Two professional letters of recommendation supporting the applicant’s potential for success in the Doctoral program. Recommendations will be accepted from direct supervisors/managers, faculty, nurse leaders and/or preceptors. Recommenders must be able to address the applicant’s potential for success in a graduate nursing program.  Recommendations will not be accepted from family or friends.
  5. Resume or CV with application that includes work experience, educational, leadership and professional organization activities, and scholarly activities including publications, presentations, research, honors, and awards.
  6. An personal statement of a maximum of 1000 words that addresses the following (Please be thorough and concise with a minimum of two and a maximum of four, double-spaced pages 12 font essay). Discuss your personal and professional reasons for seeking the BSN-DNP (BSN-DNP-FNP or BSN-DNP-PMHNP) role at this time and how furthering your education will influence your practice as a clinical leader. Please include the following:
  • Depending on the program to which you are applying (BSN-DNP-FNP or BSN-DNP-PMHNP), explain your understanding of the role and why you are interested in this particular role. 
  • Describe your personal strengths and experiences (leadership roles, nursing experience, and community service) that will contribute to your success in graduate school.
  • Identify 1-2 long-term goals and how seeking an advanced nursing degree will support these goals.
  • Describe an area of interest that could be a topic for your future DNP Project.

*An interview with faculty will be required.

Registration Procedures

Before or during the first half of the first semester, students are encouraged to meet with their faculty advisor to map out a curriculum plan. For the remainder of the program students are responsible for registering for their own classes. View the Registration Procedures section of this catalog for additional information on registration.

Program Delivery

BSN-DNP Family Nurse Practitioner:

The Family Nurse Practitioner program is offered using a distance learning methodology* and requires students to be on campus for one intensive.

BSN-DNP Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner:

The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program is offered using a distance learning methodology* and requires students to be on campus for one intensive.

*Online refers to the definition from the Higher Learning Commission: Distance-delivered courses are those in which all or the vast majority (typically 75% or more) of the instruction and interaction occurs via electronic communication, correspondence, or equivalent mechanisms, with the faculty and students physically separated from each other.

Academic Advising

Upon admission to the DNP program, the student is assigned to a graduate faculty member who will work with the student to develop a curriculum plan. Students are encouraged to meet with their advisors prior to registration each semester to confirm their program plan. Upon development of the DNP Proposal, students are then assigned to an advisor who will work with them throughout the program on the DNP Project.

DNP Project

All Walsh Byers School of Nursing Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) students must complete a DNP Project. The project is a faculty-guided scholarly experience that provides evidence of critical thinking ability to apply research principles through problem identification, proposal development, implementation, and evaluation of a problem significant to nursing practice. The DNP project gives the student an opportunity to integrate newly learned skills into practice while demonstrating excellence in nursing scholarship.