D'Youville's family nurse practitioner to doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree is designed for advanced practice nurses who seek to enhance their knowledge and professional future in an ever-evolving, integrative healthcare system. Graduates of this terminal degree program will fill the national demand for nursing leaders that are competent clinicians as well as scholars who will translate research into practice to achieve optimal patient care outcomes. The DNP is offered in a convenient blend of hybrid and online course formats.

Program Outline

As healthcare has become more complex, the demand for health care professionals who can successfully collaborate as part of a multi-functional healthcare teams has become more important than ever. Doctors of Nursing Practice (Family Nurse Practitioner) expand on what they’ve learned as advance practice nurses (APRNs) to take on leadership roles in primary patient care, healthcare administration, research, and education. Our doctoral program combines traditional coursework with clinical fieldwork, doctoral-level research and hybrid/online learning over the course of six to eight semesters, allow you to complete the program in as little as three years. If you’re a professional nurse who wants to enhance your knowledge and expand your professional career prospects, earning your doctor of nursing practice degree with a focus in family nurse practitioner might be the ideal offering you’ve been searching for.

Please refer to the general Academic Policies and Procedures section of this catalog for health, C.P.R., and malpractice insurance requirements. Students must register with CastleBranch for their document repository. Students must also read and acknowledge the Criminal History and Background Check policy.

In the Specific Area of Concentration

Interdisciplinary Course Work Required for this Major

Total credits: 34

An individual gap analysis assessment will be made of each applicant's transcripts to determine what additional courses or clinical hours may be needed to satisfy the DNP requirements.

Academic Regulations

In addition to the general academic regulations, all matriculated students in the nurse practitioner program must fulfill these requirements:

1. Completion of 34 credit-hours (Doctorate of Nursing Science).
2. Students on academic probation are limited to six credits per semester while on probation.
   1. Students in Doctoral Nursing Programs are expected to maintain a cumulative and semester GPA of 3.0. Students who do not maintain this GPA will be reviewed by the Progression and Retention Committee for academic consequences. A student who has less than a 3.0 GPA in either semester or cumulative, at any time will be placed on academic probation for the next semester or summer session. At the end of the probation period, the student’s file will be reviewed by the program Graduate Progression and Retention committee. If the student’s cumulative or semester GPA is a minimum of 3.0, the student will be removed from probation.
   2.  If the student does not achieve the 3.0 cumulative or semester GPA after a first probation, the graduate progression and retention committee may consider a second semester of probation. If a minimum of 3.0 GPA (cumulative or semester) is not achieved after a second probation, the student will automatically be ineligible to continue in their program.
   3. A student will be allowed probationary status for no more than two semesters during the entire graduate program. The student will automatically be ineligible to continue in their program if in excess of two semesters.
3. Students cannot register for clinical courses in the D.N.P. program until formally accepted into the program.
4. Doctoral Nurse Practitioner students are required to receive at least a B in all capstone courses (NUR 711, NUR 712, NUR 713) required for the DNP degree. Students who receive less than a B, including a B-, C+, C or lower in these courses, will have to repeat that course, will be placed on probation and cannot take any of the clinical practicum courses until they raise their grade in the applicable course to at least a B. They are also limited to six credits while on probation.
5. Student responsibilities: The doctoral nursing program is a demanding program in coursework, time, commitment and financial obligation. Due to these responsibilities for the program, students should seriously evaluate the impact that employment may have on their clinical performance and academic progress.

Admissions Criteria For Doctorate Of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.)

1. Completion of a master's degree with specialty preparation as family nurse practitioner from a CCNE or NLNAC accredited program at a college or university (or CNO in Ontario) OR current enrollment with a status of good standing in the Master of Science Family Nurse Practitioner program in the Patricia H. Garman School of Nursing with a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or greater. 

2. Minimum graduate grade point average of 3.25 (based on a 4.0 system).

3. Official transcripts from each college or university attended; this must include all undergraduate and graduate work.

4. Copy of an active, unencumbered license as a professional registered nurse and advanced practice certification in New York state or Ontario.

5. Current CPR certification with a psychomotor component.

6. Copy of current national certification (or exam-eligibility) as an advanced practice nursing in a specialty area (where applicable).

7. Documentation of the number of clinical hours completed in prior master's degree program.

8. At least two years of relevant professional experience.

9. Current resume or curriculum vitae.

10. Evidence of active membership on CV in at least one professional organization.

11. Favorable review with a panel of D'Youville College nursing faculty members.

12. Three letters of reference; the faculty prefer that one come from a college-level professor if possible and at least one from an employer or colleague with an advanced or terminal degree, focusing on the applicant's potential for success in the doctoral program.

13. A written personal statement outlining how the applicant expects this degree to assist in achieving specific career goals.

14. Any applicant may choose to submit GRE scores if they believe their application does not adequately reflect their potential to succeed in a doctoral program.

15. If an applicant meets all admission criteria and is attending or has previously attended a doctoral program, he or she must submit a letter from that school of nursing stating the applicant is in good standing and can register for classes.