Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) 

OVERVIEW 

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a practice-oriented doctoral degree that prepares graduates with the knowledge and skills to translate research into practice and improve patient outcomes across populations. USF’s DNP program can be completed in Advanced Practice Registered Nursing tracks of Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. The DNP can also be completed with concentrations in education, administration, leadership, and business. Finally, for nurses who already hold an MSN, the MSN-DNP track is an option.  

The DNP program is designed for part-time or full-time study. Part-time students typically complete their degree requirements in four years, while full-time students complete their degree requirements in three years. All students must complete degree requirements in five years. 

Classes are offered in a hybrid format, with a portion of each class online and a portion on campus. Students and faculty negotiate clinical sites with experienced preceptors. Graduate Nursing Orientation is an online experience for all new students. 

 

TRACKS

• Post Associate of Applied Science in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice - Leadership

• Post Associate of Applied Science in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice AGACNP

• Post Associate of Applied Science in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice PMHNP

• Post Associate of Applied Science in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice FNP

• Post Bachelor of Science in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice - Leadership

• Post Bachelor of Science in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice AGACNP

• Post Bachelor of Science in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice PMHNP

• Post Bachelor of Science in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice FNP

• Post MSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice - Leadership, AGACNP, PMHNP,  FNP

CERTIFICATES

• Post Graduate Certificate AGACNP

• Post Graduate Certificate PMHNP

• Post Graduate Certificate FNP

MISSION AND VISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF NURSING 

Mission: Guided by Franciscan Values, the Division of Nursing engages a diverse community of learners to serve society holistically as compassionate, professional nurse leaders.

Vision: The Division of Nursing provides a transformational learning experience through continued academic excellence, innovation and collaboration that produces exceptional graduates who lead the profession with wisdom, vision, and compassion.

GRADUATE NURSING STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES 

• Integrate Franciscan principles and holistic, evidenced-based nursing care into advanced practice nursing appropriate to area of specialization.  

•  Synthesize current and emerging science and theories from nursing and other disciplines in the application and evaluation of advanced nursing practice to benefit individuals across the lifespan, aggregates, communities, and health care systems.  

• Serve in an advanced leadership role to transform nursing practice in complex systems considering cultural, political, organizational and economic implications.  

• Improve patient and population health outcomes by cultivating interprofessional networks that support mentorship, knowledge development, shared decision-making and professional growth.  

• Analyze health policy initiatives that improve cost-effective healthcare delivery, advocate for vulnerable patient populations, and promote nursing practice.  

• Utilize information and technology to manage knowledge, mitigate error, collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, and improve patient and population health outcomes local to global.  

• Promote the translation of research in nursing practice through continuous scholarship and disseminate research evidence that improves health outcomes in a variety of populations, clinical settings, and systems.  

 

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS 

• All students seeking Graduate Nursing program admissions must apply through NursingCAS.org.

• Meet general admission standards for graduate education at the University of Saint Francis. 

• Hold an associate, baccalaureate, or master’s degree in nursing.   

• Associate degree graduates apply for the ASN-Graduate Nursing Program track.   

• Baccalaureate degree graduates apply to the Graduate Nursing program.   

• Master’s degree in nursing graduates apply for the Post-Graduate Nursing Program track.     

• Hold a current license as a Registered Nurse.   

• Have an undergraduate GPA of 3.20 on a four-point scale. (See admission criteria below about provisional admission if GPA is less than 3.2.)   

• Submit a resume or Curriculum Vitae.   

• Submit three (3) letters of reference from professional and/or academic contacts.   

• Complete and submit the USF Graduate Nursing Essay.   

• Complete admission interview (Personal Interview).   

• Students who already hold an APRN certification or other degree have a Gap Analysis completed to determine if any courses can be waived as content has already be taken in a prior degree.

 

Applicants who are missing an application item can be admitted “conditionally”. Conditionally accepted students may take one semester of coursework. No subsequent registration is permitted until all required materials are on file with Enrollment Services in the Graduate School and a final admission decision has been made.    

   

Applicants who do not meet academic program entrance standards may be admitted to a graduate program “provisionally”. Students admitted provisionally are required to meet specific criteria as set by the program director to be fully accepted. The semester in which the student is under provisional status due to admission GPA will serve as the semester of academic probation.