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Why Earn a DNP for Advanced Practice Registered Nursing?

A DNP is considered the gold standard in education for today’s advanced practice registered nurses. Professional organizations, including the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF), recommend that a DNP be the required degree for APRNs.

As the healthcare industry works through this anticipated transition, many clinical and leadership roles in nursing that previously required a master’s degree now prefer a doctorate.

Skills for an In-Demand Field

Advanced practice registered nurses are in high demand. The Bureau of Labor Statistics cites it as the second fastest growing profession in the nation. Employment is expected to grow 45% between 2022 and 2032 with more than 29,000 positions per year.

The DNP prepares professionals to make complex nursing and leadership decisions. As a student in our program, you will develop into a versatile and strategic healthcare professional with expertise in:

• Practice management
• Risk management
• Outcomes measurement
• Patient advocacy
• Health information
• Research and scholarship

Prepare to Lead in Nursing

DNP-prepared APRNs are positioned to meet the needs and complexities of the growing healthcare system—as practitioners devoted to patient care, executive leaders who guide healthcare teams and educators preparing the next generation of professionals.

Increased Earnings

DNP-prepared APRNs typically earn a higher salary than their master’s-level counterparts. Payscale reports a $9,000 difference between DNP- and MSN-prepared nurses.

Why 51���� for Your DNP?

Our core values provide an added value. When you pursue your DNP at 51����, you’ll not only gain top-level skills and knowledge, but you’ll develop into a healthcare professional who reveres the dignity of each patient, respects all creation and is dedicated to serving others.

Strong Reputation

Our DNP program builds upon a long history of outstanding nursing education. The most respected healthcare organizations in the region trust 51���� graduates to be well-prepared and ready to serve. The university’s strong reputation, quality education and flexible hybrid format make it an ideal program for working nurses across the Midwest and beyond.

Flexible Structure and Schedule

51����’ DNP program was created specifically for working nurses, with a flexible hybrid format. “Intensives” bring students and faculty together twice a semester for in-person learning which includes lectures, group work, simulations, patient visits and more. The rest of the semester involves flexible synchronous and asynchronous online learning.

Excellent First-Time Exam Pass Rates

Graduates of our DNP program have a 100% pass rate on board certification exams through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).

DNP Concentration

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

Family nurse practitioners focus on providing primary care services to patients of all ages, with special emphasis on patient education, disease prevention and health promotion. With the increasing shortage of primary care physicians—especially in rural areas with underserved populations—FNPs fill an essential gap in primary care and are in high demand.

APRN Career Opportunities

Once you’ve passed your APRN certification exam, you can work as a registered nurse practitioner in a wide range of healthcare settings, from hospitals and specialty clinics to outpatient and community centers.

Additionally, your prior nursing experience coupled with a DNP degree can open you up to other career opportunities, including:

• Chief nursing officer
• Director of nursing
• Nursing administrator
• Nursing educator
• Program director
• Healthcare consultant

DNP Careers: Where You’ll Find Our Graduates

51���� graduates work as advanced practice registered nurses and in other clinical and administrative nursing positions at a variety of locations, including:

• Adams Health Network
• Beaufort Memorial Hospital
• Bowen Center
• Clean Recovery Centers
• Illinois Department of Corrections
• Indiana University Health
• Manchester University
• Methodist Hospitals
• Northeast Internal Medicine Association
• Parkview Health
• St. Vincent Health
• 51����
• U.S. Navy Reserve

Accreditation

Accreditor: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

The Graduate Programs and/or post-graduate APRN certificate programs at 51���� are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

Date of Next Review: 2034

Original Date of Accreditation: 2019

Date of Most Recent Review: 2024

Results of Most Recent Accreditation Review: Initial accreditation was granted for 5 years in 2019.