Doctor of Nursing Practice

The Doctor of Nursing Practice program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org). Additional information can be found at: unlv.edu/provost/vpaa/accreditation

Plan Description

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a terminal professional practice degree. The goal of the DNP program is to prepare nurses to assume leadership roles in clinical practice, administration, and clinical research. The DNP differs from the PhD in Nursing or Doctor of Nursing Science degrees, emphasizing advanced clinical practice, implementation of best practices, and evaluation of practice and care delivery models rather than individually initiated research. The DNP program prepares graduates for advanced clinical practice and leadership roles to serve the health care needs of the people of Nevada, the nation, and the professional community. DNP graduates are equipped to assume a wide range of leadership roles in both direct and indirect health care settings. DNP graduates may function as specialists in their advanced practice clinical roles or as healthcare executives, program and policy analysts.

DNP Program Learning Outcomes:
The goal of the DNP degree is to prepare nurses to assume leadership roles in clinical practice and health care leadership and analysis. At the conclusion of the University of Nevada DNP program, graduates will:

  1. Provide advanced nursing care to improve patient and population health care outcomes in various direct and indirect settings.
  2. Take leadership roles in the analysis, delivery and management of nursing care and health care systems.
  3. Provide evidence-based practice through the application of analytical methods, information systems technology, and clinical research.
  4. Collaborate with interprofessional teams to meet the healthcare needs of culturally and ethnically diverse individuals and populations.
  5. Act as change agent, leader, and advocate in the design, implementation, and evaluation of health care policy as it affects populations and the nursing profession.

For more information about your program, including your graduate program handbook and learning outcomes please visit the Degree Directory.

Plan Admission Requirements

Post-Master’s Tracks:

All domestic and international applicants must review and follow the Graduate College Admission and Registration Requirements .

Advanced Practice Track:

  1. Hold a baccalaureate degree in nursing from an accredited CNEA or CCNE nursing program.
  2. Hold a master’s degree in nursing (MSN or MN). Exceptions to this will be made on a case-by-case basis and only for those students who hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing with a master’s degree in another health-related field (e.g., MPH, MHA, etc.). Coursework from non-nursing master’s degree must have significant content from nursing or a nursing focus. At a minimum, graduate level coursework must demonstrate a substantial study of Nursing Theory, Research, and Health Policy.
  3. Have completed graduate-level course work with a grade of B or better in advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, physical assessment, nursing theory, research, and healthcare policy.
  4. Have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or higher at the graduate level.
  5. Hold an unencumbered license as a registered nurse and as an advanced practice nurse commensurate with state licensure.
  6. Interviews may be required.
  7. Hold national certification in an advanced practice role from a nationally recognized certification/credentialing organization.

Nurse Executive Track:

  1. Hold a baccalaureate degree in nursing from an accredited CNEA or CCNE nursing program.
  2. Hold a master’s degree in nursing (MSN or MN). Exceptions to this will be made on a case-by-case basis and only for those students who hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing with a master’s degree in another health-related field (i.e. MBA, MHA, MPH, etc.). Coursework from non-nursing majors must have significant content from nursing or a nursing focus. At a minimum, graduate level coursework must demonstrate a substantial study of Nursing Theory, Research, and Healthcare policy. Students who have not completed a graduate level course in healthcare policy must complete NURS 719R within the first year of study in the DNP program.
  3. Have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) in the master’s degree program.
  4. Hold an unencumbered license as a registered nurse.
  5. Interviews may be required.
  6. Hold national certification (or be eligible for certification) in an advanced practice role or an area of specialization or expertise.
  7. Provide documentation of at least 500 hours of practice in a leadership role from educational experience, practice experience, or equivalent course work in the area of administration (i.e. MHA, MPH, MBA, etc.).

Students are accepted into a degree program as described in the Graduate Catalog. The faculty and corresponding sub-disciplines and sub-plans within the described programs are subject to change at any time.

BSN to DNP Tracks:

All domestic and international applicants must review and follow the Graduate College Admission and Registration Requirements .

Family Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Executive Tracks:

  1. Hold a baccalaureate degree in nursing from an accredited CNEA or CCNE nursing program.
  2. Have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.2 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) in the baccalaureate in nursing degree.
  3. Hold an unencumbered license as a registered nurse.
  4. Have practiced as a baccalaureate prepared registered nurse for a minimum of one calendar year prior to beginning coursework in the BSN to DNP program.
  5. Interviews may be required.

Students are accepted into a degree program as described in the Graduate Catalog. The faculty and corresponding sub-disciplines and sub-plans within the described programs are subject to change at any time.

Plan Requirements

See Subplan Requirements below.