The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a terminal practice degree. The DNP program prepares nurses to assume leadership roles in clinical practice. With additional education courses, DNP prepared nurses can serve as nurse educators. The DNP emphasizes advanced clinical practice, implementation of best practices, and evaluation of practice and care delivery models.

Currently, the University of Nevada in Reno, Orvis School of Nursing and the University of Nevada Las Vegas, School of Nursing offer a collaborative Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program.

The Schools of Nursing in Reno and Las Vegas entered into a collaborative arrangement to offer the DNP through the University of Nevada System of Higher Education. Applicants may apply to either school, which becomes the student's "home" campus and the institution that will award the degree. You will take courses from both UNR and UNLV online each semester of the program.

Yes, all courses are online. However, students are required to come to their "home" campus one time each year for several days for orientation and DNP project purposes. You will go to the campus at your "home" university for the meetings.

Many nurse practitioner programs already require more than 60 credits and 3 years for completion. Despite this there is a need for additional training and education. Essentially, current NP education is more demanding than most terminal master's degrees. In response, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) recommended the development of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree "for the highest level of nursing practice beyond the initial preparation in the discipline." Nursing as a profession competes with other health sciences specialties, including pharmacy, physical therapy, occupational therapy and audiology. These specialties have moved to the professional or practice doctorate.

Yes. There are two tracks, one for advanced practice and one for nurse executives/administrators.

The UNDNP is a post- master's degree and requires 39 credits to complete.

The program is five semesters long with one summer session the first year.

Students are admitted into the program annually and begin classes in the fall semester.

No.

Basically you must have an MSN from a CCNE or NLN accredited school of nursing. You must have a minimum grade point average of 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) in your master's degree program. Additionally, you must be licensed as an RN and for advanced practice nurses, hold national certification in advanced practice, e,g,. NP, CRNA, Nurse Midwife, or Clinical Specialist. For the nurse executive track, you must hold certification or be eligible for certification in an area of leadership in which you practice.

First, decide on which campus most closely meets your needs and area of interest. You may contact Dr. Sarah Keating: sarahk@unr.edu at the Orvis School of Nursing for information to assist you in your choice. Online applications may be found at the University of Nevada, Reno Graduate School.

Students are encouraged to apply for financial aid at the university to which they apply; i.e. their "home" university. Check the link at your respective university to complete a FAFSA form.

Full-time students are admitted as a cohort and complete the program in 2 years. Students admitted as a cohort for part-time study complete the program in 3 years.

Special program planning with an advisor is available for students whose personal or professional circumstances change that prohibit completing the program on time. If a change in the program's plan of study becomes necessary, it will take approximately 3 to 4 years to complete the program.

You must complete all course work and your culminating project within six years.

No. The DNP is an applied practice degree; therefore, it is required that you complete a capstone project that applies to your advanced practice or role as an administrator. You will begin work on the project in the second semester of the program culminating with a project defense at the end of the last semester of the program. For additional information on the project contact Dr. Sarah Keating: sarahk@unr.edu.

The UNDNP is $600 per credit hour. Tuition is not based on resident status. Therefore, all students will pay $600.00 per credit hour.