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2024-2025 Academic Bulletin
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse DNP (Distance Education)
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The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is tailored for nurses seeking the highest level of education in nursing practice. This can be pursued through either the Family Nurse Practitioner concentration or the Leadership in Advanced Nursing Practice concentration. The comprehensive DNP core curriculum equips advanced practice nurses with the knowledge and skills necessary to enhance patient outcomes in today’s complex healthcare landscape. The program addresses both clinical and non-clinical roles. Following DNP completion, Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs) must achieve certification through national exams and comply with regulations outlined by their respective state boards of nursing for professional practice.
This DNP program offers two tracks:
- Track 1: MSN to DNP (42-56 credits)
- Track 2: BSN to DNP (51-65 credits)
For additional information about these tracks, refer to the curriculum below.
Delivery: This is a fully interactive online program only (see Global Campus definitions). The courses follow fixed enrollment with semester start and end dates. Participants interact with each other and with instructors throughout all courses. Most courses have a minimum of two synchronous sessions via Zoom. Most of the degree is offered through asynchonrous online methods, but students should refer to the DNP Student Handbook for any expected on-campus or synchronous meeting time.
Accreditation: The Andrews University nursing program is approved by the Michigan Board of Nursing and holds accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
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DNP Core - 26
The DNP core curriculum is a comprehensive and foundational component of the Doctor of Nursing Practice program. This curriculum is designed to provide advanced practice nurses with the essential knowledge, skills, and competencies needed to excel in their roles as healthcare leaders and practitioners. It encompasses a diverse range of subjects, spanning both clinical and non-clinical domains, to ensure a well-rounded education.
Tracks - 16-39
Selected at the time of admission based on a student’s educational background.
Track 1 - MSN to DNP - 16-30
Choose one of the concentrations below.
NOTE: Students who have not taken graduate level pharmacology, health assessment, and/or pathophysiology must also take NRSG 748, 755, 756, and/or 760. (See Admission Requirements).
Track 2 - BSN to DNP - 25-39
Students must take the following courses and complete one of the concentrations below.
Concentrations - 16-30
Complete one of the following concentrations:
Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration - 30
The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) concentration is tailored to prepare advanced practice nurses for a specialized and impactful role in family-centered healthcare. This concentration provides a comprehensive and advanced education that integrates theoretical knowledge with clinical expertise to empower FNPs with the skills needed to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care across the lifespan. Following DNP completion, FNPs must achieve certification through national exams and comply with regulations outlined by their respective state boards of nursing for professional practice.
Leadership in Advanced Nursing Practice Concentration - 16-23
A Leadership in Advanced Nursing Practice concentration builds upon the foundation of advanced nursing practice and provides additional education and training in leadership, management, education, and healthcare systems. Students learn how to lead interprofessional teams, improve patient outcomes, and influence healthcare policy. This concentration focuses on develop nurse leaders who can navigate the complex and dynamic healthcare environment.
Electives - 4
Choose 4 additional credits from the following courses:
Additional Requirements
Grade Point Average: In order to graduate, students must have a Grade Point Average (GPA) not lower than 3.25. During the program, students are allowed to receive a B- in one course only, but the GPA must be at least 3.0 when this occurs. Two courses below 3.0 will cause termination of the degree process. Graduation Requirements
- Successful completion of all Required Courses with 3.25 GPA.
- Successful completion of Comprehensive Exam.
- Satisfactory completion and defense of the Scholarly Project.
- Satisfactory completion of supervised Clinical/Practicums.
- Satisfactory completion of a Diagnostic Readiness Test for national certificaiton exam.
Progress Towards Degree: Cohorts with differing degree options have anticipated completion at differing times within three to five years. Any student dropping out of a cohort may resume with a subsequent cohort but must complete the degree in no more than seven years. Admission Requirements
- Must meet standard admission requirements for graduate admission at Andrews University.
- Other requirements below:
| Requirements |
Standard |
| Minimum overall GPA |
3.25 |
| Letters of recommendation |
Two:
- Professional colleague with at least Master’s degree
- Current supervisor
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| Resume |
CV also acceptable |
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Goal Statement (500 words)
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Use these points to develop your goal statement:
- Identify your area of concentration (family nurse practitioner or leadership role)
- Describe how the DNP degree within your chosen clinical specialty will assist in achieving your future goals.
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Degrees
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BSN or MSN from an accredited school (ACEN or CCNE and other acceptable accrediting bodies)
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| Undergraduate/Graduate courses required with a grade of B or better |
- Statistics
- MSN to DNP students: must have graduate level pharmacology, health assessment, and pathophysiology or will be required to complete these as part of their DNP degree.
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| License |
- Current unencumbered RN license.
- MSN to DNP: national certification in a clinical specialty with evidence of practicum hours completed in APRN education.
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- Faculty reserve the right to require an interview of applicants based on reasons they identify.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the program will: - Integrate knowledge from nursing, biophysical, social, analytical and organizational sciences into practicing, developing and transforming advanced practice nursing within a spiritual context.
- Integrate organizational and system thinking as well as leadership knowledge in designing, implementing and/or evaluating approaches to quality in care delivery.
- Use clinical scholarship and analytical methods to critically appraise the literature, and develop, implement and evaluate strategies and best practices in providing healthcare.
- Develop leadership in critical analysis, information management, advocacy and education, in shaping healthcare policy at the local, state and national levels.
- Employ consultative, collaborative and leadership skills with intra-professional and inter-professional teams to foster effective communication, enhance health outcomes, and create positive change in complex healthcare delivery systems, and across diverse populations in order to address health disparities.
- Implement eviidenced-based strategies in APRN practice for impacting individuals, families, communities, institutions and/or systems, in order to achieve the goals of improved healthcare.
- Transition from entry levels of nursing practice to an increasingly advanced level of nursing practice, while developing higher level clinical, leadership, advocacy, and scholarship, knowledge and skills.
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