Top Doctor Of Nursing Practice Programs 2022
The Doctor of Nursing Practice represents the highest level of training a nurse can pursue. Those who earn this degree elevate not only themselves, but the entire nursing profession.
In a Doctor of Nursing Practice program, you’ll learn executive leadership skills and clinical expertise, and have the potential to come out of it with heightened job security and generous compensation. But deciding to embark on this path is not something that anybody should take lightly.
The DNP degree is the gold standard for nursing leadership and it takes a significant investment of time and money.
In this guide, we will discuss the benefits a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree offers, what pursuing it requires, and which programs are the cream of the crop.
University Of North Georgia
UNG has five campuses in the following Georgia locations: Blue Ridge, Cumming, Dahlonega, Gainsville and Oconee. The university offers a masters of science in nursing degree and reports it has achieved a 100% pass rate for certification and licensing exams taken by nurse practitioner students. Tuition is currently $5600. The University of North Georgia is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and the Georgia Board of Nursing.
Courses In This Program
This program consists of the following courses, which you will typically complete one at a time as you make your way through your program, working with your Program Mentor each term to build your personalized Degree Plan. As soon as youre ready, youll pass the assessment, complete the course, and move on.
You will complete your MSN FNP degree mostly online. The first part of your program consists of six online core courses that are part of all WGU MSN programs. We call this our MSN Core.
Next, you will complete specialty online courses comprised of different clinical requirements for the FNP program. During the term before you begin your clinical internship courses, youll complete the FNP Skills Workshop. This is an immersive learning experience conducted virtually at this time. Keep in mind, travel might be required in the future. During the skills workshop, you will be taught all your ambulatory skills, such as casting, splinting, suturing, and biopsies. Your program will culminate with the clinical internship courses involving 650 direct patient care clinical hours in your home community, as available.
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University Of California Irvine
Located in the economically dynamic Irvine community, the University of California is a leading employer in Orange County and contributes over $5 billion every year to Irvine and surrounding areas. UCI has a masters of science in nursing that specializes in family, acute and geriatric nurse practitioner fields. Graduate tuition is approximately $17,000. The University of California in Irvine is accredited by the Senior Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Tuition Fees & Related Program Costs

The nursing program shall not charge fees or cause the student to incur any costs except those specifically designated in the college catalog or in the estimated cost sheet for nursing students.
The college shall assess and collect prevailing rates for tuition and application. The student is responsible for all costs incurred relative to travel to and from clinical assignments, uniforms required for clinical rotations, identity badge, supplies, textbooks, and parking. Transportation to and from the clinical assignment is the sole responsibility of the student. Columbia State assumes no liability for personal injury or property damage within the facilities and during the route to and from these facilities. Medical malpractice insurance coverage is required for students in the nursing program. Group malpractice coverage is purchased in conjunction with registration for nursing courses. For policies governing student withdrawal and refunds of tuition, fees, please refer to the catalog and course schedules.
Health insurance is required for students to participate in clinical activities. Each student is individually responsible for the cost of maintaining health insurance during the program. Estimated Nursing Program Fee List
Additional Fees for Nursing Students
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Eligibility For Registered Nurse Licensure By State
In accordance with U.S. Department of Education Regulation 34 CFR 668.43 , the nursing program at Lower Columbia College is known to meet the state education requirements for a registered nurse license in the states of Washington and Oregon. Lower Columbia College has not determined if the nursing program meets the state education requirements of any other state or any U.S. Territory. Those seeking registered nurse licensure in any state or U.S. Territory outside of Washington or Oregon are advised to contact the state regulatory agency for the state for which this information is needed. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing has resources that may be helpful, including links to every Nursing Practice Act.
Columbia University School Of Nursing Overview Majors
The School of Nursing offers a number of degree programs for the training of Registered Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Certified Nurse Midwives, Nurse Anesthetists, Clinical Nurse Leaders, and Nurse-Scientists.
It offers a 15-month accelerated Masters Direct Entry program for non-nurse college graduates. A Doctor of Nursing Practice program for established Registered Nurses or through their combined seamless entry option, offering six Advanced Practice specialties: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP, Family NP, Nurse-Midwifery, Pediatric-Primary Care NP, and Psychiatric-Mental Health NP. The school also offers a competitive Master of Science degree in Nurse Anesthesia, and a Master of Clinical Management and Leadership. A research-based Doctorate of Philosophy degree is also offered, with research focus areas across the gamma of healthcare.
The clinical-based Doctor of Nursing Practice degree was first developed by the schools faculty in 2004 as one of the first such programs in the nation. The additional competencies embodied in this degree were based on the experience and outcomes research of the clinical faculty. It is the first advanced practice doctorate involving direct and comprehensive patient care of a panel of patients across sites and over time in the whole country.
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What Will You Learn In A Dnp Program
DNP programs feature hands-on training for specialized advanced nursing. They also emphasize evidence-based protocols that improve patient health outcomes and prepare graduates for leadership roles.
The curriculum provides specialization based on the students area of interest in addition to the following eight essential foundational competencies:
- Scientific Underpinnings for Practice
- Organizational and Systems Leadership for Quality Improvement and Systems Thinking
- Clinical Scholarship and Analytical Methods for Evidence-Based Practice
- Information Systems/Technology and Patient Care Technology for the Improvement and Transformation of Health Care
- Health Care Policy for Advocacy in Health Care
- Interprofessional Collaboration for Improving Patient and Population Health Outcomes
- Clinical Prevention and Population Health for Improving the Nations Health
- Advanced Nursing Practice
The typical DNP program lasts four years. However, it can be condensed into three years with sufficient prerequisites and regular summer classes.
Programs include a minimum of 1,000 hours of clinical practice hours and a final portfolio or practice change initiative.
Those with a Masters of Science in Nursing can earn a DNP degree with one or two years of full-time classes, or two to three years of part-time classes.
What Makes The Program Unique
The UBC School of Nursing, Master of Nursing – Nurse Practitioner Program offers studies with a community of professors and clinicians at the forefront of primary care. This two year full-time on-campus program leads to the degree of Master of Nursing and is recognized by the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives. Program completion creates eligibility for licensure as a Nurse Practitioner in BC.
Graduates of our UBC MN-NP Program are in demand by health authorities for practice in both community and hospital settings. They are well prepared to practice collaboratively and autonomously in primary care settings, and lead in interpretation and application of new knowledge generated to improve practice.
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Practice & Leadership Innovations Dnp
If you envision yourself improving patient care by coming up with new ideas, methods, and devices in healthcare practice, check out the Practice and Leadership Innovations DNP program.
Hereâs what else you need to know about the PLI traditional DNP degree:
- Comprises 72 credits and 1,020 clinical hours
- Can be completed in six semesters and one summer session
- Costs approximately $57,000
Visit the course catalog for more info on the specific courses you will take in the traditional DNP program and the Post-Master’s DNP program.
Doctor Of Nursing Practice Program
- Length of Program: 2.5 years
- Application Deadline: January 31, 2022
- March 2022
- Program Start Date: June 2022
The Post-Baccalaureate Doctor of Nursing Program prepares nurse clinicians or advanced practice nurses to provide fully accountable and comprehensive care to patients.
With the increasing scope of clinical scholarship in nursing and the growth of scientific knowledge in the discipline, doctoral level education is required for independent practice. The DNP program prepares nurses to conduct complex diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, make use of sophisticated informatics and decision-making technology, and assimilate in-depth knowledge of the biophysical, psychosocial, behavioral, and clinical sciences.
The Post-BS DNP specialties are:
There are currently multiple points of entry to the DNP program:
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Registered Nurses With An Ms Degree
The program for RNs with an MS degree is a three-year, full-time program that includes a clinical immersion. This program prepares students as Advanced Practice Nurses in an area of specialty. Students graduate with the knowledge, skills, and attributes necessary for comprehensive care with patients across sites and over time, while also serving as leaders, educators, and innovators in the profession. Graduates are eligible for state licensure and professional certification in their area of specialty.
Doctor Of Nursing Practice

There are six Doctor of Nursing Practice degree programs available to Registered Nurses who want to expand their practice as practitioners, specialists, and leaders.
Students who earned a bachelorâs degree in nursing will pursue the traditional DNP degree. Those who have a masterâs degree in nursing will pursue the Post-Master’s DNP degree.
View plans of study for the traditional and Post-Master’s DNP programs below.
We also offer post-graduate certificates for those who already have a graduate degree in nursing and wish to pursue programs like our DNP programs in less time.
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Top Dnp Nurse Practitioner: Family Programs
#1 Duke University, Durham, NC
Tuition: $1,838 per credit
Duke Universitys renowned DNP program provides those specializing in Family Medicine with the skills and knowledge to improve systems of care to influence patient outcomes, make changes to enhance quality of care, and assess published evidence to inform practice. Graduates become leaders in interdisciplinary healthcare teams and work to improve systems of care, outcomes, quality and safety.
#2 Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Tuition $1,688 per credit
The Doctor of Nursing Practice Family Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program at Johns Hopkins enhances nursing skills in physical and psychosocial assessment, clinical decision-making, health promotion, and disease prevention. It teaches its graduates to diagnose and manage acute and chronic primary health problems across the lifespan.
#3 Rush University, Chicago, IL
Tuition: $1,015 per credit full time
Pursuing a DNP with specialization in Family Medicine prepares students to deliver comprehensive primary health care to individuals across the lifespan. The curriculum focuses on population health and social determinants of health and includes significant coursework combined with clinical experiences.
#4 University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, MD
Tuition: $1,461 per credit out of state, $824 per credit in-state
#5 University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
Tuition: 656 per credit
Improve Primary Health Care Practice
UBC’s full-time, two-year Master of Nursing-Nurse Practitioner program fully prepares you to practice nursing collaboratively and autonomously in primary health care.
Equip yourself with the skills and knowledge to take a lead in responding to Canadian health care issues and needs and improving primary care practice.
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Are You Ready To Thrive
The estimated price tag for an MSN degree from the University of Pennsylvania? $73,052 .
2. Columbia University
Situated in bustling New York City, Columbia University offers future nurse practitioners unmatched opportunity. The school is designated as a World Health Organization Collaborating Center, is affiliated with the reputable Columbia University Medical Center, and provides student nurse practitioners with clinical placements in unique and challenging settings throughout the city. Similarly to other Ivy League NP programs, Columbia nurse practitioner students may choose from a range of specialty options including adult, family, midwifery, pediatric, psychiatric, and acute care programs.
The estimated price tag for an MSN degree from Columbia University? $70,400 .
3. Yale University
The estimated price tag for an MSN degree from Yale University? $72,394 .
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If you’re a soon-to-be NP grad, chances are, you’re a little worried about the next
Benefits Of Being An Active Sigma Theta Tau Member Include:
- Eligibility for chapter and international awards, scholarships, and grants
- Access to the Virginia Henderson On-Line Library
- Leadership development program and running for an office on the Board
- Networking opportunities with nurses in every specialty world-wide, which are particularly helpful if you are relocating
- Subscription to the Journal of Nursing Scholarship
- Evidence-Based Practice resources, andThe opportunity to support nurse colleagues in advancing the profession in research, leadership, and clinical practice
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Tuition Fees And Living Costs Analysis
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Grievance/complaint And Appeal Procedures
Students have rights and responsibilities to express concerns regarding faculty-student matters and perceived problems. Students are encouraged to follow the chain of command and seek assistance from faculty members and academic advisors to resolve issues at the lowest level of authority. If the matter cannot be resolved at the level of occurrence, the student is to use the established Grievances Policy. Grade appeals that cannot be resolved at the departmental level go to the Community College Academic Appeals Committee. Complaints of discrimination can be filed with the UDC Office of Human Resources to address affirmative action, equal employment opportunities, disability-handicap-limitation accommodations, racial harassment, and sexual harassment.
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Benefits Of Getting Your Dnp
As the need for healthcare expands, so will the demand for nurses with advanced degrees such as DNPs. These professionals will increasingly be looked to for their clinical expertise and leadership. And, as a result, they will be elevated to positions of greater responsibility and impact.
Leadership positions in the healthcare industry command higher levels of compensation and more career opportunities. They also provide opportunities as educators for the next generation of nurses.
The benefits of earning a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree include:
- Achieving the highest level of credentialing in the nursing field
- Career opportunities in executive-level leadership roles
- Recognition for achievements in the healthcare industry
- Increased salary and compensation
Code Of Conduct And Ethics

Nursing students are expected to follow the National Student Nurses Association Code of Academic and Clinical Conduct, American Nurses Association Code of Ethics, and UDC Code of Student Conduct. Students at UDC assume the obligation to maintain standards of academic integrity. Violation of academic obligations includes: unethical practices and acts of academic dishonesty, such as cheating, plagiarism, falsification, and the facilitation of such acts. Academic integrity is expected and required for retention in the nursing program. Violations of the Contract of Civility and Respect Code of Student Conduct will result in dismissal from the nursing program.
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Best Nurse Practitioner Programs In 2020
Nurse practitioners are registered nurses who have completed additional coursework that grants them a license to prescribe medications, order and perform diagnostic tests and treat a variety of acute or chronic illnesses. Luckily, many of the online nurse practitioner programs throughout the United States are actually among the best in the country, making it even easier to complete your higher education.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, salaries for nurse practitioners are about $108,000 annually. The nursing job outlook for nurse practitioners through 2026 is expected to grow at a faster than average percentage of 31% due to the aging population of people born between 1950 and 1964 . In fact, nurse practitioners are among the top five jobs that experts expect will lack enough qualified individuals to fill all open positions over the next decade.
University Of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississipi is a dual-campus higher learning institution with campuses in Long Beach and Hattiesburg, Mississippi. They offer an online masters of science degree in nursing at a cost of $11,000. USM is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.
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Northwestern State University Of Louisiana
NWSUL has a campus in Natchitoches, Louisiana and offers several online nurse practitioner programs: master of science in nursing , master of science in nursing and master of science in nursing . Graduate tuition is around $20,000. Northwestern State University of LA is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.
Can You Earn A Dnp Degree Online
Many of the most prestigious DNP programs offer their programs online. This enables nursing students to balance education with their careers, families, and social lives.
Online DNP programs are offered both full time and part-time. The required number of credits depends on the area of study.
Like traditional in-person programs, online programs prepare students for board certification examinations in their specialty area. However, they tend to cost less and may be offered on a rolling basis, allowing students to begin their programs as soon as they are admitted.
Most online DNP programs require in-person sessions over the course of the curriculum such as clinical placements at nearby facilities.
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