Doctor of Nursing Practice Degrees

Become a clinical leader in healthcare 

The Gardner-Webb Doctor of Nursing Practice helps experienced nurses grow into patient care leadership and expert specialty roles. You’ll have a direct impact on improving healthcare outcomes through evidence-based practice. 

Our program helps you continue working and caring for your personal responsibilities while advancing your education. Your coursework is fully online with once per semester on-campus intensives. You’ll develop strong relationships with your faculty and peers, and they’ll support you during your program and as you transition into practice. Within our faith-based community, you’ll see the world of healthcare through a Christian lens. 

Besides completing your online coursework, you’ll be able to fulfill your practicum experience in your desired specialty in local healthcare and education settings. As part of your program, you’ll also execute an evidence-based project over four semesters, gaining academic knowledge to use throughout your career. 

Graduates of the Hunt School of Nursing Accelerated BSN, Traditional BSN, or Davis RN-BSN  (HSON graduates of both ASN and Davis RN-BSN) programs will be considered for seamless admission into the MSN, DNP-FNP, DNP-PMHNP, or DNP post doctoral programs within two years of graduation.  

All application fees are waived, and admission requirements are streamlined. See the Hunt School of Nursing section of the academic catalog for more details. 

Curriculum

What You’ll Learn

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program at Gardner-Webb University offers three options designed to meet the needs of nurses seeking expanded roles in their profession: Post-MSN (36 credit hours), Family Nurse Practitioner (79 credit hours), and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (81 credit hours). In addition to the three areas of concentrated study, the DNP program offers a post-doctoral certificate option for doctoral-prepared nurses who desire to pursue Family Nurse Practitioner or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certification.

For more information about program and admissions requirements, including specific courses, please view our Academic Catalog.

Available Programs

Post-Baccalaureate Family Nurse Practitioner

The DNP-FNP program option prepares practitioners to provide primary care to populations across the lifespan within a community setting. Students will develop a variety of skills including Assessment and management of acute and chronic illness, promoting wellness and disease prevention, and the ability to integrate the best evidence into practice. The program is a 79-credit hour post-bachelor’s entry program offered in a blended format, with the majority of classes taken online and enriched with occasional on-campus visits. This program option is offered with a 3-year or 4-year plan of study. A 40-credit hour Post-Doctoral Certificate for Family Nurse Practitioner is available for students who have completed the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree but not the coursework required for certification and practice as a Family Nurse Practitioner.

Post-Baccalaureate Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

The DNP-PMHNP program option assists practitioners in developing expert knowledge and skills for promoting and facilitating optimal mental health across the lifespan. Students will develop a variety of skills including Psychiatric assessment, mental health diagnosis, holistic treatment planning, and integrated practice. The program is an 81-credit hour program post-bachelor entry offered in a blended format, with a majority of classes taken online and enriched with occasional on-campus visits. This program option is offered with a 3-year or 4-year plan of study. A 42-credit hour Post-Doctoral Certificate for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner is available for students who have completed the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree but not the coursework required for certification and practice as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

Post-Master’s Track

The post-master’s DNP program option deepens your knowledge of nursing leadership and nursing education while preparing you to improve healthcare outcomes through evidence-based practice. This program is a 36-credit hour postmaster’s entry program offered in a blended format with the majority of classes taken online, enriched with occasional on-campus visits. The program is offered with a 6-semester full-time or 12-semester part-time plan of study.

Outcomes

What You’ll Do

As a student in the DNP Program, you’ll have opportunities to:

  • Synthesize scientific and theoretical knowledge from nursing and other disciplines to implement best-practice approaches reflective of the highest level of nursing.
  • Use data-driven decision-making to strategically impact healthcare outcomes identified by institutional, local, state, federal, and/or international leaders.
  • Collaborate with intra- and inter-professional teams to advocate for and implement change, which improves individual and population health.
  • Engage in leadership to integrate evidence-based clinical prevention and health services for individuals and diverse populations. 
  • Create intentional positive change with patients, populations, and professionals to advance nursing specialization through therapeutic and programmatic interventions. 

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE/SCHOLARSHIPS

Forgivable Education Loans for Service (FELS)

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