Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Are you a registered nurse with a bachelor's degree in nursing seeking the doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree?

Our doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree prepares students to be family nurse practitioners (FNP) at the doctoral level. The FNP is a healthcare professional who is prepared to work independently, and collaboratively with other healthcare professionals, to diagnose and manage acute and chronic health conditions, and promote health and wellness to families and individuals of all ages. This practice doctoral program prepares nurses to provide health services at the highest level of clinical nursing practice. The DNP-FNP program is 78 credits in length. Full-time coursework is completed in 9 semesters, including online learning and on campus deep dive learning immersions. See the Graduate Program Weekend Immersion Calendar for the current immersion schedule. Successful completion of this program qualifies graduates to take the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Family Nurse Practitioner Certification Examination or the American Nurses Credentialing Center Family Nurse Practitioner Certification Examination.

DNP-FNP SAMPLE Program of Study

The DNP-FNP curriculum is structured to assist students in meeting:

• Oregon State Board of Nursing regulatory requirements for nurse practitioner programs
• The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice (AACN, 2006)
• Nurse Practitioner Core Competencies (NONPF, 2012)
• Population-Focused Nurse Practitioner Competencies (Family Across the Lifespan) (NONPF 2013) and
• Criteria for Evaluation of Nurse Practitioner Programs (National Task Force, 2012)

Already a nurse practitioner (NP) seeking the DNP degree?

Registered nurses who currently are nurse practitioners retain their specialty and earn the DNP degree. This NP to DNP program is 45 credits. Full time coursework is completed in 6 semesters.

NP to DNP SAMPLE Program of Study

The NP to DNP curriculum is structured to assist students in meeting:

• The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice (AACN, 2006)

Admission Information

• The application to the doctor of nursing practice program for the summer 2017 cohort is closed. The application for the summer 2018 cohort will open in September.
• Preference given to Oregon and Washington residents with at least two years experience as an RN.
• Admission requirements can be found on the Graduate School website.
• No library, technology, application or distance learning fees.
• Inquire about our corporate tuition discount.

Contact Us

Interested in the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program? Questions? Looking for more information?

• Email the School of Nursing at nursing@up.edu
• Call the School of Nursing at 503.943.7211

The bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs at the University of Portland School of Nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.