BSN to DNP
The BSN to DNP program is designed for nurses with a baccalaureate degree to prepare them for roles in advanced practice nursing as Family Nurse Practitioners, Adult/Gerontological Nurse Practitioners, or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners with a doctoral degree focusing on practice leadership. The emphasis of the program is the delivery of advanced practice nursing (APN) to vulnerable, underserved, and culturally diverse populations. The program is designed to prepare graduates for innovative and evidence-based advanced nursing practice. The program will accept a limited number of applicants. Meeting minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission. The program is designed to be completed in a full-time plan of study. Classes are offered in various formats including online, live weekly sessions and intensive weekends.
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing recommends that students complete 1000 hours of clinical practicum hours. Clinical practice hours in the second year of study are designed to develop new practice skills and test new models of care.
- The program only admits in the summer
- No GRE Required and No GMAT Required.
- We offer the BSN-DNP on three campuses: Boca Raton, Davie, and Harbor Branch.
- In three concentrations: Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult/Gerontological Nurse Practitioner, or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
- Baccalaureate degree in Nursing from an accredited university or college nursing program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
- Current licensure in the State of Florida as a registered nurse.
- A cumulative 3.0 GPA in the baccalaureate program is required.
- Curriculum vitae.
- Two letters of recommendation from academic and professional references in which one of whom holds a doctorate.
- Statement of the applicant's goals for the DNP degree of no more than 500 words.
- An interview will be required.
*Annual state/federal criminal background checks are required for all admitted students. A drug screen may be required. All costs for these requirements are the responsibility of the student.
We will begin accepting applications for summer 2025 admission on September 15, 2024 and the deadline is February 1, 2025.*
*This is a hard deadline so we will not accept any late or incomplete applications.
How to apply to the BSN-DNP
Complete a Florida Atlantic University Graduate Application. Please make sure to select Summer as your entry date, as we do not admit in Fall or Spring. Students may apply for only one of three concentrations;
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Adult / Gerontological Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Please select the campus you would like to attend.
- Boca Raton
- Davie
- Harbor Branch
** Please note students are not allowed to attend courses on other campuses. You will have to attend courses on the campus that you are admitted to. You will not be able to change campuses unless there is space available and it has been approved by the Admission, Progression and Retention Subcommittee (APR).
*Application Deadline for Summer 2025 admission is February 1, 2024.
Complete your application
- All final conferred transcripts from previous colleges and universities.
- Statement of the applicant's goals for the DNP degree of no more than 500 words.
- Two letters of recommendation from academic and professional references one of whom holds a doctorate.
- Current licensure in the State of Florida as a registered nurse.
- Curriculum vitae (Required Format for CV).
*You will request two letters of reference electronically via the application. Therefore, be prepared with reference names and current e-mail addresses. We cannot accept letters older than 6 months from the date of application.
Information Sessions
New dates pending for 2024 fall semester
| Course Information | Class | Credits | Clinic hrs. |
|---|---|---|---|
| SEMESTER I SUMMER | |||
| Theoretical Grounding for Caring-Based Practice (FNP, AGNP, PMHNP) | NGR 7124 | 3 | |
| Translation of Evidence for Advanced Practice Nursing (FNP, AGNP, PMHNP) | NGR 7855 | 3 | |
| SEMESTER II FALL | |||
| Epidemiology for Advanced Nursing Practice (FNP, AGNP, PMHNP) | NGR 6673 | 3 | |
| The Role of the Doctor of Nursing Practice as Scholar (FNP, AGNP, PMHNP) | NGR 7768C | 3 | |
| Caring, Informatics and Technology (FNP, AGNP, PMHNP) | NGR 7876 | 3 | |
| SEMESTER III SPRING | |||
| Advanced Pathophysiology (FNP, AGNP, PMHNP) | NGR 6141 | 3 | |
| Population-Based Healthcare and Health Equity (FNP, AGNP, PMHNP) | NGR 7662C | 3 | |
| SEMESTER IV SUMMER | |||
| Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics (FNP, AGNP, PMHNP) | NGR 6172 | 3 | |
| Ethics and Public Policy for Promoting Health (FNP, AGNP, PMHNP) | NGR 7738 | 3 | |
| Advanced Health Assessment (PMHNP only) | NGR 6002 | 2 | |
| Advanced Health Assessment Lab (PMHNP only) | NGR 6002L | 1 | |
| SEMESTER V FALL | |||
| Advanced Health Assessment (FNP and AGNP) | NGR 6002 | 2 | |
| Advanced Health Assessment Lab (FNP and AGNP) | NRG 6002L | 1 | |
| Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics II (FNP and AGNP) | NRG 6176 | 3 | |
| Interprofessional Leadership in Healthcare (FNP, AGNP, PMHNP) | NGR 7795 | 3 | |
| Psychopathological Disorders Across the Lifespan: Advanced Nursing Situations (PMHNP only) | NGR 6503 | 3 | |
| Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan for Advanced Nursing Practice (PMHNP only) | NGR 6538 | 3 | |
| SEMESTER VI SPRING | |||
| Primary Care 1: Foundations of Advanced Nursing Practice (FNP and AGNP) | NGR 6200 | 3 | |
| Primary Care 1 Practicum: Foundations of Advanced Nursing Practice (FNP and AGNP) | NGR 6200L | 3 | 180 |
| Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Across the Lifespan: Individual and Family Therapy in Advanced Nursing Situations (PMHNP only) | NGR 6509 | 3 | |
| Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Across the Lifespan Practicum 1: Individual and Family Therapy in Advanced Nursing Practice (PMHNP only) | NGR 6509L | 3 | 180 |
| SEMESTER VII SUMMER | |||
| Perspectives of Aging (AGNP only) | NGR 6251 | 3 | |
| Care of Children: Nursing Situations in Advanced Practice (FNP only) | NGR 6301 | 3 | |
| Women’s Health: Nursing Situations in Advanced Practice (AGNP and FNP) | NGR 6342 | 3 | |
| Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Across the Lifespan: Group Therapy in Advanced Nursing Practice (PMHNP only) | NGR 6508 | 3 | |
| Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Across the Lifespan Practicum 2: Group Therapy in Advanced Nursing Practice (PMHNP only) | NGR 6508L | 3 | 180 |
| SEMESTER VIII FALL | |||
| Primary Care 2: Foundations of Advanced Nursing Practice (FNP and AGNP) | NGR 6605 | 3 | |
| Primary Care 2 Practicum: Foundations of Advanced Nursing Practice (FNP and AGNP) | NGR 6605L | 3 | 180 |
| Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Across Lifespan: Role Synthesis Advanced Nursing Practice (PMHNP only) | NGR 6505L | 4 | 240 |
| Healthcare System Analysis and Quality Improvement (FNP, AGNP, PMHNP) | NGR 7895 | 3 | |
| SEMESTER IX SPRING | |||
| Primary Care of Families: Comprehensive Adv Nursing Practice (FNP only) | NGR 6619 | 3 | |
| Primary Care of Families (FNP only) | NGR 6619L | 4 | 240 |
| Comprehensive Care of Adolescents Through Older Adults (AGNP only) | NGR 6607 | 3 | |
| Comprehensive Care of Adolescents Through Older Adults Practicum (AGNP only) | NGR 6607L | 4 | 240 |
| Doctor of Nursing Practice Proposal Development (FNP, AGNP, PMHNP) | NGR 7974C | 3 | |
| SEMESTER X SUMMER | |||
| Practicum for the Doctor of Nursing Practice (FNP, AGNP, PMHNP) | NGR 7947C | 1-3 | 60-180 |
| Project Implementation, Evaluation, and Dissemination (FNP, AGNP, PMHNP) | NGR 7975C | 1-3 | 45-135 |
| Introduction to Practice Management: Advanced Nursing Practice (FNP, AGNP, PMHNP | NGR 7767 | 3 | |
| SEMESTER XI FALL | |||
| Practicum for the Doctor of Nursing Practice (FNP, AGNP, PMHNP) | NGR 7947C | 1-3 | 60-180 |
| Project Implementation, Evaluation, and Dissemination (FNP, AGNP, PMHNP) | NGR 7975C | 1-3 | 45-135 |
| TOTAL CREDITS/CLINICAL HOURS |
PMHNP FNP/AGNP |
74 80 |
1000 |
| Instate (FL) tuition rate | $371.81 per credit hour |
| Out of State tuition rate | $1026.81 per credit hour |
| Credits needed to graduate | 80 Credit hours for FNP and AGNP concentrations and 74 credit hours for PMHNP concentration |
| Tuition for FNP and AGNP | Instate (FL) $29,744.80 / Out of State $82,144.80 |
| Total in state tuition for PMHNP | Instate (FL) $27,513.94 / Out of State $75,983.94 |
*Cost per credit and total cost are calculated using tuition per credit and associated fees for the current academic year. It does not include course materials, textbook expenses, and other potential expenses related to individual courses.
Does the DNP program require the GRE?
No, the DNP program does not require the GRE.
Is there an all on-line option for the DNP program?
No, the curriculum is hybrid, a mixture of on-line and in person courses.
Can students find their own clinical sites / preceptors?
No, we will find a clinical site and preceptor for you, however please note that all of our clinical sites are located in South Florida only (Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties). Due to all of the legalities involved we do not allow students to find their own clinical site.
Can DNP students work full time while enrolled in this program?
We strongly advise students NOT to attempt to work full time during the DNP program, and especially not once the clinical hours component begins in the 6th semester.
Can a student change their concentration choice?
No, once you have chosen a concentration you are not allowed to switch.
Dr. Lynne Palma
Associate Professor
Director of DNP Program
Phone: 561-297-4958
lpalma@health.fau.edu