Dedicated support to assist you from application to graduation
Expert faculty to guide students through their studies
Walsh University is a CCNE-Accredited Master's Nursing Degree Program
Achieve Higher Roles with a Values-Based Education
Walsh University's Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is ideal for MSN-prepared nurses who want to expand their advanced nursing role and prepare to be a nurse leader who is ready for the future of health care. Leverage and apply knowledge from the sciences within the fields of organizational management, ethics, health policy, and information technology.
Online DNP (MSN to DNP)
Earning an online DNP (MSN to DNP) at Walsh University will help you build the knowledge and skills to fulfill a vital role in today's increasingly complex health care environment. You'll develop competencies in critical areas such as quality improvement, evidence-based problem solving, and health care policy, while evolving as a nurse leader.
In Walsh University's Doctor of Nursing Practice (MSN to DNP), you will:
- Stand out and demonstrate your commitment to the field as you earn the highest credential for clinical nursing practice
- Gain executive knowledge and competencies in influential leadership
- Strategically promote change in health care with an understanding of data-driven business strategy and transformative care models
Online DNP (MSN to DNP) Fast Facts
Choose a Convenient Pathway to Leadership
- Expand your scope of practice and earn your DNP in as few as 34 credits, or 5 semesters
- Choose from three intakes a year so you can start when it makes sense for you
- Study in 8- and 16-week courses designed for the working professional
- Option to add a specialization to your DNP with a Post-MSN FNP or Nurse Educator Graduate Certificate. Ask admissions for details.
Learn within a Supportive Community
- Connect with engaged faculty of experienced nurses and benefit from small class sizes
- Receive proactive, dedicated support and one-on-one coaching to help you succeed
Admission Requirements
Take the opportunity to reach your goals at a school recognized for its value and academic excellence.
- No GRE or GMAT required
- MSN degree from an accredited school of nursing
- Current, unencumbered Registered Nurse (RN) license
- Confirmation from school of clinical hours completed in the master's program
- Completion of an undergraduate or graduate-level statistics course
- Official transcripts from all academic institutions attended
- No application fee
- Two letters of reference
Online DNP (MSN to DNP) Program Curriculum
Below is a sample list of courses you will take while enrolled in the online DNP (MSN to DNP) program. For a full list, please download a brochure.
In this course students synthesize ethical theoretical leadership concepts with personal and professional values and gain an appreciation for the changing sociocultural context in which clinical leadership is practiced. Within a clinical context, working with multiple disciplines and stakeholders, communication, negotiation, and conflict management is addressed. Transformation of systems, informatics, demographic and cultural trends, and advocating for ethical decision-making are emphasized. Using principles of chaos and complexity theory, students will explore methods for assessing organizations, identifying emerging issues, and facilitating organization-wide changes.
Students will explore healthcare informatics concepts, theories, legal and ethical implications, and applications within the healthcare environment and classroom. Critical issues affecting the development and implementation of information technologies (clinical, administrative and learning), knowledge management principles, and professional practice trends will be analyzed. Emerging information and communication technology in health care will be explored. Emphasis is on thehealth informatics resources to implement health care outcome improvementand support practice and administrative decision-making. Students will apply new knowledge, manage individual and aggregate level information, and assess the efficacy of patient care technology appropriate to their area of practice.
This course is designed to provide a culminating practicum experience for the DNP leadership student. Students will focus on promoting evidence based practice as interdisciplinary team members and providing high quality, cost effective care in a dynamic health care environment. Emphasis is placed on further refinement of competencies related to the leadership complex issues, organizations, and systems. (150 clicical hours)
Students undertake a systematic investigation of a clinical or administration based problem selected by the student and supported by faculty. The student will identify the problem to be addressed, review and critique pertinent literature, and implement and evaluate the project. The designed and approved project will be implemented and within a mentored and supervised clinical immersion experience. The project uses an evidence-based practice model and is systematically developed in consultation with the student’s doctorate of nursing practice and scholarly project committee who evaluates each step of the process (200 clinical hours).
Get more information
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Applications are currently being accepted for next intake
Clinical Placement Support
At Walsh, we understand the value of support, which is why we provide extensive clinical placement support for students in our online graduate nursing programs.
Walsh’s clinical placement services team collaborates with DNP students to secure clinical sites and preceptors for all graduate-level clinical courses. Throughout the entire placement process, a dedicated placement coordinator will support you every step of the way. To learn more, schedule an appointment with an admissions advisor. To learn more, schedule an appointment with an admissions advisor.
We collaborate with students to source and vet placement sites for all our online FNP students.
We assist in the heavy lifting to confirm your placement site meets all of the necessary clearances.
We’ll be readily available to answer any logistical questions you have about the placement process.
DNP Career Outlook
$91k vs. $75k
Median salary for a health administrator with a doctoral degree is 21% more compared to someone with a master’s degree
*(U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
In their Best Jobs rankings, U.S. News & World Report recognizes the role of nurse practitioners as #7 in the nation, #5 in health care, and #7 in STEM.
Frequently Asked Questions
All entering students must have:
- Current, unencumbered Registered Nurse (RN) license
- Completion of an undergraduate or graduate-level statistics course
- Official transcripts from all academic institutions attended
- Two letters of reference
For those applying for the BSN-DNP program, a BSN degree from an accredited school of nursing is required.
For those applying for the MSN-DNP program, the following is required:
- MSN degree from an accredited school of nursing
- Confirmation from school of clinical hours completed in the master's program
All DNP students are required to submit 2 letters of recommendation as well as a personal statement. Standardized tests (GRE/GMAT) are not required.
The online BSN to DNP program can be completed in as little as three years. Part-time and full-time options are available to accommodate students’ work schedules.
The online MSN to DNP program can be completed in as few as 5 semesters (1 year and 8 months) for full-time students, or 8 semesters (2 years and 8 months) for part-time students. However, the length of time to complete the program can vary, based personal time management and prior clinical experience.
DNP-PMHNP: This program contains a total of 67 credit hours and can be completed in as little as three years. Part-time and full-time options are available to accommodate students’ work schedules.
MSN to DNP: This program can be completed in as few as 5 semesters (1 year and 8 months) for full-time students, or 8 semesters (2 years and 8 months) for part-time students. However, the length of time to complete the program can vary from student to student; examples include personal time management and individual DNP project progression to completion.
The clinical portion of this program will see you develop leadership skills and practical, hands-on competencies. As a Walsh nursing student, you’ll be paired with a dedicated clinical placement coordinator who will collaborate with you to secure clinical sites and preceptors for your clinical courses. Learn more about our clinical placement support services here.
The number of clinical hours required varies by program:
- BSN to DNP (Family Nurse Practitioner): 1,250 hours
- MSN to DNP: 500-1,000 hours, depending on prior clinical experiences
Walsh University collaborates with our nursing students to find suitable clinical placements. You are encouraged to network with potential preceptors and work closely with the placement coordinator to secure your placements.
Walsh University’s Financial Services department is committed to working with you to guide you to the assistance needed in order to pursue your studies. There are a variety of financial aid options available to students, including private scholarships, federal loans and federal direct plus loans. Learn more about the tuition and financial aid options available here.
As part of the online BSN-DNP PMHNP program, you’ll participate in one on-campus skills day (intensive).
Students undertake a systematic investigation of a clinical or administration-based problem selected by the student and supported by faculty. The student will identify the problem to be addressed, review and critique pertinent literature, and implement and evaluate the project. The designed and approved project will be implemented and within a mentored and supervised clinical immersion experience. The project uses an evidence-based practice model and is systematically developed in consultation with the student’s Doctor of Nursing Practice and scholarly project chair who evaluates each step of the process (200 clinical hours).
Students are encouraged to look at their own practice or a health system to determine any gaps in care, steps to improve the patient experience or patient outcomes, patient education, staff education, etc. Often, students collaborate with a health system on the needs already identified by the system. In fact, that is sometimes a very good DNP project because the health facility already recognizes the need so solve the identified problem/issue.
While it might be helpful to have ideas in mind for the project, it is not required. Topics are typically something you are passionate about and may have experienced firsthand, perhaps a quality control such as preventing readmissions, reducing no shows for appointments, improving compliance with plan of care, and bringing measures of chronic illness into control.
This will depend on your schedule and if you are a full-time or part-time student. Adjustments to your work schedule may be required to accommodate the clinical practice hours and project hours requirements. Please note, weekend and evening hours cannot be guaranteed and many mentors you may work with such as hospital administrators often work more traditional 9-5 hours.
A student may transfer up to 9 credits toward their DNP program, subject to approval post acceptance.
The Walsh online MSN to DNP program is designed to provide students with 500 practice hours toward their DNP. All students are expected to complete a minimum of 1,000 post-baccalaureate advanced nursing practice hours to earn their DNP. Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) typically accrue at least 500 hours in their master’s program. The applicant will need to have these prior hours verified by the university that conferred their MSN. Coursework is available to students who enter the DNP program with less than 500 clinical hours to help meet the minimum 1,000 clinical practicum hours mandated by the AACN for a DNP degree. It is recommended that any additional hours required be completed early in the program.
Walsh ensures students are adequately prepared throughout the placement process, understanding the required direct and indirect clinical hours necessary for graduation and certification. Due to the nature of the hours, DNP students must be highly involved in the process. Clinical placements and DNP project hours may be completed in your current place of employment; however, they must be outside of your current scope of work. Placements are centered around leadership, providing exposure to the delivery and improvement of quality outcomes within health systems and organizations. The clinical placement coordinators will collaborate with you to plan and source your clinical experiences.
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The master’s degree program in nursing and doctor of nursing practice program at Walsh University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
