Doctor of Nursing Practice

Nursing Practice with Tracks

School of Nursing
Athens Campus (Main Office)
Grover Center E365
Ohio University
Athens, Ohio 45701
740-593-4494
800-560-0144 (toll free)
graduatenursing@ohio.edu

Delivery Mode: Hybrid

Terms of Entry: Fall, Spring

Terms of Entry Requiring Program Permission: None

Program Overview

The Ohio University School of Nursing promotes excellence in the profession of nursing through education, scholarship, and service. The School provides quality educational experiences, utilizes clinical partnerships and facilitates regional collaboration that will enhance the health of diverse communities.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program consists of several tracks: the BSN-to-DNP the MSN-to-DNP track (DN1234). Coursework is offered in a hybrid model, with some online courses and some courses which include an on-campus intensive experience. Students complete a total of 1000 practice hours (post-baccalaureate) to increase their depth and breadth of knowledge in their interest area resulting in a scholarly project. Students in the MSN-to-DNP may receive credit for some of their clinical hours completed in previous graduate clinical courses as determined on an individual basis. BSN-DNP students will also earn post-graduate certificates as a part of their DNP program. MSN-DNP students have the opportunity, but it is not a requirement.  Available certificates include: 

Advanced Practice Registered Nursing (APRN) Certificate Programs

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP - DN1236)

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP - DN1224)

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP - DN 1237)

Advanced Nursing Role Specialization Certificate Programs

Nurse Educator (NE - DN 1218)

Nurse Leader (NL - DN 1239)

The APRN Certificate programs at Ohio University are intended to prepare students for advanced practice nursing and national certification in those areas. State Boards of Nursing set individual standards for licensure in their state. It is highly recommended that students who seek admission to these programs at Ohio University contact their home state’s Board of Nursing to verify that the desired program and its graduates will meet the eligibility criteria for approval for those credentials. Approved RN licensure states for application can be found on the School of Nursing website 

Program Learning Outcomes 

Upon graduation, students will have earned the DNP and a graduate certificate in their specialty focus, if applicable, for eligibility to complete a national certification examination. Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

1. Translate knowledge from nursing and other disciplines as a basis for clinical judgment and innovative evidence-based education, practice, and research.
2. Translates evidence-based practice to lead in the delivery of person-centered care to enhance health outcomes and improve health systems.
3. Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams using the principles of population health to design and evaluate interventions that optimize health outcomes and enhance advocacy strategies for individuals, families and communities and populations.
4. Integrate, evaluate, and generate evidence-based practice and research to inform and promote advanced clinical practice.
5. Design and apply evidence-based practice healthcare strategies that promote quality healthcare and mitigate risk for individuals, families, communities, and healthcare providers within a culture of safety and respect
6. Facilitate interprofessional collaboration using principles of team dynamics to promote quality healthcare strategies that optimize the health of individuals, families, and populations within complex healthcare environments.
7. Apply evidence-based, innovative strategies based on organizational and systems policies to create change and enhance value, access, quality, and cost effectiveness within complex healthcare delivery systems.
8. Synthesize information literacy skills in complex data-driven decision-making and provision of care in accordance with ethical, legal, professional, and regulatory standards and practices.
9. Cultivate a sustainable professional identity incorporating accountability, collaboration, and comportment in advanced practice nursing that promotes person-centered care.
10. Foster an environment that promotes self-care, personal health, well-being, and professional development in a culture of accountability and collaboration.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the standard Graduate College admission requirements, potential students must supply/document the following:

• Awarded Bachelor of Science of Nursing (BSN) for the BSN-to-DNP Program; awarded Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) for the MSN-to-DNP Program
• Minimum grade point average of 3.20 for unconditional admission
• Statement of professional goals
• Resume or CV
• Three letters of recommendation from individuals who are knowledgeable about the applicant’s ability to complete graduate-level coursework and practice abilities. A minimum of 2 of these must be from individuals prepared at or above the Master’s level. One must be from an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse or Registered Nurse.
• Resident of and evidence of valid, unencumbered RN licensure in an approved state (https://www.ohio.edu/chsp/nursing/graduate/masters/msn-application-process)
• A web-based admission interview with faculty
• Students should be prepared to provide documentation of any national certifications, such as an APRN, Nurse Executive, etc.
• Upon admission, students should be prepared to provide documentation of any precepted practicum/clinical hours earned through a graduate nursing program.

Graduation Requirements

Students holding the MSN degree must complete a minimum of 36 credit hours. Students holding a BSN must complete a minimum of 70 credit hours.