Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Applicants will need to submit:

• Application
• Personal statement
• Three letters of recommendation, one from supervisor/employer (one Neonatal Nurse Practitioner or Neonatologist is strongly recommended for Neonatal track)
• Resume or curriculum vitae
• Official transcripts from all educational institutions attended
• RN or APRN License—see requirements below

Additional requirements and prerequisites will vary based on the track and level of program:

BSN to DNP

• Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale
• Possess a BSN from an ACEN- or CCNE-accredited college or university
• Active, unencumbered RN License with Nebraska eligibility
• Completion of undergraduate statistics course and physical assessment course with C (2.0) or higher
• Minimum of 2,000 hours of professional nursing work experience (prior to first clinical course).
  • Family NP, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP and Nursing Administration and Leadership—minimum 2,000 hours of professional nursing experience in direct patient care
  • Psychiatric Mental Health Across the Lifespan NP—minimum 2,000 hours of direct patient care nursing experience in psychiatrics
  • Neonatal NP—minimum 4,000 hours of direct patient care nursing experience in a level III or level IV NICU
  • Pediatric Primary and Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (Dual Certification)—minimum 2,000 hours direct patient care nursing experience in pediatrics. Only 500 hours of neonatal experience can count toward the required 2,000 pediatric hours.

MSN to DNP

• Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale
• Possess an MSN from an ACEN- or CCNE-accredited college or university
• Active, unencumbered RN License with Nebraska eligibility for Nursing Administration and Leadership Track
• Active, unencumbered APRN License with Nebraska eligibility for General Post-Graduate DNP Track
• Completion of a graduate-level statistics course with C (2.0) or higher

See licensure and state regulatory requirements.

International Transcripts

Due to the specific features and requirements of this program, international students cannot be admitted. Unique situations may be discussed with your admissions advisor.

Any course work taken at an accredited institution outside of the United States must be evaluated course-by-course by a NACES-approved credentialing agency. Visit a list of approved agencies found online. Official evaluations must be sent directly from the agency to Creighton University.

English Language Proficiency Requirement

English language proficiency is an important part of the application process for those whose first language is not English. The College of Nursing has the discretion to determine individual standards for how this requirement will be met using one or more of the following:

• English Language exam scores. All applicants who have obtained a degree outside of the United States must present a TOEFL score of at least 100, an IELTS score of at least 7 or aDuoLingo score of at least 120. Scores over 2 years old will not be accepted. Students must ask the testing agency to send original scores to Creighton University (Institutional Code 6121).
• Completion of an undergraduate degree from one of the following countries: Australia, Canada, Barbados, Bahamas, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guam, Ireland, Jamaica, Marshall Islands, New Zealand, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Scotland, Singapore, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, United States and Virgin Islands.

The College of Nursing reserves the right to require students to re-take the exam. It is also at the discretion of the College of Nursing as to whether an English Language Proficiency exam is required of applicants who have earned a college degree from a university in the United States or another approved country.

We have several start dates available, so you can begin when it works for you.

• To start classes in August, apply by May 1.
• To start classes in January, apply by October 1.
• To start classes in May, apply by February 1.

If you have any questions about dates, deadlines or application materials, please  contact an admissions advisor for personalized assistance.

Nurses who earn their DNP degree can pursue a variety of careers, such as:

• Nurse Practitioner (APRN) roles in your specialty: AG-ACNP, FNP, NNP, PNP (primary/acute), PMHNP—across hospitals, specialty clinics, primary care, NICUs/PICUs, ED/ICU, community health and telehealth
• Clinical Program Lead: Guide teams, protocols and scope across service lines
• Manager of Advanced Practice: Oversee provider onboarding, quality, scheduling and regulatory compliance
• Quality and Safety Leader: Drive evidence-based practice, clinical pathways and outcomes improvement projects
• Population Health/Care Management Leader: Build chronic disease, transitional care and community-based initiatives
• Health Systems Leadership roles
• Academic and Clinical Faculty / Preceptor: Teach in NP programs, simulation labs or lead staff development/CE
• Specialty-specific leadership