Online
Nursing Practice DNP (Doctorate)
The online Doctor of Nursing Practice from Creighton University is recognized for developing highly skilled, compassionate nurses. Our students become life-changing leaders recognized for advancing the quality of care and improving healthcare systems. Benefit from practical, interdisciplinary coursework integrated with compassion-centered, self-reflective Jesuit principles to ensure the quality of your degree will be recognized by employers.
The online DNP program is flexible and can be tailored to your own interests and goals. Choose from specializations including Adult-Gerontology Acute-Care, Family Practice, Neonatal Care, Pediatric Acute and Primary Care (dual track), Psychiatric Mental Health and Nursing Administration and Leadership.
Learn the necessary skills to be able to address, prevent and resolve ethical dilemmas and situations using moral reasoning, compassionate decision-making and values-based dialogue. The highly sought skills are an essential part of your education, and they position you for success in a variety of practice environments.
Whether you are starting from a BSN or an MSN, through your nurse practitioner program, you'll learn to manage the care of individuals and families in the specialized area of your choosing. Explore your options in our blog article, "MSN vs. DNP: Evaluating Nurse Practitioner Education Options."
Program Details
Creighton's Doctor of Nursing Practice is a high-touch online program designed to meet our quality and rigorous education standards. Through personalized coaching and support from dedicated faculty, you will learn how to apply the Jesuit principles of self-reflection to decision-making, ethical reasoning, cultural humanity, advocacy and conflict resolution. You can learn more about what sets our DNP program apart in our blog article, "What to Expect from a DNP Nursing Education."
Coursework for all tracks and specializations are offered online with the flexibility of part-time and full-time options. Trips to our campus in Omaha, Nebraska, will be required. The number of trips will vary depending on the track you choose.
What Students Are Saying
"I loved my Creighton undergrad experience and only applied here for grad school. The nursing faculty is amazing! Both during undergrad and now graduate school, I feel very supported by faculty, and it is such a strong and tight-knit community."
–Alexis Poserio
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BSN to DNP Tracks
The BSN to DNP tracks are designed for BSN-prepared RNs looking to become either a Nurse Practitioner or a Nurse Leader.
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner—manages the care of individuals in acute care settings.
- Family Nurse Practitioner—manages care throughout the lifespan of individuals and families.
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner—manages care for newborns in all levels of neonatal intensive care units.
- Pediatric Primary and Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (Dual Degree)—manages the care of pediatric patients across the entire continuum of health from wellness to critical care.
- Psychiatric Mental Health Across the Lifespan Nurse Practitioner—manages care throughout the lifespan of diverse populations and can practice within both acute and primary care settings.
- Nursing Administration & Leadership—prepares nurses as innovative and collaborative leaders in diverse healthcare settings, corporations and consulting firms, improving the quality of healthcare.
MSN to DNP Tracks
The Post-Graduate DNP program prepares current MSN-prepared nurses to increase their knowledge and expand their role into nursing leadership.
- Nursing Administration & Leadership—prepares nurses as innovative and collaborative leaders in diverse healthcare settings, corporations and consulting firms, improving the quality of healthcare.
- Post-Graduate General Track—prepares current APRN-NPs to expand their knowledge, grow as a nurse leader and achieve this highly respected nursing degree.
The Post-Graduate General Track can be combined with the Post-Graduate Certificate program for the following specialties:
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner—manages the care of individuals in acute care settings.
- Family Nurse Practitioner—manages care throughout the lifespan of individuals and families.
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner—manages care for newborns in all levels of neonatal intensive care units.
- Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner—manages the care of pediatric patients across the entire continuum of health from wellness to critical care.
- Psychiatric Mental Health Across the Lifespan Nurse Practitioner—manages care throughout the lifespan of diverse populations and can practice within both acute and primary care settings.
Program Outcomes
The DNP program is designed to prepare nurses who:
- Integrate nursing science with theories and knowledge from interdisciplinary sciences to advance the health of people and quality of advanced nursing practice.
- Adapt organizational and systems leadership for quality improvement and systems thinking.
- Translate, evaluate, and disseminate evidence in to practice.
- Select, use, and evaluate information technology systems to monitor and improve healthcare outcomes.
- Engage in policy analysis, formulation, implementation, and advocacy activities to improve healthcare locally, regionally, nationally, and /or globally.
- Lead interprofessional teams in the evaluation of complex issues to create change in healthcare delivery systems and healthcare outcomes.
- Evaluate appropriate methods and models in partnership with families, individuals, groups, communities, and providers to improve health, prevent disease, and address gaps in population-based healthcare.
- Formulate a professional practice model using advanced and specialized knowledge and skills in the specialty role.
- Formulate a professional framework integrating reflective practice that facilitates ethical reasoning, cultural humility, and advocacy anchored in social justice.
Admission Requirements
Application Materials
- Application
- Personal Statement
- Three Letters of Recommendation, one from supervisor/employer
- Resume or curriculum vitae
- Official transcripts from all educational institutions attended
- RN or APRN License—see requirements below
Program Requirements and Prerequisites
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
Post-Graduate 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
STATE REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS
Due to regulatory requirements in the states listed below, we are unable to accept or enroll students in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program who intend to reside in any of these states while pursuing a DNP: Delaware, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Tennessee. Students residing in the state of Washington or intending to pursue clinicals in that state may only enroll in the following DNP tracks: Family Nurse Practitioner, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, or Pediatric Primary and Acute Care Nurse Practitioner.
For all other states not listed above, regulations vary depending on the program and/or individual situation. Please contact Creighton University College of Nursing at 402.280.3492 for questions regarding a specific state.
INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS
Due to the specific features and requirements of this program, international students cannot be admitted. Unique situations may be discussed with your admissions advisor.
INTERNATIONAL TRANSCRIPTS
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. A list of approved agencies can be found here. 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 a DuoLingo 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.
“My Creighton education has prepared me to take on the challenges of today’s healthcare. I am able to take my knowledge and experiences throughout my time at Creighton University and apply them into patient care along with the Jesuit values.”
— Jenni Scranton, DNP-FNP, Alumni
“The faculty in the nurse practitioner programs all work clinically to maintain their certifications. They bring real life, up-to-date situations to the classroom and to the clinical experiences that we share with our students.”
— Nancy Bredenkamp, PhD, APRN-NP, Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs & Graduate Faculty Chair, College of Nursing
“People recognize the name and the brand and they’re proud to hire Creighton grads. They know [our program] has rigor. They know it has a sense of commitment and community. And they want to bring that to their institutions.”
— Megan Potthoff, PhD, Assistant Professor
Tuition & Financial Aid
Tuition rates change in the fall of each year for the DNP program.
Financial Aid
To help make your graduate studies at Creighton University more affordable, we encourage you to file the FAFSA to apply for financial assistance. We also encourage you to apply for available graduate student scholarships.
Still have questions? Email or call a friendly financial specialist at 402.280.2731.
Dates and Deadlines
The table below details the enrollment deadlines and starting dates of courses for the current academic year. If you have any questions about dates, deadlines, or application materials, please contact an admissions advisor for personalized assistance.
ONLINE
| START CLASSES IN | APPLY BY |
|---|---|
| August | May 1 |
| January | October 1 |
| May | February 1 |
Accreditation
The Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Creighton University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
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As a Creighton College of Nursing student, you will have the opportunity to contribute to the greater good. See some of the student organizations and service opportunities available to you.
Graduates who complete the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner DNP Program meet eligibility for national certification through the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
Graduates who complete the Family Nurse Practitioner DNP Program meet eligibility for national certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB).
Graduates who complete the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner DNP Program meet eligibility for national certification through the National Certification Corporation (NCC).
Graduates who complete the Pediatric Dual track DNP program are eligible to take the primary and acute care national certification exams through the Pediatric Nurse Certification Board (PNCB). View the course requirements of this track.
Graduates who complete the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner DNP Program meet eligibility for national certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program (AANPCP).
All of the above national certification credentialing agencies are accepted in all 50 states as the initial step in seeking licensure as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN).
