What is the DNP degree?

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree is one of two terminal degree options in nursing. It is a clinical doctorate that prepares expert nurse leaders for the highest level of practice. UT's post-master's program offers two unique tracks — one for nurse practitioners and two for nurse leaders. (The leadership tracks are open to students with current nursing licensure in Florida and/or one of the nursing compact states.) DNP graduates are equipped to affect change in health care systems by leading interdisciplinary teams who have the ability to identify clinical problems and translate evidence-based research solutions into practice. The result is improved quality of health care for individuals and communities.

DNP Program Outcomes

The program outcomes are the expected student learning outcomes, reflecting characteristics of the expected graduate of the DNP program and the key concepts selected by the UT Nursing Faculty. The Nursing Program’s Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) describe the graduate as one who will be able to:

1. Integrate nursing science and theory with knowledge from ethics, biophysical, psychosocial, analytical, and organizational sciences to develop and evaluate advanced nursing practice (Essential I AACN, 2006);
2. Develop and evaluate practice-level and/or systemwide initiatives incorporating safety, ethics organizational, political, and economic science principles to improve health outcomes within healthcare systems. (Essential II AACN, 2006);
3. Design and implement processes that use the best evidence available to collaborate, conduct, translate, and disseminate research to guide improvements in nursing practice and outcomes of care (Essential III AACN, 2006);
4. Design, use, and evaluate information systems and technology, considering ethical and legal implications, to support, improve, and transform health care (Essential IV AACN, 2006);
5. Assume leadership roles in the analysis, development and evaluation of health care policies through advocacy, teaching, and active participation in policy making (Essential V AACN, 2006);
6. Promote collegial and collaborative relationships with interprofessional teams that improve patient and population outcomes (Essential VI AACN, 2006);
7. Assume leadership roles in evidence-based health promotion and risk reduction/illness prevention practices in individual, aggregate, and population health (Essential VII AACN, 2006);
8. Demonstrate skills in advanced practice roles through the synthesis of biophysical, psychosocial, behavioral, sociopolitical, cultural, economic, and nursing science knowledge as appropriate for area of specialization (Essential VIII AACN, 2006).

 

Is the DNP program online?

UT's DNP program is offered online, with three on-campus residencies.

 

How many times will I have to come to campus?

Three on-campus residency periods are required. These are at the beginning, fourth semester and at the end of the sixth semester.

 

How long are the residency periods?

Students are required to come to campus for two days (Friday-Saturday).

 

What happens if I miss one of the on-campus residencies or cannot stay for the entire time?

Residency dates are posted on the DNP website a year in advance to assist students in planning their campus visits. Students are required to attend the entire residency session according to the hours it is scheduled. If a student is unable to attend, the student must wait until the following year when it is offered again to attend.

 

When can I start the DNP program?

The next cohort will begin Spring 2025 (January).

 

Why should I consider getting a DNP degree at UT?

UT's DNP program is a high-quality program that has been designed with the student experience as the priority. We understand the busy schedule of an actively practicing clinician. Every detail of the DNP student experience has been designed so that the student can focus on completing the degree, not being frustrated by the technology or unnecessary requirements. Students benefit from small class sizes; organized, knowledgeable, efficient and available faculty and staff with flexible virtual office hours; qualified faculty with diverse clinical and research experience; the latest technology for online delivery; clear expectations for success with the DNP project; expert help with statistics and completion of the DNP project; asynchronous delivery that fits the working clinician's busy schedule; complete orientation to all aspects of the DNP experience, including installation of required software; and technology support that is second to none.

 

How many clinical hours will I need to complete?

APRNs in the DNP program will need to have 1,000 post-baccalaureate precepted clinical hours. The APRN and Leadership DNP students will have a minimum of 500 post-baccalaureate clinical hours to meet The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education (AACN, 2021). In addition, APRNs will demonstrate a minimum of an addional 500 hours of post-baccalaureate precepted clinical hours for their nurse practitioner education. Evidence of completion of a minimum of 500 clinical hours in a master’s APRN curriculum must be proven prior to acceptance into the DNP program. Acceptable proof of the 500 clinical hour completion includes APRN national certification AND completion of the UT clinical hours verification form to be signed by one of the following:

1. The master's program director, OR
2. The mentor who supervised the required practice experience hours.

 

How long does the program take to complete?

Six part-time semesters.

 

tDo you offer full-time and part-time options?

The DNP program is offered part-time over six consecutive semesters.

 

Is the GRE required?

The GRE is not required.

 

What is the DNP project?

The DNP project goal is to demonstrate mastery of the DNP role. The project is conducted over the last four semesters of the program. The project begins with a student-identified clinical problem. Students then partner with community agencies and healthcare organizations that have an interest and need for a practice change initiative. Students are assigned a DNP project chair and committee that has expertise in the project of interest. Under strong mentorship, the student develops the DNP project to research, design, implement and evaluate a solution. Students complete a DNP project paper and disseminate the findings to the clinical organization, faculty and future UT DNP students. The DNP project will be stored in the UT repository.

 

Do I have to live in Florida to attend the DNP program?

The leadership tracks are open to students with current nursing licensure in Florida and/or one of the nursing compact states. The advanced practice nursing track is open only to students with a Florida APRN license.

 

Can I work while in the DNP program?

Most students are clinicians working in advanced practice nursing roles. The program has been designed to meet the needs of the working provider.

 

How many students are accepted?

25 per year

 

When is the admission deadline?

Students are admitted on a rolling basis for the DNP program; once an application is complete, it is sent for review. Students are encouraged to apply early.