Post-BSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice
- Program Delivery
- On Campus, Online
- Total Credits
- 70 Credits
About the Program
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree provides the Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) educated Registered Nurse (RN) a path to attain the highest Doctoral Nursing Degree. The DNP Candidate will graduate confident that the education they were provided will allow them to practice in the clinical setting at the highest level with the ability to improve patients health outcomes. The BSN-DNP focuses on evaluating evidenced based nursing, medical, and healthcare science to prepare the DNP Candidate for leadership roles in the healthcare system. The DNP program offered by the Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) will build on the RN’s BSN education and clinical practice, concluding with the DNP Candidate, earning a DNP, a terminal nursing degree.
Focus of Study
The Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) to Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) course of study educates and prepares Registered Nurses (RNs) for leadership and advanced clinical practice roles. The DNP is a terminal degree with an emphasis on translating Evidence Based Research into clinical practice, identifying healthcare delivery concerns at the bedside, implementing quality improvement and clinical practice guidelines, and identify how systems leadership impacts the delivery of healthcare. The ultimate goal of the DNP Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) is to improve patient outcomes across the lifespan. Achieving a DNP provides an avenue for RNs to achieve the highest level of clinical practice.
The DNP Candidate will improve one’s critical reasoning, increase advanced practice clinical knowledge, and gain an understanding of the importance of innovative technology and its role in the delivery of healthcare. The DNP educational pathway stresses the importance of ethical, safe, culturally sensitive, cost-effective healthcare, and patient advocacy.
The DNP course of study culminates with a scholarly project that exemplifies quality improvement work which will positively impact the delivery of healthcare and improve patient outcomes.
Program Requirements
Upon admission to the BSN-DNP program, the student must complete a minimum of 70 credits at the graduate level and earn at least 70 credits to graduate with a doctorate at UCCS. Students must maintain a B grade or better in all courses.
A B (84%) must be maintained to remain in the program. A successfully defended DNP project is required. The student must complete all degree requirements within seven years.
The final requirement of the DNP program is a quality-improvement project consisting of a paper, poster, and presentation.
Program Coursework
BSN-DNP (PMHNP) Full-Time
NURS 7010: Theoretical Foundations of Reflective Practice
NURS 7070: Population Based Health Care for Improving the Nation’s Health
NURS 6120: Research and Knowledge Translation in Nursing
NURS 6740: Advanced Pathophysiology
NURS 7200: Organizational Systems Leadership (45 hrs Clinical Residency)
NURS 6730: Health Assessment (45 contact hrs of clinical)
NURS 7080: Clinical Nursing Scholarship for Evidence-Based Practice
NURS 7120: Evaluation of Clinical Research & QI Projects
NURS 6280: Clinical Pharmacotherapeutics
NURS 7090: Business, Finance and Entrepreneurship for Advanced Practice Nursing
NURS 6800: Mental Health Assessment & Interventions Across the Lifespan
NURS 8050: DNP Project I
NURS 6801: (135 hrs clinical) Adult Psychiatric Diagnosis and Management for the PMHNP
NURS 8051: DNP Project II
DNP PROJECT PROPOSAL DEFENSE
NURS 6802: (135 hrs clinical) Geriatric Psychiatric Diagnosis & Management for the PMHNP
NURS 8052: DNP Project III
NURS 6803: (135 hrs clinical) Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Diagnosis and Management for the PMHNP
NURS 7030: Advanced Health Care Policy, Ethics and Law (45 hrs Clinical Residency)
NURS 8053: DNP Project IV
NURS 6985: (225 hrs clinical) Final Synthesis Practicum PMH option
NURS 8054: DNP Project V DNP PROJECT DEFENSE
BSN-DNP (AGNP) & (FNP) Full-Time
NURS 7010: Theoretical Foundations of Reflective Practice
NURS 7070: Population Based Health Care for Improving the Nation’s Health
NURS 6120: Research and Knowledge Translation in Nursing
NURS 6740: Advanced Pathophysiology
NURS 7200: Organizational Systems Leadership (45 hrs Clinical Residency)
NURS 6730: Health Assessment (45 contact hrs of clinical)
NURS 7080: Clinical Nursing Scholarship for Evidence-Based Practice
NURS 7120: Evaluation of Clinical Research & QI Projects
NURS 6280: Clinical Pharmacotherapeutics
NURS 7090: Business, Finance and Entrepreneurship for Advanced Practice Nursing
NURS 6915 (5) Primary Care of Adults and Families with Acute Health Conditions (90 hrs clinical practicum)
NURS 6960 (2) Gender Health Primary Care
NURS 8050 (3) DNP Project I
NURS 6925 (5) Primary Care of Adults & Families with Chronic Health Conditions (90 hrs clinical practicum)
NURS 8051 (2) DNP Project II
DNP PROJECT PROPOSAL DEFENSE
NURS 6950 (5) Primary Care of Older Adults of Patients and Families (AGNP)
NURS 6900: Primary Care of Pediatric Patients and Families (FNP)
NURS 8052 (1) DNP Project III
NURS 7030 (4) Advanced Health Care Policy, Ethics and Law (45 hrs Clinical Residency)
NURS 6980 (4) Synthesis Practicum (180 hours of practicum)
NURS 8053 (2) DNP Project I
NURS 6980 (4) Synthesis Practicum (180 hours of practicum)
NURS 8054 (3) DNP Project V
DNP PROJECT DEFENSE
Approved States and Clinical Placement Requirements
Department of Education Required Licensure Disclosure Information
Please refer to the link below for information on whether our curriculum meets the requirements for licensure in each state.
Admission Requirements
- A bachelor's degree from an ACEN or CCNE accredited institution with an upper division major in nursing
- A minimum grade point average of 3.0 on the baccalaureate level
- Curriculum vitae or resume
- Current unrestricted Registered Nurse license from an approved state listed on our website
- All English as Second Language (ESL) applicants are required to meet a minimum standard of English proficiency for admission. This requirement can be met by one of the English Proficiency Requirements.
- Submission of all required application materials by posted deadlines (all required materials are listed in the online application)
- Transcripts from all institutions attended must be submitted for their evaluation and that unofficial transcripts can be used for the admission evaluation but an “Official” transcript from the BSN degree granting institution must be submitted prior to the start of the second term of attendance.
Note: Applicants with course-work from any foreign college to submit a course-by-course foreign transcript evaluation by a NACES or AICE member. (Please note: Official evaluations received directly from SpanTran, WES and ECE credential agencies may enable more efficient review and processing of transfer credit by UCCS.)
* Upon the successful completion of your online application, you will receive a private link to upload each foreign post-secondary transcript from institutions you have attended. These transcripts must include all courses and grades, must be issued in the original language, and be accompanied by certified English translations when applicable.
Essay Questions
The online application will require answers to several essay questions. We strongly recommend drafting your answers to these questions before beginning the application so that you can complete it in one sitting.
Essay Questions: the first is mandatory, then choose 3 of the remaining 6 questions to answer. Responses should be 250-300 words each.
- What are you doing to find clinical spots? (mandatory question)
- What professional or personal life obstacles have you had to overcome to be successful in your education or career?
- What skills or characteristics do you possess that will make you a successful practitioner?
- What opportunities do you see that might help improve health in your state?
- What language or cultural expertise and experience do you have that enhances your ability to practice health care?
- What interests do you have in historical, cultural or health related topics that have spurred your intellectual curiosity?
- What professional life experiences do you have or community service have you done where you led efforts to overcome a problem or challenge?”
Contact Us
Debbie Schultze
Academic Services Professional
(719) 255-4458
dschult3@uccs.edu
Tuition and Fee Estimate
See the Bursars Office website for a tuition and fee estimate.
Additional costs:
There are additional costs besides tuition that are incurred when obtaining licensure as an advanced practice registered nurse.
The estimated costs below may include but are not limited to an application fee (70.00-350.00), transcripts (15.00) and fingerprinting and background check (30.00-58.00). Certification board examination fees (see links below) along with professional liability insurance (600.00-1500.00). These are estimates based on the states we admit from and can change at any time. You should use the links below to find the specific state Board of Nursing (BON) website where you plan to apply for licensure in order to find the most current information.