DNP - APRN Program Overview

The DNP program is offered online and addresses the most contemporary aspects of expert clinical practice and in depth knowledge and experience in leadership, health systems design and evaluation, evidence-based practice, health policy, and applied research. Our program addresses the challenges facing todays healthcare provider through enhanced learning in Telehealth, integrated behavioral health assessment and management across all focus areas and content to prepare APRNs to assess, diagnose and treat patients with opiate use disorders. There are a few courses that require a visit to campus. (Please click here for the FAQ's)

The MUSC DNP Program enables students to:

• Demonstrate expertise in advanced clinical nursing practice roles (Adult Geriatric, Family, Pediatric, Psychiatric Mental Health, Palliative Care) based on mastery of a specialized area of knowledge derived from a strong scientific foundation.
• Use clinical scholarship and analytical methods to improve quality and safety in health care systems through organizational leadership, systems thinking, and practice management acumen.
• Implement evidence based practice, continuous quality improvement in patient care and provide leadership in practice and clinical decision-making through use of information systems and technology resources.
• Foster interprofessional collaboration and teamwork in the improvement of population health outcomes.
• Influence health care policy that determines the financing, regulation, access, and delivery of care.
• Promote health equity in the provision of care to eliminate health disparities.

The DNP program is a practice-focused doctoral program in nursing that awards both the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree and the terminal professional degree of Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) upon graduation.  Graduates will be employed in primary care settings, long term care facilities, hospitals, public health agencies, and schools of nursing.  The purpose of the program is to prepare graduates who will practice nursing at the highest clinical level. 

Psychiatric-Mental Lifespan Certification

Post-graduate certificate to obtain Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner – Lifespan Certification now available!

Eligible applicants include: APRN licensed primary care or acute care certified Nurse Practitioners and certified Clinical Nurse Specialists in Psychiatric-Mental Health

State Authorization

MUSC College of Nursing online programs are approved to offer distance education to students in all SARA states and California.  Additional information can be found here.

Professional Licensure

The Board of Nursing for each state dictates licensure requirements for Registered Nurses and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses. MUSC College of Nursing applicants and students should familiarize themselves with the requirements for the state(s) in which they intend to practice using the links below. Additional questions may be directed to the Director of Student Services and Alumni Affairs: Jessica Williams

• RN Licensure
• APRN Licensure

The MUSC College of Nursing BSN and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). DNP graduates are eligible to sit for national certification (ANCC, AANP, PNCB) in their specified track (A/GNP, FNP, PMHNP, PNP). Passing these exams meet the requirements for professional licensure in South Carolina but other states may have additional requirements.

Out-of-state Clinical Experiences

Out-of-state applicants and students are responsible for contacting their State Board of Nursing to determine any requirements that are needed in order to complete clinical rotations as a distance student.  The NCSBN provides a quick search of Prelicensure Distance Education Requirements per state. Students should notify their Program Director upon entry if there are requirements that our school must complete for Board of Nursing approval.

MUSC accepts applications to the Doctor of Nursing Practice program from students who live in all states except the following: Louisiana, Arizona, Oregon, and Washington. 

 

 

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