Post-BSN Doctorate of Nursing Practice

Program Overview

The Online Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a practice focused doctoral degree designed to prepare advanced practice nurses in a population focus and is one of the highest levels of educational preparation for nurses. The DNP is the degree of choice for those who wish to impact quality and safety in health care, influence patient care outcomes by incorporating evidence-based practice into everyday care and serve in leadership and executive level positions in major health care organizations to impact change.

Why MUSC's Post-BSN DNP Program

• We welcome new graduates without nursing experience – you can apply while you are finishing your BSN degree! Evidence shows that registered nursing experience is not related to success as an advanced practice nurse.
• No GRE required for admission.
• All tracks receive mental health and palliative care education as part of their curriculum.
• Thinking of transferring? Your DNP level coursework may be transferred, pending approval from our admissions department.
• The DNP program faculty consists of nationally recognized educators and researchers. You will be taught by experts and leaders in the field with a passion for mentoring the next generation.

Clinical Specializations

Post-BSN to DNP students will choose one of four clinical specializations with a primary care focus:

Adult-Gerontology

Pediatric

Family

Psychiatric Mental Health

Message from the Assistant Dean

Catherine O. Durham
DNP, APRN, FNP, FAAN
Assistant Dean for Graduate Practice Programs
durhamc@musc.edu

The Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP)  are designed to prepare advanced practice nurses in a population focus and are one of the highest levels of educational preparation for nurses. The MSN and DNP are the degree of choice for those who wish to impact quality and safety in health care, influence patient care outcomes by incorporating evidence-based practice into everyday care, and serve in leadership and executive level positions in major health care organizations to impact change. This degree focuses on the implementation of evidence from research and not on the creation of new science.

It provides the student with a framework for process improvement that will allow them to lead initiatives to improve the quality, safety, and cost of care in any health care setting. In an era of health care reform and ongoing change, the MSN and DNP graduate will be prepared to navigate a new health care system with the expertise to impact care at an individual, population and global level. The College of Nursing has been preparing expert professionals for over 140 years with a tradition of nursing excellence. We are dedicated to preparing leaders who will shape the health care of tomorrow.

*DNP students are expected to attend on campus learning intensive.