Post-MSN Doctorate of Nursing Practice

Program Overview

The Post-MSN to DNP programs are offered online and address 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. The programs are designed for current APRNs who wish to further their clinical expertise in their current specialty area or in palliative care. In these programs, a practice improvement project will be implemented with oversight from faculty.

Why MUSC's Post-MSN Program

• All tracks receive mental health and palliative care education as part of their curriculum.
• Our Program faculty consists of nationally recognized educators and researchers. Experts and leaders in the field with a passion for mentoring the next generation of nurse practitioners. 
• We are widely recognized for providing a supportive learning environment that has a low student-to-faculty ratio, expert faculty, and preceptors as well as highly successful complex clinical settings.

Curriculum

The Doctor of Nursing Practice program has two-entry options:

• Post-Baccalaureate (BSN)
• Post-Master's (MSN) for Advanced Practice Nurses

There are four areas of specialty focus for Post-BSN students:

• Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (A-GNP)
• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP)
• Psychiatric Mental Health (PMHNP)

There are two program options for Post-MSN students:

• Advanced Practice Nursing (APN)
• Lifespan Palliative Care (LPC)

Additional palliative care clinical hours may also be added dependent on individual student goals/needs with the course NRDNP 876.

Graduate students can elect to add Nurse Educator courses to include:

• NURSM 615 Methodology of Online Teaching, 3 credit hours
• NURSM 703 Instructional Processes, 3 credit hours
• NURSM 713 Curriculum Design & Development, 3 credit hours
• NRPHD 800 Mentored Teaching, 3 credit hours

Meet Your Lead Faculty, Dr. Whitney Smith

Whitney Smith
DNP, ANP, GNP
Lead Faculty AGNP Track
smithwhit@musc.edu

My name is Whitney Smith and I am the Lead Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP). I have been a nurse practitioner (NP) for close to twenty years! I always knew that I wanted to be a health care provider. While I was in college for my Biology degree, I learned about nurse practitioners and how the nursing model guides their holistic patient care - and I was hooked; I knew that this was the type of medicine I wanted to practice! The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) was the school I decided on; I received my BSN in 1999, my MSN in 2001, and my DNP in 2017.

I spent much of my clinical career managing acute and chronic illnesses, moving patients toward better health outcomes and a reduction in health care costs.  I have worked as a nurse practitioner in women’s health, primary care, and skilled nursing care. I always enjoyed precepting student nurse practitioners and had a desire to eventually teach at the university level. In 2013 I had the amazing opportunity begin my career in academia teaching at my alma mater, here at MUSC!

I am passionate about education; as an educator in the field of nursing I strive to inspire growth and learning in the students I teach. I endeavor to engage their minds and the passions that drive them.  I challenge them to become expert diagnosticians as well as compassionate, respectful and innovative providers of medical care. I believe that understanding and teaching quality improvement is integral for enriching patient care, health outcomes and access to care. It is the foundation for the DNP degree.  Because my first love was practice, I continue to see patients one day a week at a free clinic. We provide primary care with a focus on chronic disease management for the uninsured and underserved population. We work in interprofessional teams and act as a clinical site for our DNP students. It is my belief that my passion and pride for my chosen career as a DNP and educator is conveyed to my students and helps to inspire enthusiasm and growth in the field of nursing.

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