Post-Baccalaureate Doctor of Nursing Practice Program

Advanced practice nursing requirements are changing nationwide. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) has recommended that the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) replace the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) as the entry level degree for advanced practice nursing by 2015.

According to the AACN, the changing demands of our nation's complex healthcare environment require the highest level of scientific knowledge and practice expertise to assure quality patient outcomes. The practice doctorate in nursing follows a national trend toward clinical doctorates in other fields, including pharmacy, physical therapy and audiology.

In response, UCF College of Nursing has begun transitioning its nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist curriculum so it aligns with the national model and produces post-baccalaureate DNP graduates by the 2015 deadline.

During the national transition period, students enrolled in our post-baccalaureate DNP program will have the option to earn their MSN degree as they complete their terminal DNP degree. This will allow students to take required certification exams, become licensed as advanced practice nurses and begin working in the role as they finish their doctorate.

To allow for this national transition, UCF College of Nursing is not accepting new students to the nurse practitioner tracks in Spring 2010.

Beginning Fall 2010, we will begin offering a post-baccalaureate DNP program which will prepare nurses with bachelor's degrees for advanced practice as adult nurse practitioners, family nurse practitioners and adult clinical nurse specialists.

The curriculum for the post-baccalaureate DNP program is currently being developed. We expect it to be approved by the end of 2009. A competitive GRE score will be required to apply for the doctoral program.

UCF College of Nursing will continue to offer the MSN with specializations in Clinical Nurse Leader, Nursing Leadership & Management, or Nurse Educator. These three MSN tracks will continue to be offered fully online with no GRE admission requirement.

Request information.
If you would like more information about our new post-baccalaureate DNP program, please click here and fill out our online request form.

We will send program announcements to those who register once the program has been offically approved. Thank you for your patience during this time of national transition!

Accreditation of nursing program.
The college is a member of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

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PROGRAM OPEN HOUSE
Individuals interested in the post-baccalaureate DNP program should attend an open house in December. More...

EARN MSN ALONG THE WAY
During the national transition period, students enrolled in our post-baccalaureate DNP program will have the option to earn their MSN degree as they complete their terminal DNP degree. This will allow students to take required certification exams, become licensed as advanced practice nurses and begin working in the role as they finish their doctorate.

REQUEST INFORMATION
If you would like more information about our new post-baccalaureate DNP program, please click here and fill out our online request form.

We will send program announcements to those who register once the program has been officially approved. Thank you for your patience during this time of national transition!

LEARN ABOUT NATIONAL TRANSITION
To learn more about the new national model for advanced practice nursing, please visit www.aacn.nche.edu/DNP.