Doctor of Nursing Practice, BSN to DNP

Program Overview

Belmont University's Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program offers two tracks: Family Nurse Practitioner and Health Care Leadership. The program emphasizes improving health equity, translating knowledge into practice, and developing advanced practice nursing skills. Graduates are prepared for leadership roles in healthcare organizations, patient care, and nursing education. The program integrates classroom learning with clinical practice experiences and a signature experience focused on cultural humility and population health.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Family Nurse Practitioner Track:

• Focuses on improving health equity and individual and population health outcomes.
• Graduates are eligible for national certification exams through ANCC or AANPCP.
• Prepares students to diagnose and manage treatment, counsel patients, and collaborate with healthcare professionals.

Health Care Leadership Track:

• Enables students to become leaders, administrators, and patient care directors.
• Prepares students to work in universities, hospitals, and community settings.
• Leads to career paths in nursing education, healthcare policy development, and healthcare advocacy.

Objectives:

• Integrate knowledge from various disciplines including nursing, biophysical, social, and organizational sciences to transform and develop advanced practice nursing.
• Translate knowledge to improve patient and population health outcomes.
• Manage complex healthcare systems using current and emerging technologies.
• Advocate for equitable and ethical healthcare policies.
• Develop and evaluate effective healthcare education programs for diverse populations.
• Collaborate effectively to improve healthcare quality across diverse populations and address health disparities.

Program Description:

• Designed to be completed in three years of full-time study with flexibility for working students.
• Integrates classroom learning with clinical practice experiences.
• Prepares graduates to contribute to improving healthcare systems and population health.
• Meets professional standards set by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).
• Offered in a collaborative environment that fosters academic excellence and professional development.

Other:

• The program emphasizes the Belmont University mission to develop diverse leaders with purpose, character, wisdom, and a transformational mindset.
• Provides a strong foundation for ethical and compassionate healthcare leadership.
• Prepares graduates to make a positive impact on the lives of patients and communities.

Outline:

Core Curriculum:

• Advanced Pharmacology (NUR 5140)
• Health Care Policy (NUR 6220)
• Population Health and Epidemiology (NUR 6100)
• Leadership & Management of Organizations & Systems (NUR 6210)
• Health Care Education of Diverse Populations (NUR 6240)

Track Specific Curriculum:

Family Nurse Practitioner (APRN/FNP) Track:

• FNP Core Courses
• FNP Clinical Experiences
• FNP Signature Experience (DNP Project)

Health Care Leadership Track:

• Leadership Core Courses
• Leadership Electives
• Leadership Signature Experience (DNP Project)

Signature Experience:

• Dynamic blend of didactic and experiential learning.
• Focuses on cultural and psychosocial dimensions of population health.
• Involves practicing cultural humility, leadership, and shared decision-making.
• Promotes health by building long-term capacity through quality improvement activities.
• Engages students in interprofessional teams to explore multifaceted practice and systems issues.

Assessment:

• Assessments vary depending on the course and specific learning objectives.
• May include:
• Clinical performance evaluations
• Written assignments
• Presentations
• Examinations
• Completion of the DNP project

Teaching:

• Experienced faculty with expertise in nursing, healthcare leadership, and clinical practice.
• Small class sizes for personalized attention and interaction.
• Emphasis on active learning, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
• Access to state-of-the-art technology and simulation labs.
• Incorporates clinical immersion and scholarship projects.

Careers:

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP):

• Provides primary and preventative care to individuals and families across the lifespan.
• Works in diverse settings like outpatient clinics, urgent care, hospitals, and specialty clinics.
• Diagnoses and treats acute and chronic illnesses, manages medications, and orders diagnostic tests.
• Provides health education and counseling to patients and families.

Nurse Educator:

• Trains future nurses at universities, colleges, hospitals, and community settings.
• Develops and implements curriculum, teaches courses, and mentors students.
• Conducts research and scholarship related to nursing education.
• Participates in professional organizations and activities.

Nurse Leader:

• Provides leadership and direction in healthcare organizations.
• Develops and implements innovative healthcare policies and programs.
• Manages budgets, resources, and staff.
• Advocates for patients and families, and promotes quality and safety initiatives.

Other:

• The program receives applications through the Nursing Central Application Service (Nursing CAS).
• Admissions are considered on a rolling basis until all program spaces are filled.
• Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
• Application process includes submission of:
• Application and essay
• Two letters of reference
• Interview (if invited)
• Post-acceptance requirements include:
• Enrollment deposit
• Final official transcripts
• Documentation of licensure or certification
• Background check
• Required immunizations
• Proof of health insurance coverage
• International applicants may have additional requirements and deadlines.
• Belmont University College of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and is approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing.
• Belmont Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP)
• Belmont University College of Nursing facilities
• Student opportunities like service learning and global health immersion
• Alumni testimonials