Program Overview

---

Doctor of Nursing Practice

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at Vanderbilt University is designed for nurses actively engaged in advanced nursing practice. The program prepares nursing leaders to improve healthcare with innovative care delivery programs rooted in evidence-based knowledge and methods.

DNP Tracks

The DNP program offers several tracks, including:

• Advanced Clinical Practice Track: Prepare to effect change as an expert clinician in a variety of positions, including nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, clinical nurse specialist, and more.
• Advanced Systems Practice Track: Designed for nurses dedicated to improving healthcare systems in a variety of communities and settings, including hospitals, practices, government entities, and nonprofits.
• Executive Leadership Track: Improve patient care in an ever-changing industry by learning to drive innovation, influence policy, and effectively lead teams.
• Nurse Anesthesia: To meet the growing demand for nurse anesthetists, Vanderbilt School of Nursing will welcome its first cohort of students in summer 2026.

Program Details

• Format: Primarily online, with week-long intensives on campus each semester.
• Program Length: 36 total credit hours across 5 to 6 semesters for post-master's students, and 64-77 total credit hours across 8 full-time semesters for BSN to DNP students.
• Evidence-based Mentorship: Actively practicing faculty who will mentor students in evidence-based knowledge.
• Practice in Your Context: Tailored practice applications can be completed in the student's community.
• Scholarly Project: Instead of completing a dissertation, DNP students present a scholarly project that demonstrates the synthesis of their experiences.

Admissions Requirements

Browse the degree requirements and work experience necessary for each course of study.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Apply for financial aid, and explore available scholarship opportunities.

BSN to DNP Program

Registered nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree can earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree without obtaining a master's-level nursing degree.

Specialties

The BSN to DNP program offers several specialties, including:

• Nurse Practitioner
• Nurse-Midwife
• Non-clinical Specialties
• Nurse Anesthesia

Nurse Practitioner

• Format: Online with a few in-person sessions
• Program Length: Completed in 7-8 full-time semesters (part-time available)
• Advanced Practice Specialties:
  • Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Emergency Nurse Practitioner
  • Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
  • Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care
  • Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Primary Care
  • Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Lifespan)
  • Women's Health/Gender-Related Nurse Practitioner
  • Womens Health Gender-Related Nurse Practitioner/Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

Nurse-Midwife

• Format: On-campus with offsite clinical experiences
• Program Length: Completed in 8-9 semesters
• Advanced Practice Specialties:
  • Nurse-Midwifery

Non-Clinical Specialty

• Format: Completely online
• Program Length: 6 part-time semesters
• Non-Clinical Specialty:
  • Nursing Informatics

Nurse Anesthesia

• Format: Full-time, in-person format
• Program Length: 36 months/9 semesters

Post-Masters Certificates

Want to add a new certification or change your focus? Extend your program of study and complete a Post-Masters Certificate as part of your Post-Masters DNP.

Accreditation Information

The Vanderbilt DNP program meets the recommendations of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF). It is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.