BS to DNP in Nursing

DNP

The Doctor of Nursing Practice is the highest achievement in clinical nursing practice. Five highly specialized tracks offer students their choice of intensive, focused degree options that prepare graduates for employment in competitive clinical and nonclinical nursing careers.

The BS to DNP program is a hybrid, 65-credit program. Students with a master’s in nursing may need less that 65 credits to complete a DNP degree. Contact the Graduate Program Manager to identify total credits needed to complete DNP degree.

Specializations of the BS to DNP

• Adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioners provide care to patients suffering from chronic, acute or severe illnesses. Practicums are in hospital or specialty clinic settings.
• Clinical nurse specialists provide direct patient care by providing education, improvement projects and delivery of health care services to specific populations of patients. Practicums will be in hospital settings.
• Family nurse practitioners work in primary care settings. Their focus is care of the family. Student practicums will be in primary care settings such as family medical clinics, urgent care clinics, community clinics, schools and correctional facilities to provide primary and urgent care to individuals and families across the lifespan.
• Nurse executives work in an administrative or leadership role to manage patient services and support organizational goals. Practicums will be in hospital or community settings.
• Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners provide mental health treatment to patients across the lifespan. They educate their patients about their diagnoses and help manage treatment plans. Practicums will be in outpatient or inpatient behavioral clinics.

Considering a APRN Certificate?

APRN-prepared nurses can expand their practice through a UWM graduate certificate. Learn more about our Graduate Certificate options.

Foundations of Advanced Nursing Practice

Evidence-Based Practice Core

Systems Core

Specialty Theory and Practicum

Students take 27 total credits of theory and practicum in one of the following specialty areas:

• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
• Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• Nurse Executive

Project Core

Requirements for Admission

The BS to DNP prerequisites are the following:

The admission requirements of the DNP program in Nursing are consistent with those requirements specified by the Graduate School of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. In addition, students must also meet the following requirements for the School of Nursing (more details in the application):

• A bachelor’s degree or a master’s in Nursing from a professionally accredited program, with a minimum grade point average of at least 3.0 (4.0 scale).
• One year of RN experience.
• Completion with a grade of B or higher in an upper-level undergraduate course in
  statistics within the last five years. 
• A current unencumbered Registered Nurse license.
• Three (3) letters of recommendation for graduate study in nursing, two (2) of which are from persons most knowledgeable about the applicant’s recent academic and work experiences. 
• Completion of a personal statement.
• Current CV or resume.
• Submission of one writing sample.
• Personal interview with a faculty member.               

Program Advising

Jennifer Carrera, MS

• Graduate Program Manager

• jcarrera@uwm.edu
• Cunningham Hall 621