Nursing, DNP Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is an advanced-level, terminal degree for nurses who wish to become influential in nursing practice, administration, and education. The program develops innovative nurse leaders who use evidence-based practice to optimize health care delivery. As a graduate of the online DNP program, you will be prepared for roles in direct or indirect systems-focused care.

The goal of the Doctor of Nursing Practice, in addition to providing excellent care to patients, is to optimize health care delivery through effective systems transformation, or planned change. As DNP degree holders plan and implement their practice with individuals and populations, they integrate the spiritual, biological, social, psychological and cultural factors that influence human responses to health and illness. Learn much more about our program in the DNP Handbook.

Listen to Dr. Mary Beth Zeni, ScD, RN, share her experiences as a nurse researcher in this Year of the Nurse video. In the video, she shares how her research on upstream factors that contributed to adverse health outcomes influenced her nursing practice at regional perinatal centers in this Year of the Nurse video.

The National League for Nursing has designated the Breen School of Nursing a national Center of Excellence and U.S. News & World Report ranks Ursuline's nursing programs among the nation's top nursing programs.

How will a Doctorate in Nursing advance my career?

DNP degree holders will be prepared as clinical and researcher leaders to:

• Implement the highest levels and quality of advanced nursing care
• Provide leadership in health care organizations for the promotion of comprehensive, holistic patient care
• Lead change within integrated health care systems
• Make decisions based on the integration of a strong knowledge base, personal and professional values and diverse cultural, religious, spiritual and ethical perspectives
• Utilize evidence-based practice, including the use of informatics, to meet the health promotion, maintenance, and restoration needs of individuals, families, groups, systems and communities
• Implement policy-based approaches to health care that advance population health
• Function in independent and interdependent roles as the colleagues of other health professionals in various health care settings

Read more about this type of doctoral degree

DNP Degree Program Tracks

• Post Masters DNP
• DNP Nurse Anesthesia

Online DNP Program Accreditation

The Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Ursuline College is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) through 2027.