Post-Master's Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Cathy R. Taylor, Dean, College of Health Sciences
Martha  Buckner, Associate Dean, School of Nursing
Linda Wofford, Director, Graduate Studies in Nursing
Erin Shankel, Interim Director, Graduate Studies in Nursing

Faculty: Loretta Bond, BJ Hutchins, Elizabeth Morse, Linda Wofford, Dave Wyant.

Post-Master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Belmont University’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program prepares nurses for advanced practice roles with the highest level of clinical nursing competence.   The DNP is a clinical doctorate serving as a terminal professional degree for nurses in advanced practice and nursing administration.

The program will develop nursing leaders skilled in measurement of patient and population outcomes, education of diverse populations, leadership in health policy development and implementation, translation of evidence into clinical practice, and advocacy for safe and quality care within complex health care delivery systems.  Graduates will attain clinical, organizational and leadership expertise designed to meet the changing demands of the present and future health care system.

 The Belmont DNP meets the professional standards for the practice doctorate ("Doctoral Essentials") developed by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).The Post-Master’s DNP program is offered in a hybrid format with intensive classes held on campus during four weekends (Friday evening & Saturday) each semester supplemented by online course work and interactions.

Graduates of Belmont’s DNP program will be able to:

1. Integrate knowledge from nursing, biophysical, social, analytical, and organizational sciences to develop and transform advanced practice nursing.
2. Translate nursing, biophysical, social, analytical, and organizational knowledge to improve patient and population health outcomes.
3. Manage increasingly complex health care system demands by incorporating knowledge of current and emerging health technologies.
4. Provide leadership and advocacy for social justice, equity, and ethical policies in health care.
5. Develop, implement and evaluate effective and sustainable educational programs for varying populations.
6. Demonstrate intra- and inter-professional collaboration to improve healthcare quality and outcomes across diverse populations and to address health disparities.

Admission to the Post-Master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program

Minimum Admission Requirements

Applicants Must:

1. Have earned a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree in advanced nursing practice or nursing administration from a nationally accredited nursing program (CCNE or ACEN [Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, formerly NLNAC]) with a minimum 3.5 GPA preferred.

2. Applicants who are advanced practice nurses (nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, clinical nurse specialist) will typically hold current national certification. 

Submit a completed application file (per the Application Steps below).  Applicantions will be received until a class is filled and will be open until May 1 for fall entry.  Candidates are encouraged to begin the application process as soon as possible.

Application Steps for Post-Master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Applicants

The School of Nursing receives applications for admission and most applicant credentials exclusively through the Nursing Central Application Service (NursingCAS), provided by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).  Applicants must submit a separate supplemental application and fee directly to Belmont.

The application steps are as follows:

1. Click the “Apply” link at www.nursingcas.org
2. Create an account and login to your secure NursingCAS online application.  When creating your account, be sure to click “Yes” to the question, “Are you applying to a graduate level program in nursing?
3. When logged in, complete all “Required” items on the Application Checklist as directed by NursingCAS.
4. In addition, Belmont University School of Nursing requires the following items also be submitted through NursingCAS (these items are indicated as “Optional” in NursingCAS):

          a. In the Professional Experience Section, submit information for all nursing
               certifications including such as a nurse practitioner by selecting “Certifications”
               from the drop-down menu and completing information requested.
          b. In the References Section, submit two (2) letters of recommendation.
          c. In the Personal Statement Section, complete an essay that addresses your
               professional goals, identification of a topic for your scholarly project should you
               be admitted to the DNP program, and potential location(s) for project
               implementation.

5. Be sure to designate Belmont University in the Designations Section of the application and to link your Belmont essay.   NursingCAS charges $65 for your application to be sent to the first program designation and $35 for each additional designation.
6. In addition to the NursingCAS application, Belmont University requires a supplemental application and fee ($50).   The supplement must currently be submitted in paper form and can be printed from the pdf.  Please send the completed supplemental application and $50 fee to Belmont University, Office of Admissions, 1900 Belmont Blvd., Nashville, TN 37212-3757 or fax to 615-460-5434.
7. Following a preliminary review of the completed application file, the Admissions Committee will invite selected applicants to interview prior to final admission decisions.

Enrollment Requirements

Once accepted, candidates must complete the following requirements before enrolling:
1. $500 non-refundable enrollment deposit by a specified deadline after acceptance,
     applied to first semester tuition
2. Documentation of national certification as a nurse practitioner, as requested
3. Final official transcript of MSN degree sent directly to Belmont University
4. A background check, as directed by the School of Nursing, with favorable results
5. Required immunizations
6. Proof of health insurance coverage
7. Program orientation
If any of these requirements are not satisfied, admission to the program may be rescinded.

International Applicants

1. International applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in the English language by submitting official TOEFL scores (required minimum of 550 PBT or 80 iBT) or by successful completion of ELS Language Center Level 112.
2. International applicants with college level course work from foreign institutions must have their transcripts evaluated by a credential evaluation service such as World Education Services (www.wes.org) or Joseph Silny & Associates (www.jsilny.com).
3. In order to be issued an I-20 for the desired entry term, international applicants must be admitted no later than June 1 in order to begin enrollment in the fall.

Questions

Questions about your application and/or requirements should be directed to:
Belmont University
Graduate Nursing Programs
1900 Belmont Blvd.
Nashville, TN 37212-3757
615-460-6130 Phone
gradnursing@belmont.edu

Program of Study