Nursing, DNP

Enhance and Promote Quality of Care

Quality 

Online classes with in-person, practical experiences. 

Impact

Outstanding and relevant curriculum with a rural focus.

Guidance

Talented and dedicated faculty to mentor you.

• Knowledge and Skills

  ETSU's DNP is designed to produce leaders in nursing and health care practice, and to provide advanced nursing students with the knowledge, skills, and values to:

  • Integrate specialized knowledge, theories, and research from nursing science and related disciplines for application to nursing practice.
  • Assume leadership roles as advanced clinicians, nurse educators, and/or administrators.
  • Demonstrate accountability in nursing practice according to accepted standards of patient care and safety.
  • Use information technology to translate research findings into evidence-based practice at the individual and health system levels.
  • Affect desired change by developing and implementing policies at different levels of the health care system and with different constituencies.
  • Provide multidisciplinary leadership through analysis of critical indicators within health care systems to provide optimal client care and safety.
  • Demonstrate advanced knowledge and skill in planning and delivery of health management.

Concentrations

• Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Concentration

  The focus of the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner is to provide healthcare to many populations, from adolescents to older adults, in hospitals and clinic settings. Students study the management of clients across acute care settings and collaborate with other members of the healthcare team. Graduates are eligible for the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner national certification examination. 

  Curriculum includes online courses taught by accomplished, dedicated faculty who are committed to advancing students in their scholarship. Some courses are offered asynchronously while some have synchronous requirements. In addition, there is one required intensive session on campus per semester. 

  This concentration’s coursework is delivered in an online asynchronous format. However, a 2-5 day intensive will be held at the beginning of each semester. These intensives may be completed in-person or via Zoom. Program information including curriculum and graduation requirements can be found in the ETSU Graduate Catalog and on the ETSU College of Nursing website. 

  Students in the DNP program must comply with all policies of the ETSU Graduate School regarding retention, progression, and graduation. In addition, before entrance into clinical courses, students must:

  • be licensed or authorized to practice in Tennessee or a compact state
  • demonstrate evidence of professional malpractice insurance in the amount of $1,000,000/$3,000,000 coverage (as a nurse practitioner student)
  • have current CPR certification and knowledge of universal precautions
  • comply with the clinical requirements of the College of Nursing
  • complete a criminal background check per College of Nursing policy
• Nursing and Healthcare Leadership Concentration

  Students completing this program are prepared to serve as nurse leaders in a variety of administrative roles. Translating evidence into practice is a role of the DNP, and for the nurse executive this may include addressing national health care policy, implementing change to improve patient outcomes, and leading multidisciplinary teams. Additionally, graduates are eligible to take the Nurse Executive Advanced Certification exam through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

  This concentration’s coursework is delivered in an online asynchronous format. However, a 2-5 day intensive will be held at the beginning of each semester. These intensives may be completed in-person or via Zoom. Program information including curriculum and graduation requirements can be found in the ETSU Graduate Catalog and on the ETSU College of Nursing website. This concentration admits students every other year, with several spaces available for each admission term.

  Students in the DNP program must comply with all policies of the ETSU Graduate School regarding retention, progression, and graduation. In addition, before entrance into clinical courses, students must:

  • be licensed or authorized to practice in Tennessee or a compact state
  • demonstrate evidence of professional malpractice insurance in the amount of $1,000,000/$3,000,000 coverage (as a nurse practitioner student)
  • have current CPR certification and knowledge of universal precautions
  • comply with the clinical requirements of the College of Nursing
  • complete a criminal background check per College of Nursing policy
• Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration

  This concentration focuses on clinical practice. This program prepares advanced practice nurses to assess and evaluate evidence from research and use the findings to impact practice change to enhance quality of care. FNPs build relationships with patients and their families to deliver compassionate and evidence-based care. Students enrolled in this certificate build skills to work in a variety of areas, including primary care clinics, nursing homes, health departments, education, and more. Graduates will be eligible for the national certification examination.

  Curriculum includes online courses taught by accomplished, dedicated faculty who are committed to advancing students in their scholarship. This concentration’s coursework is delivered in an online asynchronous format. However, a 2-5 day intensive will be held at the beginning of each semester. These intensives may be completed in-person or via Zoom. Program information including curriculum and graduation requirements can be found in the ETSU Graduate Catalog and on the ETSU College of Nursing website.

  Students in the DNP program must comply with all policies of the ETSU Graduate School regarding retention, progression, and graduation. In addition, before entrance into clinical courses, students must:

  • be licensed or authorized to practice in Tennessee or a compact state
  • demonstrate evidence of professional malpractice insurance in the amount of $1,000,000/$3,000,000 coverage (as a nurse practitioner student)
  • have current CPR certification and knowledge of universal precautions
  • comply with the clinical requirements of the College of Nursing
  • complete a criminal background check per College of Nursing policy
• Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Concentration

  The focus of the concentration is to prepare advanced practice nurses to provide comprehensive psychiatric-mental health care across the life span to individuals, groups and families in diverse settings. Graduates are eligible for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner national certification examination. The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner works in collaboration with other members of the healthcare team. 

  This concentration’s coursework is delivered in an online asynchronous format. However, a 2-5 day intensive will be held at the beginning of each semester. These intensives may be completed in-person or via Zoom. Program information including curriculum and graduation requirements can be found in the ETSU Graduate Catalog and on the ETSU College of Nursing website. 

  Students in the DNP program must comply with all policies of the ETSU Graduate School regarding retention, progression, and graduation. In addition, before entrance into clinical courses, students must:

  • be licensed or authorized to practice in Tennessee or a compact state
  • demonstrate evidence of professional malpractice insurance in the amount of $1,000,000/$3,000,000 coverage (as a nurse practitioner student)
  • have current CPR certification and knowledge of universal precautions
  • comply with the clinical requirements of the College of Nursing
  • complete a criminal background check per College of Nursing policy

Professional Licensure Information: ETSU offers programs that meet Tennessee’s professional licensure or certification requirements; however, these may not meet the requirements in other states or territories. Students who plan to work outside of Tennessee should review ETSU's professional licensure information for details on whether this program’s curriculum meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification in your state.

 

"There's nowhere else I would have chosen to earn my DNP. ETSU's online flexibility allowed me to complete the full-time course of study in just four semesters while working full-time in my local hospital, being a wife, and being a mom to twin boys. The support of my family and instructors greatly contributed to my success. The versatility of this program allowed me to take my classes wherever I needed -- whether that be at the ball field or in the Bahamas. If you have goals, ETSU can help you reach them!"

Lindsey Yoggerst, DNP

Steps to Apply

• Step 1 - Create your ETSU Application Account

  Step 1   Create your ETSU Application Account by choosing the "Sign Up" option

  

• Step 2 - Sign into the ETSU Application Portal

  Step 2  Sign into the ETSU Application Portal and select "Start a New Application"

  

• Step 3 - Complete the Remaining Fields

  Step 3   Choose "Graduate," select your student type (domestic or international), select "Master's," term, then choose  Nursing, DNP and complete the remainder of the form.

  

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Take me to the application portal

Cost

Cost to complete (BSN-DNP): 77-85 credit hours
Cost to complete (MSN-DNP): 32 credit hours

TN Residents	*eRate	Out of State
$672 per credit hour	$835.50 per credit hour	$1,513 per credit hour
- The *eRate applies to students living out of state and taking all web-based courses. - Additional fees may be required. - Visit the Paying for College page to read more about costs and financial aid options. - The costs associated with attending ETSU can include both direct and indirect costs. Please review ETSU's Cost of Attendance for more details.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why should students pursue this program at ETSU? 

  The faculty provide an innovative curriculum with state-of-the-art learning technologies. ETSU provides graduate programs with online courses led by accomplished, dedicated faculty who are committed to excellence and to advancing students in their scholarship. 

• What accreditations apply to this program? 

  This program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

• Does a student's undergraduate degree have to be related to this field? 

  DNP applicants must have a BSN, MSN, or be a registered nurse with a non-nursing master’s degree. Students with a MSN and certification in one concentration who wish to pursue a DNP in the same concentration can complete the program of study in 4 semesters. Students who change concentrations will have to take additional courses. Factors given consideration in the admission decision include: previous grade point average (GPA), applicant's writing sample and interview, writing ability, professional work experience and achievements, professional honors and awards, and interest in rural and underserved population groups.

  A full list of admissions requirements can be viewed in the academic catalog.

• Does this program require the GRE?

  The GRE is not required.

• Are the courses for this program asynchronous or synchronous?

  Coursework is delivered in an online asynchronous format. However, a 2-3 day intensive will be held at the beginning of each semester. These intensives may be completed in-person or via Zoom. Since nursing is a practice profession, there are clinical requirements. 

• Does the department help with clinical placement? 

  Yes, the graduate clinical coordinator has many contacts to help students with clinical placement. However, the student is responsible to be proactive in the search for placement. 

• What is the time to complete for full-time students?

  • BSN-DNP Full-time students: 9 semesters
  • MSN-DNP Full-time students: 4 semesters*

  *Students enrolling in an MSN-DNP concentration that is different from their MSN degree will have an individualized plan of study.

• What is the time to complete for part-time students?

  • BSN-DNP Part-time students: 15 semesters 
  • MSN-DNP Part-time students: 7 semesters*

  *Students enrolling in an MSN-DNP concentration that is different from their MSN degree will have an individualized plan of study.

• Are scholarships available?

  Yes, please visit the Nursing Scholarships page for more details. Students are also encouraged to visit the Paying for Graduate School website for information regarding ETSU graduate scholarships and other financial resources.