MS-DNP with Nurse Practitioner Specialty

The MS- DNP with a nurse practitioner specialty entry pathway is designed for nurses with an earned MS degree in nursing who wish to pursue the practice doctorate with a nurse practitioner specialty.  Nurses with an earned MS degree in nursing but who are not eligible for national certification as a nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, nurse anesthetist or clinical nurse specialist may select the MS-DNP entry pathway.  Nurses who wish to add to their advanced practice credentials may also select this entry pathway. 

A MS-DNP student seeking nurse practitioner preparation will receive a broad foundation of educational preparation in advanced care of the selected specialty population, nursing theories and nursing research.  Upon completion of the degree, you will be eligible for certification as a nurse practitioner in Arizona and application for national certification.  

Students admitted to the MS-DNP with a NP specialty begin the program at a 5-day scholar in residence program called RISE (Resident Intensive Summer Experience) in August.  Some required courses will actually begin during RISE just prior to the regular start of the Fall Term.  DNP students who have not taken a graduate statistics course will be required to do so during the first fall semester of the program.  Full-time and part-time options are available. 

Nurse practitioner students may opt for additional preparation for practice in rural areas by enrolling in NURS 579 Issues in Rural Health (3 credits) as an elective and by practicing in a rural setting when enrolling in NURS 693A Clinical Residency. 

MS-DNP with a Nurse Practitioner Specialty Sample Curricula

Nurse practitioner specialties require designated course work to include 1,000 practice immersion hours terminating in a faculty mentored scholarly project (Practice Inquiry).  Below are sample curricula for each specialty. 

• MS-DNP with Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Specialty 
  
  Graduates of the MS-DNP with an AGACNP specialty are prepared as providers of care for acutely ill adults with multiple, complex problems at a beginning level of practice, users of research and beginning researchers.  As a MS-DNP AGACNP student, you will receive a broad foundation of educational preparation in advanced nursing practice with adults and their families, nursing theories and nursing research.  Health assessment, disease prevention, health care maintenance, clinical decision making, and illness management are emphasized in the classroom and clinical practica.  The course of study includes extensive clinical time.  The MS-DNP AGACNP specialty requires up to 71 credits and 1,000 practice immersion hours terminating in a faculty mentored scholarly project (Practice Inquiry).
  
  
• MS-DNP with Family Nurse Practitioner Specialty 
  
  Graduates of the MS-DNP with a FNP specialty are prepared as primary care providers for families at a beginning level of practice, users of research and beginning researchers. As a MS-DNP FNP student, you will receive a broad foundation of educational preparation in advanced nursing practice with families across the life span, nursing theories and nursing research. Health assessment, primary prevention, health care maintenance, clinical decision making, and illness management are emphasized in the classroom and clinical practica. The course of study includes extensive clinical time.  The MS-DNP with a FNP specialty requires up to 71 credits and 1,000 practice immersion hours terminating in a faculty mentored scholarly project (Practice Inquiry).

• MS-DNP with Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Specialty

The College of Nursing offers Pediatric Nurse Practitioner preparation as one of the nurse practitioner specialties.  Graduates of the BSN-DNP with a PNP specialty are registered nurses who have advanced education in pediatric nursing beyond the initial registered nurse preparation.  As a BSN-DNP PNP student, you will receive a broad foundation of educational preparation in advanced nursing practice with children and families by focusing on prevention, health maintenance and education, and diagnosis and management of common acute and chronic health conditions among well and ill children of all ages.  The BSN-DNP with a PNP specialty requires a minimum of 72 credits with 1,000 practice immersion hours terminating in a faculty mentored scholarly project (Practice Inquiry).

 

• MS-DNP with Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Specialty

Graduates of the DNP with a PMHNP specialty are prepared as psychiatric mental health care providers to treat people across the lifespan with psychiatric disorders.  Graduates are prepared at a beginning level of practice, are users of research and beginning researchers. As a BSN-DNP PMHNP student, you will receive a broad foundation of educational preparation in advanced psychiatric and mental health nursing practice across the life span, nursing theories and nursing research. Health assessment, primary prevention, health care maintenance, clinical decision making, and illness management are emphasized in the classroom and clinical practica. The course of study includes extensive clinical time. Graduates will be eligible to take an PMHNP national board certifying examination. The BSN-DNP with a PMHNP specialty requires a minimum of 72 credits with 1,000 practice immersion hours terminating in a faculty mentored scholarly project (Practice Inquiry).

RN Licensure
Enrollment in the DNP program requires a registered nurse licensure .  Admisison is conditional upon the individual obtaining and maintaining the license in active and good standing.

For more information contact:
Office of Student Affairs
College of Nursing, Room 112
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Phone: 520-626-3808 or 1-800-288-6158

Email: advanced@nursing.arizona.edu