Online Doctorate Nursing Practice

The changing demands of this nation's complex healthcare environment require the highest level of scientific knowledge and practice expertise to assure quality patient outcomes, and DNP graduates have an edge in the job market, as employers are quickly recognizing the unique contributions of these expert nurses. According to a 2015 Medscape salary report, doctoral prepared nurses earned $9,000 more than their master’s prepared colleagues.

Graduates of this program will be able to facilitate the application and integration of research into clinical practice using innovative approaches across multiple settings to improve healthcare outcomes of culturally and linguistically diverse patients, and healthcare systems in South Florida as we move forward in a dynamic, diverse environment. Nurses with a completed Master's degree or Post Master's certificate in an Advanced Practice Nursing specialty role (e.g. AGNP, PNP, FNP, CRNA, CNM, CNS, etc.), as well as an advanced practice certification in their degree specialty, are eligible for admission to this clinical doctoral completion program.

The program's convenient online courses will easily fit into the busy schedule of the working professional nurse and may include up to three (3) on-campus class sessions per semester, scheduled with sufficient time for students to make schedule arrangements.

The DNP program also offers opportunity for inter-professional collaboration in the new FIU Academic Health Center. Our interactive technology enables you to watch lectures, get valuable feedback from expert nursing faculty and collaborate with classmate on projects.

The DNP is a program of graduate doctoral study which builds upon the student's advanced practice clinical specialization, providing an education that focuses on: scholarship in the practice setting; innovation and testing of care delivery models; practice quality improvement; examination of healthcare outcomes; proficiency in establishing clinical excellence; etc.

Because the DNP prepares students to integrate applied scholarship and evaluate clinical outcomes, graduates are also able to accomplish a variety of goals in clinical practice, depending on their doctoral focus: translate research into practice; evaluate and analyze practice data; improve the reliability of healthcare practice and outcomes; participate in research; use information systems to support and improve patient care, quality, and system organization; design, influence, and implement healthcare policy options; assess illnesses; design and implement interventions based on nursing science; and demonstrate advanced levels of clinical judgment and evidence-based care. 

The goals of the DNP program are to prepare nurses for leadership roles in a specialized area of advanced nursing practice with an emphasis on:

• Philosophical, ethical, and scientific principles that provide the foundation for leadership in professional nursing care
• Continued acquisition of knowledge and clinical skills in an area of advanced practice specialization
• Leadership and clinical expertise in healthcare delivery, evaluation, quality improvement and advanced practice nursing education

Accreditation

The Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Florida International University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), ( http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

The DNP program of study consists of 36 credits in online coursework, along with a clinical residency within the student's advanced practice specialty, and completion of a capstone project.

Program Curriculum

The Program Curriculum is also offered in a part-time format upon request and approval.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) – Post MSN Program of Study

To ensure every student’s success, we have certain admissions requirements for each of our programs. To help you through the application process, our admissions advisors are here to answer your questions and guide you every step of the way.

Program Eligibility Requirements

• Completed Master’s degree or Post Graduate Certificate in Advanced Practice Nursing specialty role (e.g. AGNP, PNP, FNP, CRNA, CNM, CNS, etc.) from an accredited institution with minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25
• Graduates of foreign programs may need to complete the TOEFL exam with a minimum score as required by FIU Graduate School (within past 5 years)
• Proof of current Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) licensure in your state of residence
• Proof of APRN Specialty Certification
• Completed NursingCAS DNP Program Application by submitting required supplemental items including:
  • Official Transcripts from ALL SCHOOLS attended for college credit
  • Essay (500 words) addressing desired focus and areas of interest for practice in DNP program
  • Three (3) professional recommendations describing ability to be successful in a DNP program
  • Curriculum Vitae
• Complete FIU Supplemental Application
• Successful personal Interview with DNP admissions committee

How to Apply

STEP 1 – Complete NursingCAS.org Application submitting all required supplemental items  by the deadline: May 1 ^st-August 1 ^st for a Spring/January start or  Dec 1 ^st– March 1 ^st   for a Fall/August start .

• Graduates  with foreign BSN credentials must submit via NursingCAS a Professional Transcript Evaluation with U.S. Equivalent Grades, Credits & GPA from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services

STEP 2 – Submit payment of FIU Graduate Application Fee ($30) once NursingCAS Application has been submitted 

• Comply with all Graduate School Requirements such as:
  • Official transcripts (hard copy/electronic) from all schools attended for college credit (Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's degrees and/or certificates)
  • Graduates of foreign BSN programs may need to complete the TOEFL exam with a minimum score as required by FIU Graduate School (within past 5 years)
  • Graduates with foreign BSN credentials must submit Official Transcript Translation (if applicable); Original official transcripts (In sealed envelope) and Official diploma (In sealed envelope)

STEP 3 – Attend Professional Interview

• Following a review of all completed applications a select number of applicants will be invited to participate in a panel interview 

Ways to Submit Transcripts to FIU from STEP 2

Electronic

• Faster (All Florida public institutions)
• Naviance (Typically used by private high schools)
• SMART/Joint Service Transcript (military records)
• Parchment
• Credentials eScrip-Safe

Hardcopy - Snail Mail

Transcripts sent directly from your previous college/university in a sealed envelope (for master's, doctoral and specialist applicants) should be sent to:

Florida International University 
Graduate Admissions
P.O. Box 659004 
Miami, FL 33265-9004

Dismissal Policy

• To remain in good academic standing students must achieve a grade of B /85% or higher in all courses. Students who have failed ( B(-) /84% or less) two courses or have two failures in the same course will be dismissed from the program
• Dismissed students must wait 1 full academic year before reapplying

Re-Admission Requirements

Once admitted, students are to remain continuously enrolled at FIU, taking the courses listed in their signed plan of study. Student’s ability to progress in the curriculum is dependent upon the student’s ability to follow this schedule. Please be aware that some courses are only taught once each year and many have pre-requisites.

Students reapplying to the DNP program must meet the University and program regulations in effect at the time of re-admission, including program GPA and Nursing Program accreditation requirements. When seeking readmission, a returning student must speak with a NWCNHS admissions advisor to determine how/if their previous coursework will fit within the current curriculum requirements in effect at the time of readmission.

Students may be required to repeat and/or take additional courses to complete degree requirements. 

Clinical Placement Requirements

ALL DNP students, including FIU alumni, are required to complete a criminal background check, employment verification, fingerprint search, required health information and drug testing, prior to being matriculated and/or placement in the clinical setting.

Progression in the DNP requires supervised and precepted experience in clinical settings. Students admitted to the DNP are advised that traveling to clinical sites for these experiences is required (student’s responsibility/expense). Note that you will need to complete a total of 540 clinical hours while in this program and this is a graduation requirement. Inability to complete clinical hours will result in your progress in the curriculum to be delayed.

Some states’ BON do not allow students who are enrolled in out-of-state programs to complete clinical hours in their state’s sites. If you are an out-of-state applicant, it is your responsibility to contact your state’s BON to determine whether or not you may complete your clinical hours there, while attending an out-of-state DNP program.

Program Completion Requirements

Tuition Information

Pursuing your degree is one of the best investments you can make — one that will open doors to personal and professional opportunities. Our tuition costs represent some of the best value in higher education, and we also offer financial aid support you need to reach your goals. Please see below FIU-1101: Tuition Fees Schedule. http://regulations.fiu.edu/regulation=FIU-1101

Please, follow link below to meet FIU’s Graduate Nursing Program Faculty and Staff

https://cnhs.fiu.edu/academics/nursing/graduate-nursing/faculty-staff/index.html