Overview
Dr. John C. Kirchgessner, Program Director
The Doctor of Nursing Practice program (DNP) is an advanced practice clinical doctorate which reflects the evolution and development of professional nursing. The Doctor of Nursing Practice program is conceived with two entrance points. The post-master’s entry point is a two-year program. The post-baccalaureate entry point is a three-and-one-half-year program. Students seeking post-master's admission to the DNP program who hold a master’s degree in nursing must have advanced practice specialization as a nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, certified registered nurse anesthetist, or certified nurse midwife. Students seeking post-baccalaureate admission will be prepared as either a nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist as part of their program.
The Wegmans School of Nursing Doctor of Nursing Practice program is registered by the NYS Education Department and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Criteria for Admission
Candidates for the Doctor of Nursing Practice program should:
- Have earned a GPA of 3.30 in graduate work or a GPA of 3.00 from an undergraduate baccalaureate nursing program for the post-baccalaureate entry.
- Submit official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work.
- Be a graduate of an accredited advanced practice nursing program. An advanced practice nursing program is defined as a nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, certified registered nurse anesthetist, or certified nurse midwife program or, for post-baccalaureate entry, a B.S. degree in nursing from an accredited college or university.
- Have a NYS license as a registered nurse, NYS certificate as an advanced practice nurse, or have eligibility and national professional certification in an APN specialty, if eligible. (Students from other states will need to supply appropriate licensure and certification credentials.)
- Provide proof of immunizations.
- Have a minimum of one full-time year of post-master’s clinical experience or equivalent prior to entering the DNP clinical courses.
- Have earned a "B" grade or higher in a graduate statistics course within the last five years or have earned a master’s degree in nursing within the last five years.
- Currently be practicing as an advanced practice nurse.
The admissions process for the Doctor of Nursing Practice program involves two phases:
Phase #1
Candidates for admission are required to submit:
- Two letters of recommendation from:
- A doctorally prepared academician or a healthcare provider.
- A supervisor in an employment setting.
- A practicing APN familiar with the applicant’s intellectual ability, academic achievement, clinical expertise, and professional commitment.
- Current résumé of no more than five pages.
- Copies of all professional licenses and certifications.
- Writing sample with the application in the form of a one-page essay outlining the reasons for applying to the DNP program and the student’s short-term and long-term goals after finishing the DNP program.
- One professional writing sample of no more than five pages (i.e., position paper, program proposal, analysis of problem, capstone excerpt).
- An on-site writing exercise.
Phase #2
Applicants who meet the requirements will be invited to participate in a formal interview process.