Overview
Dr. John C. Kirchgessner, Program Director
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is a rigorous advanced-practice clinical doctorate that 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 DNP program is registered by the New York State 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.) Post-baccalaureate entry students must show evidence of current licensure as a registered professional nurse in New York (copy of the registration certificate from the University of the State of New York Education Department Office of the Professions).
- Provide proof of immunizations.
- Have a minimum of one full-time year of post-master’s clinical experience or equivalent prior to entering into the DNP clinical courses.
- Have earned a "B" grade or higher in a graduate statistics course, 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 the following:
- Two letters of recommendation from:
- A doctorally prepared academician or a health care provider
- A supervisor in an employment setting
- A practicing advanced-practice nurse familiar with the applicant’s intellectual ability, academic achievement, clinical expertise, and professional commitment
- A current résumé of no more than five pages
- Copies of all professional licenses and certifications
- A writing sample in the form of a professional education statement
- Case analysis
Phase 2
Applicants who meet the requirements will be invited to participate in a formal interview process. All applicants will meet with the director of the DNP program. Post-baccalaureate applicants also will meet with the coordinator of their chosen advanced-practice program (primary care family nurse practitioner, adult/gerontology primary care nurse practitioner, adult/gerontology acute care nurse practitioner, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, or adult/gerontology clinical nurse specialist).