Top Direct-Entry Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Programs

What is a Direct Entry DNP Program? 

A direct-entry doctorate of nursing practice (DNP) is an accelerated advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) program for non-nurses with a bachelor's degree in another field.

There are several benefits of direct-entry DNP programs. For example, for students with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree who wish to continue their education as a DNP, the time and investment to start from scratch may seem daunting. Direct-entry DNP programs help bridge that gap so students can earn their degrees faster without retaking coursework they have already studied.

This article will explain direct-entry DNP programs, what a DNP can do, average income, top programs, and more.

Top Direct-Entry DNP Programs 

There are only a few direct-entry DNP programs available in the US Here are some of our top picks:

1. Boston College

Boston College offers a direct-entry DNP program to help students become advanced nursing leaders in their chosen specialty much faster than taking a more traditional route. 

The program starts with five semesters of full-time, pre-licensure coursework. This part of the curriculum prepares students to take the National Council Licensure Examination-RN (NCLEX-RN). 

This portion of the program also bypasses the bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN) but allows students to earn a “generalist” master of science in nursing (MSN).

The program's second half involves clinical fieldwork in the student's chosen specialty. Students in the direct-entry DNP program and the traditional DNP program take the same classes. 

Additional Program Information:

• Tuition: $1,726 per credit ($184,682 total)
• Program length: Four years
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) 
• Application deadline: December 15
• Requirements:
  • Bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field
  • College grade point average of 3.0 or higher
  • Official transcripts
  • An Application
  • Goal Statement Essay
  • Resume
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Prerequisite courses (grade point average of 3.0 or higher)
  • TOEFL scores are required for students whose native language is other than English

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are usually not required for admission into a direct-entry DNP program. However, they may be included to complement your application.

• Contact Info 
  • Email: csongrad@bc.edu
  • Phone number: 617-552-4928
• Are Online Options Available? No
• Types of direct-entry DNP programs 
  • On-campus direct-entry DNP program

>> Show Me DNP Programs

2. University of Vermont

The University of Vermont's accelerated program also bypasses a BSN, but after students earn their MSN, they are prepared to take the NCLEX exam for RN licensure in Vermont. Out-of-state students can then complete their state's licensure requirements to obtain licensure in that state.

Students must have an active Vermont RN license to progress into a DNP-Primary Care Nurse Practitioner track. Students can choose between two programs:

• Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP), or 
• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

Additional Program Information:

• Tuition 
  • Resident: $678 per credit (Avg. $74, 072 total)
  • Non-resident: $1,130 per credit (Avg. $123,453 total)
• Program length: Four years
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Application deadline: December 1
• Requirements 
  • Application
  • Resume
  • Bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field
  • College grade point average of 3.0 or higher
  • Official transcripts
  • Admissions essay
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Prerequisite courses (grade point average of 3.0 or higher)
  • TOEFL scores are required for students whose native language is other than English
• Contact Info 
  • Email: nursing@uvm.edu
  • Phone number: 802-656-3830
• Are Online Options Available? No 
• Types of direct-entry DNP programs 
  • On-campus direct-entry DNP program

3. Seattle University College of Nursing

Seattle University offers an Advanced Practice Nursing Immersion (APNI) program that gives non-nurses an opportunity to go directly into a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. This 4-year program covers everything from pre-licensure to doctoral study. 

Additional Program Information:

• Tuition 
  • $928 per credit (Avg. $160,080 total)
• Program length: Four years
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Application deadline: December 1
• Requirements 
  • Application
  • Resume
  • College grade point average of 3.0 or higher
  • Admissions essay
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • TOEFL scores are required for students whose native language is other than English
  • Letter of intent
• Contact Info 
  • Email: grad-admissions@seattleu.edu
  • Phone number: 206-220-8010
• Are Online Options Available? Some classes in the program are available online

What to Expect in a Direct-Entry DNP Program

Students can expect to take a wide range of coursework during a direct-entry DNP program. Because these programs combine many years of nursing education into an accelerated program, it may seem like an overwhelming amount to work. 

However, it is crucial to remember that non-accelerated DNP coursework can take up to eight years or longer if completed in a traditional format. 

Students enrolled in a direct-entry DNP program can expect to take courses on the following topics:

• Professional Nursing Issues
• Pharmacology
• The Science of Nursing for Adults (with clinical rotation)
• Pathophysiology
• Complex Nursing Care of Adults
• Mental Health Nursing (with clinical coursework)
• Nursing for Women and Newborns (with clinical coursework)
• Nursing for Children
• Public Health Nursing (with fieldwork)
• Advanced Pathophysiology
• Advanced Pharmacology
• Advanced Health Assessment
• Biostatistics & Epidemiology
• Health & Management of Community Health Issues
• Advanced Neuropharmacology
• Fundamentals of Critical Inquiry in Nursing Practice
• Health Care Ethics, Policy & Politics
• Professional Nursing Role Development
• Health Informatics
• Women-Gendered Health Care
• Health Care Quality in Nursing
• Genetics 
• Primary Care Management of Acute & Common Health Conditions
• Health Care Finance and Organization
• Chronic & Complex Conditions
• Nursing Leadership

What Does a DNP Do?

DNPs generally work in one of two areas:

• Leadership and administration, or
• Advanced Practice Registered Nursing (APRN)

Types of leadership and administrative roles that DNP-prepared nurses can choose to work in include management roles in the hospital, such as chief nursing officer, director of nursing, director of patient care services, or health informatics officer. DNPs can also choose to work in a health policy role within their state. 

APRN-prepared DNPs usually provide direct patient care in one of the following roles:

• Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA): clinicians who deliver anesthesia for surgery, childbirth, or other procedures
• Nurse Practitioner (NP): clinicians who deliver and manage healthcare within various specialties, including:
  • Geriatric NP
  • Family Practice NP
  • Pediatric NP
  • Women’s Health NP
  • Neuro-Trauma NP
  • Emergency Care NP
  • Acute Care NP
  • Neonatal NP
  • Psychiatric-Mental Health NP
• Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM): clinicians who provide women's healthcare before, during, and after childbirth as well as throughout the lifecycle

DNP graduates who enter an APRN role must also sit for an APRN certification exam and a specialty certification exam before they are allowed to practice in the US.

The scope of an APRN's practice is determined by the chosen specialty area and by each state. However, in addition to providing medical care for patients, a DNP role usually includes the following:

• Diagnosing patients 
• Establishing treatment plans
• Prescribe medications
• Order diagnostic blood testing and imaging 
• Providing patient education

Benefits of DNPs in the healthcare environment include providing essential high-quality healthcare, often at a reduced medical cost for patients and healthcare systems. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) reports that patients who use advanced practice nurses as care providers often have lower prescription costs and fewer trips to the hospital. In addition, hospitals also report increased earning profits.

Researching the DNP role in your state is essential to determine if a direct-entry DNP program is right for you.

Here are a few fast facts about DNP programs from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN):

• There are 357 DNP programs in the nation (there are currently only two that are direct-entry DNP programs)
• DNP programs exist in every state
• The number of DNP students and graduates increases every year at a significant rate compared to Ph.D. in nursing programs.

FAQs About Direct-Entry DNP Programs 

• What accreditation is best for DNP? 

  • DNP programs in the US must be accredited by one of the two following accreditation bodies: the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). 

• Is getting a DNP worth it? 

  • A DNP is worth it if nurses want to expand their nursing practice and make significantly more money. Direct-entry DNP programs also help bridge a time gap so that students can earn their degrees faster without retaking coursework they have already studied.

• Will DNP replace MSN? 

  • National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) stated that all NP education would require a DNP degree by 2025. At this time, many NPs practice with an MSN alone. However, other MSN specialties, such as an MSN in nursing administration, will not require a DNP.

• Can a DNP prescribe medication? 

  • Nurse practitioners can prescribe medications in every state in the nation. However, prescribing rules vary between states. Some states allow nurse practitioners to prescribe medications autonomously, while others, such as California, require NPs to write prescriptions under a medical doctor's license.

• Are DNP programs competitive?

  • Yes, DNP programs are highly competitive. These programs require intense commitment and rigorous clinical training. Ensure you understand the time and study commitment before determining if a DNP program suits you.

• How many DNP programs are there in the US? 

  • There are currently 357 accredited DNP programs, with 106 new programs still in the planning stages, according to the AACN.