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Doctor of Nursing Practice (Post-MSN DNP)

School of Nursing

College of Health Sciences

Doctor of Nursing Practice (Post-MSN DNP)

School of Nursing

College of Health Sciences

Online

Program

32 - 38 Credit Hours

to Graduate

Online Tuition Rate

$716 Per Credit Hour

Free Books

for All Students

Become an Innovative Leader in the Nursing Field

EKU’s online doctor of nursing practice (DNP) with a concentration in Organizational Leadership, prepares students to innovate, lead change, and improve health outcomes for patients and populations. Unlike a research focused degree, EKU’s respected program is practice focused. It equips students with the tools they need and guides them through real-world implementation and evaluation of evidence-based practice improvements.

Contact an enrollment advisor to determine eligibility.

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Career Outlook

The EKU DNP Degree prepares nurses for the highest levels of practice. Practice, as defined by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), may include, but is not limited to, direct patient care, organizational leadership, policy development, and other essential nursing roles. Career opportunities include nurse executive, clinical nursing management, health systems leadership, quality improvement coordinator, nursing care coordination, nurse practitioner, and health systems policy development.

Employment of nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists and nurse midwives is projected to grow 45 percent before 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.

– U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

EKU nursing graduates are prepared to practice nursing and take on leadership roles in a variety of settings including:

Job Titles Include:

  • Hospitals
  • Community health and mental health agencies
  • Industrial health centers
  • Nursing homes
  • Family planning centers
  • Crisis care centers

DNP graduates are prepared to take on leadership positions and serve as change agents in a variety of settings.

Employers Include:

  • Physicians Regional Healthcare System
  • UK HealthCare
  • Industrial health centers
  • UF Health/Halifax Medical Center of Deltona
  • UW Health

The Office of Academic and Career Services is a one-stop shop for all your career and professional development needs.

Services Include:

  • Creating/updating your resume and cover letter
  • Interviewing tips and coaching
  • Career documents review
  • Job search

Why EKU?

  • Free textbooks through EKU BookSmart
  • No application fee
  • Accelerated 8-week terms
  • No campus visits required
  • Individualized mentorship for your DNP project and your future career success
  • Personalized advising from application through graduation
  • DNP projects that can be completed in your organization or community
  • Faculty trained in evidence-based practice who follow nationally-recognized standards for best practices in online learning
  • Ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the top 50 best online graduate nursing programs in the country

The baccalaureate degree, master’s degree, Doctor of Nursing Practice, and post-graduate APRN certificate programs at Eastern Kentucky University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

Curriculum & Enrollment

EKU’s DNP curriculum is nationally accredited and centered on evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and organizational leadership. It meets the needs of nurses in a variety of settings who desire to practice at the highest level. The program culminates in a DNP project in which students address a specific healthcare problem and implement practice changes that improve health care delivery and outcomes.

A minimum of 32-38 credits are required to graduate.

View the degree requirements:

EKU Academic Catalog

Please review the admissions requirements before applying for this or any program. If you have questions about the program or are planning to register for classes, please speak to the program advisor.

Students wishing to transfer nursing courses from another accredited nursing program must have a minimum grade equivalent of a 2.0 or the program’s passing grade in any nursing or support course.

TermApplication
Deadline		Classes
Begin
Fall AJuly 1August
Fall BAugust 15October
SpringNovember 1January
SummerMarch 15May

Part I: Apply to EKU

Professional References – Within the application, you will be prompted to enter email addresses for three professional references. An electronic reference form will be emailed to each reference upon entry.

Resume – Provide a copy of your resume or curriculum vitae

Doctor of Nursing Practice Professional Statement – Write a statement that is no more than 750 words in length and addresses the following points:

  • Discuss your professional goals as a DNP graduate.
  • Describe your understanding of the role of the DNP-prepared nurse.
  • Discuss your experience with online learning and how you will assure that you are successful in the online DNP program.
  • Brief description of a health or health care delivery problem with a proposed improvement project.

Once your resume and professional statement are complete, you can submit them within the online application or e-mail them to the EKU Graduate School at graduateschool@eku.edu.

Part II: Send Documents

Contact any and all colleges or universities that you have attended and request that your transcripts be sent directly to EKU at the address below. Most schools have an online request form for this service. Transcripts sent to a student and then delivered to EKU will not be accepted. Each transcript must bear the original signature of the authorized official, along with the seal of the institution, and must be sent to EKU directly from the issuing institution. Transcripts are not required for courses taken at EKU.

Send verification of your current RN license, if applicable, your APRN license, and all transcripts to the EKU Graduate School at:

EKU Graduate School
310 Whitlock Building CPO 68
521 Lancaster Avenue
Richmond, KY 40475
graduateschool@eku.edu

State authorization restrictions may apply. Please visit EKU’s state authorization page for current information.

  • Master’s degree in nursing from a nationally accredited program.
  • RN license from an approved state that is free and unrestricted, meaning that it has not been subject to reprimand, revocation, probation, suspension, restriction, limitation, disciplinary action, discretionary review/hearing or encumbrance nor had any type of complaint filed against it.
    Graduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  • Graduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  • If applicable, APRN license from an approved state that is free and unrestricted, meaning that it has not been subject to reprimand, revocation, probation, suspension, restriction, limitation, disciplinary action, discretionary review/hearing or encumbrance nor had any type of complaint filed against it.

Admission is competitive. Selection is based on careful consideration of all application materials, including but not limited to academic transcripts, the applicant’s Doctor of Nursing Practice Professional Statement, three required professional references, and professional work experience. In addition to the criteria listed, an interview may be requested. The Doctor of Nursing Practice Professional Statement will be evaluated for writing skills and content, both of which are heavily weighted in the admission process.

Enrolling & Advising Information

EKU’s College of Health Sciences is committed to delivering high-quality enrollment and academic advising for our students. We strive to create an atmosphere of mutual trust and meaningful engagement to help students reach their academic goals and have a rewarding educational experience.

Interested in enrolling? Reach out to our enrollment advisor today.

professional photo of hayley anders

Hayley Anders

Enrollment Advisor

859-622-8222
Hayley.Anders@eku.edu

Schedule an Appointment
CHS Advising Information for Current Students

Additional Contact Info

Admissions: 859-622-2106
Academic Testing: 859-622-1281
Big E Central (Financial Aid & Student Account Services): 859-622-2361
Military & Veterans Affairs Office: 859-622-2345

Student Stories & Features

Kim Kenney

Kim Kenney

EKU Doctorate of Nursing Practice Student
The EKU Online faculty has been very supportive. Their goal is to make sure we are successful in our pursuit of the DNP. They assist, but appropriately challenge the student to expand on base knowledge and improve the learning experience.
Judith L. Poe

Judith L. Poe

EKU Doctorate of Nursing Practice Student
This degree allowed me to apply for positions for which prior to this achievement I would have been overlooked. I appreciated the flexibility the program provided to work full time and pursue my terminal degree.

Gail A. Reichert

EKU Doctorate of Nursing Practice Student
I enjoyed connecting with fellow nurses, and meeting Dr. Bradshaw, who is a brilliant, innovative nurse and educator, a fellow military officer, and a wonderful mentor during my time at EKU. I enjoyed the discussion boards and learning from others in regards to different perspectives on many topics related to nursing, especially, the underserved.

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Contact Information

School of Nursing

521 Lancaster Ave
Rowlett 223
Richmond, KY 40475

859-622-1827
Fax: 859-622-1972
nursing@eku.edu

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