Doctorate of Nursing Practice

Prospective DNP students are selected for admission based on the candidate's application content, academic record, curriculum of completed required courses, professional nursing licensure, and evaluation forms. Individual student transcripts and writing samples are evaluated by the DNP program director.

Applicants to the Doctor of Nursing Practice program must hold a Master of Science in Nursing or a closely related field. 

Nova Southeastern University offers a PhD in nursing education and an EdD with a specialization in nursing education for MSN prepared nurses seeking doctoral education focusing on nursing education.

Transfer Credits

No more than 6 graduate credits may be transferred into the DNP program from other Ph.D. in nursing or DNP programs. Courses will be evaluated by the program director and the associate dean on an individual basis for credit toward the DNP. Their decision will be final. To be considered for credit, a course must have been taken at an accredited graduate program and be the equivalent of a course offered in the DNP program. The student must have earned a grade of B or higher in the course. Students must submit the syllabus of any course for which they are seeking credit directly to the program director. Additional documentation may be required by the program director before credit may be granted. Only courses completed prior to the matriculation in the DNP program will be considered for transfer credit.

Admission to the DNP program

1. Master of Science in Nursing or a closely related field from a regionally accredited or internationally accredited school.
2. Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from master's degree.
3. Current US registered nurse licensure with no restriction.
4. Two evaluation (reference) forms from individuals (other than relatives) such as academic advisor, professors, clinical or non-clinical supervisors or community associates.
5. A writing sample.
6. Official documentation of all supervised post baccalaureate practice hours from a regionally accredited or internationally accredited school.

See application procedures for full instructions.

Application Procedures 

The Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing participates in the centralized applications service called NursingCAS. NursingCAS is used for document verification, but does not take part in the student selection. You can obtain the NursingCAS application

• Online at www.nursingcas.org
• By calling NursingCas at (617) 612-2880

The deadline to complete and submit the NursingCAS and the NSU applications for Fall admission will be August 1st and for Winter admission the deadline is December 9th. The Office of Admissions works on a rolling basis. Applications are accepted year-round. 

1. Sending supporting documents to NursingCAS.

All official college transcripts from undergraduate, graduate, and professional institutions attended must be sent to NursingCAS directly from the institutions attended.

Send all transcripts to:

NursingCAS
P.O. Box 9201
Watertown, Massachusetts, 02471

Coursework taken at foreign institutions must be evaluated for U.S. institutional equivalence by an approved National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) organization such as one of the services listed below.

World Education Services
Bowling Green Station
P.O. Box 5087
New York, New York 10274-5087
www.wes.org

Josef Silny and Associates
2nd Avenue
(305) 273-1616
(305) 273-1338 fax
www.silny.com

Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.
P.O. Box 514070
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53203-3470
(414) 289-3400
www.ece.org

It is the applicant's responsibility to have this coursework evaluated. An official course-by- course evaluation with a cumulative grade point average must be sent directly from the evaluation service.

• Two evaluations/references must be completed by individuals other than relatives (suggested sources are professors, academic advisers, clinical or nonclinical supervisors or community associates) and sent directly to NursingCAS.
• Submit a writing sample (use APA 6th edition formatting, including headings for each section) directly to NursingCAS. Include the following information in your statement:

Doctor of Nursing Practice

• Discuss Your Professional and Personal Goals Related to the DNP 
• Discuss a Problem or Issue you see in your Professional Practice today that needs to be addressed from a DNP Perspective

      2. Once the NursingCAS application is completed, an applicant needs to complete a NSU application, which is available online. 

      3. Upload official documentation of all supervised, post baccalaureate practice hours from a regionally accredited or internationally accredited school to your NSU Application.

• Documentation must be from the program director of the previous post baccalaureate program and include the following information on university letterhead:
  • date
  • applicant's full name
  • university name and department
  • contact information for follow up, if necessary
  • program director's signature
  • date and title of degree earned
  • specialization earned and total number of preceptor-verified clinical experience hours

1. Implement and evaluate nursing practice, including innovative approaches, based on scientific knowledge.
2. Assume organizational and system leadership in the analysis, delivery, and management of nursing care.
3. Critique and selectively translate science to guide clinical decision making, practice standards, and program development.
4. Appraise and utilize current technologies to advance the quality and accessibility of care.
5. Evaluate and influence healthcare policy and systems.
6. Employ skills in effective communication, collaboration, consultation and leadership to create change that will improve patient and population health outcomes.
7. Demonstrate expertise in developing, implementing and evaluating clinical prevention and population health activities within contemporary society.
8. Assume specialized roles in advanced clinical practice.

Students entering the program without a M.S.N. but have a M.S. in a closely related field (Bridge)

*Students who enter the D.N.P. program without a M.S.N. but have a M.S. in a closely related field will only be allowed to enter the program in August. They will be required to enroll in the bridge course NSG 7299 in the first semester of admission to the program. 

Students entering the program with a M.S.N.

* A student must have 500 clinical hours obtained in their M.S. program and verified by the Program Director prior to starting NSG 7431 Project I. If a student does not have 500 clinical hours to apply from the M.S. program, the student will be enorlled in NSG 7442 Project Matriculation until the 500 hours are met. Each NSG 7442 requires 250 clinical hours and is 2 credits. A student may need to enroll in one or two NSG 7442 courses to meet the required 500 cliniclal hours. in this case, the student total credits will be 38-40 credits. 

D.N.P. graduates are required to complete 1,000 practice hours, post-Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.). Students may be required to complete additional practicum hours in order to meet the 1,000-hour requirement. Students will work with an advisor to plan their individual program of study. Hours from a master's degree credited toward these practice hours must be verified by the university where the student completed the degree. See admissions requirements for instructions on documentation of practice hours.

Other Requirements

• Completion of all program requirements for the degree with a B or higher.
• Minimum of 3.0 GPA
• Completion of all degree requirements within five years;
• Satisfaction of all financial requirements within the university.

Tuition

Tuition for the 2018-2019 academic year (subject to change by the board of trustees without notice) is $918.00 per semester credit hour.

There are a number of Florida and hospital grants available for the Nursing student. Additionally, student loan interest for nursing students is lower than for students seeking other degrees. The Financial Aid Office is eager to assist you to explore all possible financial aid options.

• One Time NSU Application Fee - $50: This fee is non-refundable and is required with each application.
• One Time Acceptance Fee - $500: This fee is required to reserve the accepted applicant's place in the entering first-year class. This advance payment will be deducted from the tuition payment due on registration day, but is not refundable in the event of a withdrawal. It is payable within two weeks of an applicant's acceptance.
• Health Professions Division General Access Fee - $145: may be required each year.
• NSU Student Services Fee - $1,350 -  The student services fee is required annually. The fee is pro-rated for part-time students. (Split between 3 semesters Fall/Winter/Summer)
• Extra Fees - Students will incur additional cost such as; Books, FNSA dues, uniforms, lab coat and Graduation Costs.
• Background Checks: The college pays for the first background check per student any additional background check will be funded by the student.
• All tuition charges and fees are subject to change by the board of trustees without notice.

The first semester's tuition and fees, less than the $200 previously paid (acceptance fee), are due on or before registration day. Tuition for each subsequent semester is due on or before the appropriate registration day. Students will not be admitted until their financial obligations have been met. The financial ability of applicants to complete their education at the college is important because of the limited number of positions available in each class. Applicants should have specific plans for financing 60 semester hours of professional education. This should include tuition, living expenses, books, equipment, and miscellaneous expenses.

Each student is required to carry adequate personal medical and hospital insurance. Students may purchase Student Health Insurance for NSU Students through the University. Students who have adequate personal medical and hospital insurance may waive the Health insurance by filling out the Student Health Insurance Waiver.