Post-Master’s Nursing, D.N.P.

Julie Honey, Dean, College of Nursing
Erin Shankel, Associate Dean of Graduate Nursing

Linda Wofford, Assistant Dean of Nursing Evaluation & Assessment
Kathryn Dambrino, Director, DNP Projects and Practice Experiences
Meg Rowland, Director, FNP Clinical Experiences

Faculty: Steven Busby, Kathryn Dambrino, Jeannie Giese, Laura Gray, Elizabeth Morse, David Phillippi, Meg Rowland, Erin Shankel, Linda Wofford.  

Post-Master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Belmont University’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program prepares nurses for advanced practice roles with the highest level of clinical nursing competence. The DNP is a clinical doctorate serving as a terminal professional degree for nurses in advanced practice and nursing administration.

The program will develop nursing leaders skilled in measurement of patient and population outcomes, education of diverse populations, leadership in health policy development and implementation, translation of evidence into clinical practice, and advocating for safe and quality care within complex healthcare delivery systems. Graduates will attain clinical, organizational and leadership expertise designed to meet the changing demands of the present and future health care system.

The Belmont DNP meets the professional standards for the practice doctorate (Essentials) developed by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).

Graduates of Belmont’s DNP program will be able to:

1. Integrate knowledge from nursing, biophysical, social, analytical, and organizational sciences to develop and transform advanced practice nursing.
2. Translate nursing, biophysical, social, analytical, and organizational knowledge to improve patient and population health outcomes.
3. Manage increasingly complex healthcare system demands by incorporating knowledge of current and emerging health technologies.
4. Provide leadership and advocacy for social justice, equity, and ethical policies in healthcare.
5. Develop, implement and evaluate effective and sustainable educational programs for varying populations.
6. Demonstrate intra- and inter-professional collaboration to improve healthcare quality and outcomes across diverse populations and to address health disparities.

Admission to the Post-Master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program

Minimum Admission Requirements

Belmont’s Inman College of Nursing receives applicants for admission and most applicant credentials for graduate nursing programs exclusively through the Nursing Central Application Service (Nursing CAS). Applications are considered on a rolling basis until all spaces in the entering class of each program are filled.

Candidates are encouraged to begin the application process as soon as possible. Selected candidates will complete an interview with members of the graduate nursing faculty.

Applicants Must:

1. Have earned a Master’s degree in nursing (MSN) from a nationally accredited nursing program or a Master’s degree in a health-related field. This includes (but is not limited to) an MPH, MHI, MHA, or MBA.
2. A minimum 3.5 GPA is preferred. 
3. Applicants who are advanced practice nurses (nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, clinical nurse specialist) will typically hold current national certification.
4. Submit a completed application file (per the Application Steps below).
5. Students accepted into the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program may request graduate course credits from an accredited institution be reviewed for possible substitution for Belmont University course credit. The program department will determine at its sole discretion what course(s) are eligible for transfer toward the student’s program of study. Eligible transfer course work must have at least a grade of “B” in each course. The department may accept up to 20 credit hours of course work toward the graduate degree.

 Applications will be received until a class is filled and will be open until June 1 for fall entry. Candidates are encouraged to begin the application process as soon as possible. 

Application Steps for Post-Master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Applicants

The College of Nursing receives applications for admission and most applicant credentials exclusively through the Nursing Central Application Service (NursingCAS), provided by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). Applicants must submit a separate supplemental application and fee directly to Belmont.

The application steps are as follows:

1. Click the “Apply” link at www.nursingcas.org
2. Create an account and login to your secure NursingCAS online application. When creating your account, be sure to click “Yes” to the question, “Are you applying to a graduate level program in nursing?
3. When logged in, complete all “Required” items on the Application Checklist as directed by NursingCAS.
4. In addition, Belmont University School of Nursing requires the following items also be submitted through NursingCAS (these items are indicated as “Optional” in NursingCAS):
   1. In the Professional Experience Section, submit information for all nursing certifications including such as a nurse practitioner by selecting “Certifications” from the drop-down menu and completing information requested.
   2. In the References Section, submit two (2) letters of recommendation.
   3. In the Personal Statement Section, complete an essay that addresses your professional goals, identification of a topic for your scholarly project should you be admitted to the DNP program, and potential location(s) for project implementation.
5. Be sure to designate Belmont University in the Designations Section of the application and to link your Belmont essay. NursingCAS charges $65 for your application to be sent to the first program designation and $35 for each additional designation.
6. In addition to the NursingCAS application, Belmont University requires a supplemental application and fee ($50). The supplement must currently be submitted in paper form and can be printed from the pdf. Please send the completed supplemental application and $50 fee to Belmont University, Office of Admissions, 1900 Belmont Blvd., Nashville, TN 37212-3757 or fax to 615-460-5434.
7. Following a preliminary review of the completed application file, the Admissions Committee will invite selected applicants to interview prior to final admission decisions.

Post-Admission Requirements

Following acceptance, you will complete the requirements below to register for courses.

1. $500 non-refundable enrollment deposit by a specified deadline after acceptance, applied to first semester tuition
2. Documentation of national certification as a nurse practitioner, as requested
3. Final official transcript of MSN degree sent directly to Belmont University
4. A background check, as directed by the School of Nursing, with favorable results
5. Required immunizations
6. Proof of health insurance coverage
7. Program orientation

If these requirements are not satisfied, admission to the program may be rescinded.

International Applicants

1. International applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in the English language by submitting official TOEFL scores (required minimum of 550 PBT or 80 iBT) or by successful completion of ELS Language Center Level 112.
2. International applicants with college level course work from foreign institutions must have their transcripts evaluated by a credential evaluation service such as World Education Services (www.wes.org) or Joseph Silny & Associates (www.jsilny.com).
3. In order to be issued an I-20 for the desired entry term, international applicants must be admitted no later than June 1 in order to begin enrollment in the fall.

Questions

Questions about your application and/or requirements should be directed to:
Belmont University
Graduate Nursing Programs
1900 Belmont Blvd.
Nashville, TN 37212-3757
615-460-6130 Phone
gradnursing@belmont.edu

The Plan of Study for Nursing Certification for Certified Nurse Educators Add-on

Doctor of Nursing Practice students awarded the Nurse Faculty Loan Program funding are required to complete 3 - 9 hours of coursework as a part of their program of study specifically preparing them to be nurse educators. These courses will prepare students in essential aspects of curriculum development, implementation, revision, and evaluation in healthcare education settings. Students will gain insight into learning theories and activating learning instructional strategies in the classroom, online, and in simulation. Students in the NFLP program are required to submit an approved individualized plan of study which includes the additional 3-9 hours of coursework.