Post-Master’s Nursing, D.N.P.

Julie Honey, Dean, College of Nursing
Erin Shankel, Associate Dean of Graduate Nursing
Kathryn Dambrino, Chair, Graduate Nursing
Meg Rowland, Director, Graduate Nursing Practice

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

RNs and APRNs entering with a master’s degree in nursing or another health related field (e.g., MBA, MHA, MPH, etc.) may be eligible for an abbreviated Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program of study that builds upon their master’s foundation to prepare them to lead and improve population health and systems outcomes: 

Post-Master’s DNP Track: Curriculum plans are tailored to the individual student’s unique background and professional experience. Adding a DNP to a master’s degree prepares students for expanded leadership roles, project management and almost any professional advancement opportunity that may present itself in the future. 

The Belmont DNP meets the core competencies for advanced-level nursing practice (“The Essentials”) developed by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). 

Optional Nursing Pedagogy Package for Future Nurse Educators

• Some Doctor of Nursing Practice students may wish to practice as faculty in an academic setting. Belmont offers courses to prepare these students in essential aspects of curriculum development, implementation, revision, and evaluation in healthcare education settings. 
• Doctor of Nursing Practice students awarded the Nurse Faculty Loan Program funding are required to complete 3 or more 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 in the NFLP program are required to sign an approved individualized plan of study which includes the additional 3 or more hours of coursework. 
• Students who are not part of the NFLP program may also opt to add these courses as electives to prepare them as nursing educators.
• Students who complete nine credits of these courses may sit for certification as a Certified Nurse Educator. (These nine credits are not required for students who have already been employed for two years or more in a nursing program in an academic institution within the past five years.)