Frequently Asked Questions
To help you gather the information you need about the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Lee University, please see below for some of the most commonly asked questions. Contact us at [email protected] or (423) 614-8526 for additional information.
- The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is one of two terminal degrees for the discipline of nursing. It prepares graduates for the highest level of nursing practice, which involves leading change by applying evidence-based research into the clinical setting to improve health outcomes. The other terminal degree option is the PhD, which prepares nurse scholars for careers in research aimed at generating new knowledge.
- All DNP programs require the completion of a scholarly project to address an
- Flexibility of online learning, with both full-time and part-time plans of study available
- Authentic and attentive support from expert faculty
- Assistance with arranging practicum, leadership, and scholarly project experiences in your local geographic area
- Minimal on-campus commitment of yearly intensive sessions focused on student success
- Opportunities to engage with peers and faculty for mentorship and collaboration
- Innovative approaches to rural, global, and disaster healthcare delivery, with integration of a Christian worldview
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP): for applicants with BSN/RN, or MSN without advanced practice certification
- Be equipped to deliver quality advanced nursing care in a variety of settings
- Participate in a unique skill immersion lab in our state-of-the-art simulation lab
- Complete precepted practicum experiences in your local geographic area
- Prepare to sit for national certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Transformational Executive Nursing Leadership (TENL): for applicants with RN license (can enter with BSN or MSN)
- Combine your passion for nursing leadership with business expertise in preparation for advanced nursing leadership positions
- Learn to leverage data to influence organizational decisions and advocate for strategic change to improve outcomes
- Complete mentored leadership experiences in your local geographic area
- Option for students to complete MBA degree with Lee University School of Business in combination with the DNP degree
- Post-Master’s/APRN: for applicants with MSN and APRN certification
- Advance your nursing career to the highest level
- Prepare to lead change in advanced nursing practice, nursing leadership, or nursing education settings
- Complete your DNP degree in six semesters (part-time plan of study)
Yes. You will be on the plan of study for MSN-APN to DNP plan. A student on this plan can complete the program in five semesters.
Yes, you can apply for the Post-Baccalaureate Nursing (BSN) to DNP-FNP plan of study. No, you do not need a master’s degree to apply for this program, as this path takes you straight from the BSN to the DNP-FNP. The FNP track will provide you with an advanced practice nursing education with the ability to take an FNP certification exam.
The plan for the post-master’s in nursing (non-APN) to DNP-FNP.
The DNP-FNP plan provides the opportunity for students to become prepared to take a FNP certification exam following graduation. Students are also granted the DNP degree. As a Lee University School of Nursing graduate who completes the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track, you will be prepared to deliver comprehensive primary health care to individuals across the lifespan with special emphasis on rural and global health, and disaster healthcare management. Lee DNP graduates are prepared to be advanced practice leaders, with emphasis on leadership aimed at improving health outcomes of patients.
DNP-FNP graduates practice across the country and internationally. Employment options include serving as primary care providers in family practice, pediatrics, women’s health, or adult internal medicine. Additional settings include private practices, specialty practices, underserved community settings, outpatient/ambulatory settings, public health clinics, emergency departments, convenient care clinics, healthcare mission field/clinics across the world, and colleges/schools of nursing. The DNP graduate is prepared to function as a practice leader at the highest level.
- The DNP program awards the doctoral degree but does not guarantee that students will obtain certification as a nurse practitioner or licensure as an advanced practice nurse.
- The FNP track prepares graduates to sit for FNP certification through either AANP or ANCC; students may choose which certification exam they wish to take.
- Advanced practice nurse licensure is granted by the board of nursing of the state in which the graduate chooses to practice. Students are responsible for knowing the licensure requirements of their state. Additional information can be found here: https://www.leeuniversity.edu/academics/nursing/dnp/
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track: 72 credits
- Full-time: 9 semesters (spring/summer/fall)
- Part-time: 12 semesters (spring/summer/fall)
- Transformational Executive Nursing Leadership (TENL) track: 55 credits
- Full-time: 7 semesters (spring/summer/fall)
- Part-time: 10 semesters (spring/summer/fall)
- Additional courses required to complete optional MBS
- Post-Masters/APRN: 28 credits
- Part-time option only: 6 semesters (spring/summer/fall)
- Lee University enrolls DNP students every fall.
- Yes, we accept and process applications at any time.
- The priority deadline is April 15 of each year, with a final deadline of June 1 for fall enrollment.
Post-Baccalaureate Nursing (BSN) to DNP-FNP Full-time: 3 calendar years Part-time: 4 calendar years Post-Master’s Nursing (non-APN) to DNP-FNP *Full-time: 3 calendar years *Part-time: 4 calendar years *Time varies and is dependent upon courses transferred from MSN program. It also depends upon course availability for entering semester.
- We review all transcripts and will offer transfer credit for graduate-level courses (maximum of 9 credits) on a case-by-case basis.
- Yes, the FNP track and the TENL track each have a dedicated coordinator who assists with negotiating practicum and leadership experiences in the student’s local geographic area.
Hybrid; this is a combination of online and on-campus course experiences. Students are required to attend specific on-campus “Intensives” (see below) while the majority of the courses are delivered online (most classes are asynchronous with select courses using minimal synchronous class occurrences). Site of practicum/scholarly project experiences will be determined and secured through a collaborative endeavor between faculty and student. Students will engage in practicum/scholarly project experiences in the state in which they are licensed. *Please note that some states will not allow students to complete programming outside of the students’ current state (the SON will advise you during the application process if this is the situation). The SON is committed to ensuring that quality practicum/scholarly project sites and supervision is obtained.
On-campus “Intensives” are annually, required scheduled time for students to come to campus for 2-4 days each calendar year during the program. Intensives allow for focused time for program and scholarly project orientation. Additionally, the Intensives provide time for select skills to be addressed, practiced, and achieved. Students will also meet program faculty and student colleagues, which is crucial for support and encouragement throughout the program journey. Students on the Post-Baccalaureate (BSN) to DNP-FNP and the Post-Master’s (MSN, non-APN) to DNP-FNP plan of study will have 2-4 day intensives each year.
- The majority of DNP coursework is delivered online via weekly modules on a learning platform called Moodle.
- Most courses include at least 1-2 synchronous virtual sessions each semester.
- Students in the FNP track attend a 3-day on-campus skills lab immersion during the semester prior to beginning practicum.
- All DNP students are required to attend yearly on-campus Intensives sessions, which are focused on student success, collaboration with peers and faculty, and skill-building.
- Students complete practicum requirements (FNP track), leadership requirements (TENL track), and scholarly project requirements (all tracks) in their local geographic area. *Please note that some states restrict distance education. Contact your state board of nursing and/or board of education for additional information.
The DNP student engages in a scholarly endeavor that is aimed at contributing to improved practice and health outcomes, with an emphasis on the translation of new science, including application and evaluation. Details of the Project can be found in the SON DNP Student Handbook. In all phases of the Project, students will have significant support from the SON Graduate Faculty and the students’ Project Team.
FNP graduates are eligible to sit for the Family Nurse Practitioner Certification exams administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.
- Tuition and fee information can be found under the “Discounts” at this link: Lee University Online Tuition
- Scholarship awards are given to eligible incoming DNP students each year. Contact the DNP Program office ([email protected]) for more information.
- DNP students learn and apply the principles of translational research through the design, implementation, and dissemination of a scholarly project that addresses an identified issue affecting healthcare and patient outcomes.
- Developing and conducting the scholarly project is embedded in the DNP coursework, and students receive academic credit for completing the project.
- Students are matched with a faculty advisor who provides guidance and support throughout the scholarly project process.
School of Nursing
PO Box 3450 Cleveland, TN 37320-3450 (423) 614-8526 [email protected] Hours: |