Frequently Asked Questions
To help you gather the information you need about the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Lee, please see below for some of the most commonly asked questions.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is one of two terminal degrees for the discipline of nursing. It is the preferred option for those seeking preparation at the highest level of nursing practice. The other terminal degree option is the PhD, which represents the highest level of education preparation for a career aimed at research and the scholarship of discovery.
- Extraordinary commitment to mentor students toward success
- Engaging and innovative online coursework
- Evidence-based curriculum
- Focus on rural and global populations
- Emphasis on practice leadership with interactive tele-health using latest robotic technology
- Preparation for disaster preparation and response from an advanced practice perspective
- SON dedicated to collaborating with students for quality practicum and scholarly project experiences
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.
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.
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 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.
School of Nursing
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