BSN to DNP Pathway

APU’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program uses an evidence-based clinical approach that prepares nurses at the highest level of practice for the current, complex healthcare environment.

The BSN to DNP pathway allows RNs with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing to enter directly into the DNP program without first earning an MSN degree. This allows for a seamless progression from the completion of a baccalaureate degree to advanced nursing practice. The BSN to DNP pathway includes two specialty tracks: Advanced Practice Registered Nursing (APRN)–Adult Geronotology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) or Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), and Health Systems Leadership. The pathway meets the program learning outcomes for the DNP degree at APU and is aligned with The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education (AACN, 2021)1

1

American Association of Colleges of Nursing (2021). The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Education. AACN.

APRN-AGPCNP or FNP Options

APRN Core Courses10
GNRS 610Advanced Pathophysiology3
GNRS 611Advanced Pharmacology3
GNRS 612Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning 14 (3/1)
FNP and AGPCNP Common Core26
GNRS 600Nurse Practitioner Clinical Experience 22-6
GNRS 601Primary Healthcare I: Adult and Aging3
GNRS 602Primary Healthcare II: Population-based Health Interventions3
GNRS 603Primary Healthcare III: Restorative and Palliative Interventions3
APRN-FNP Specialty Courses 32-3
GNRS 590DPrimary Health Care of the Young Family2-3
or GNRS 580 Gerontology
APRN Intensives4
GNRS 615APRN Intensive I1
GNRS 616APRN Intensive II1
GNRS 617APRN Intensive III1
GNRS 618APRN Intensive IV1
Role-Specific Total Units42-43
Additional DNP Courses21
GNRS 703Spirituality and Health3
GNRS 705Social Ethics and Health Policy3
GNRS 712Healthcare Quality Improvement, Program Planning, and Evaluation3
GNRS 713Advanced Statistical Analysis I3
GNRS 716Translation of Research to Practice3
GNRS 717Health Technology and Informatics3
GNRS 718Organizational Leadership and Strategic Planning3
GNRS 732DNP Clinical Residency 40
Intensives4
GNRS 791Doctor of Nursing Practice Intensive I1
GNRS 792Doctor of Nursing Practice Intensive II1
GNRS 793Doctor of Nursing Practice Intensive III1
GNRS 794Doctor of Nursing Practice Intensive IV1
Doctoral Seminars5
GNRS 780Doctoral Seminar I: Elements of a Proposal and IRB Application3
GNRS 736DNP Scholarly Project Seminar: Evaluation and Dissemination2
TOTAL BSN to DNP PATHWAY UNITS72-73
DNP Clinical Residency Hours 4
NFLP Options 5
GNRS 660Theories of Teaching and Instruction3
GNRS 661Leadership and Role Development in Nursing Education3
GNRS 662Assessment, Curriculum, Development, and Outcomes3
GNRS 663Clinical Practicum in Nursing Education3
GNRS 664Teaching and Learning Strategies for Nursing Education3

Health Systems Leadership Option

Leadership Courses
GNRS 613Graduate Statistics3
LDRS 512EQ I: Self-Leadership3
MGMT 502Developing Management Skills3
GNRS 560Strategic Leadership in Health Care3
GNRS 568Healthcare Finance4
GNRS XXX Elective Course3
MGMT 516High-Performance People Management3
MGMT 561Managing Teams and Conflict3
MHA 571Integrative Theories of Innovation in Health Care (Total Units)3
Leadership Total Units28
DNP Courses
GNRS 703Spirituality and Health3
GNRS 705Social Ethics and Health Policy3
GNRS 712Healthcare Quality Improvement, Program Planning, and Evaluation3
GNRS 713Advanced Statistical Analysis I3
GNRS 716Translation of Research to Practice3
GNRS 717Health Technology and Informatics3
GNRS 718Organizational Leadership and Strategic Planning3
GNRS 720Wellness Promotion and Health Maintenance3
GNRS 721Health Disparities and Vulnerable Populations3
GNRS 729Population Health and Epidemiology3
GNRS 732DNP Clinical Residency0
Intensives
GNRS 791Doctor of Nursing Practice Intensive I1
GNRS 792Doctor of Nursing Practice Intensive II1
GNRS 793Doctor of Nursing Practice Intensive III1
GNRS 794Doctor of Nursing Practice Intensive IV1
Doctoral Seminars
GNRS 780Doctoral Seminar I: Elements of a Proposal and IRB Application3
GNRS 736DNP Scholarly Project Seminar: Evaluation and Dissemination2
DNP Total Units 39
TOTAL BSN to DNP PATHWAY UNITS67
DNP Clinical Residency Hours 4
NFLP Courses 5
GNRS 660Theories of Teaching and Instruction3
GNRS 661Leadership and Role Development in Nursing Education3
GNRS 662Assessment, Curriculum, Development, and Outcomes3
GNRS 663Clinical Practicum in Nursing Education3
GNRS 664Teaching and Learning Strategies for Nursing Education3
Elective Options 6
GNRS 650History of Professional Nursing: From Origins to Nursing in Transition3
GNRS 651History of Professional Nursing: From Colonial Times to Present Day3
GNRS 704Faith Integration and Nursing Scholarship3
GNRS 715Psychosocial Issues of Older Adults3
GNRS 722Research in Nursing and Health3
GNRS 730Comparative Health Care Systems3
GNRS 781Doctoral Seminar II: Developing a Grant Proposal3
GNRS 782Doctoral Seminar III: Writing for Publication3
GNRS 783Doctoral Seminar IV: Developing Professional Presentations3
GNRS 795Special Topics1-4
1

Units in parentheses are classroom/clinical units.

2

Students may enroll in 2-6 clinical units per semester with faculty approval, with a total of 17 units for the program.

3

Students in the FNP track must take GNRS 590D. Students in the AGPCNP track must take GNRS 580.

4

Total required DNP clinical hours = 1,000 hours.

5

12 units required if enrolled in Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP).

6

Electives may be taken in either pathway option where appropriate.