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)–Family Nurse Practitioner, 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-FNP Option

APRN Core Courses
GNRS 512Advanced Health Assessment and Health Promotion (3 units Lecture/1 unit Lab)4
GNRS 513Advanced Nursing Practice Role2
GNRS 515Advanced Pathophysiology3
GNRS 594Pharmacology in Advanced Practice Nursing3
APRN-FNP Specialty Courses
GNRS 590APrimary Health Care of the Young Family6
GNRS 591Primary Health Care of the Childbearing Family (2 units Lecture/2 units Practicum)4
GNRS 592APrimary Health Care of the Adult and Aging Family (3 units Lecture/3 units Practicum)6
GNRS 592BPrimary Health Care Clinical Practicum2
GNRS 593Psychosocial Primary Health Care of the Adult and Aging Family (2 units Lecture/2 units Practicum )4
or GNRS 589 Adolescent Health Care
Other Courses
GNRS 613Graduate Statistics3
Role-Specific Total Units37
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 729Population Health and Epidemiology3
GNRS 732DNP Clinical Residency 10
GNRS XXX Elective Course3
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 Units39
TOTAL BSN to DNP PATHWAY UNITS76
DNP Clinical Residency Hours 1
NFLP Options 2
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 1
NFLP Courses 2
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 3
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

Total required DNP clinical hours = 1,000 hours.

2

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

3

Electives may be taken in either pathway option. 

Program Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this program shall be able to:
  1. Utilize nursing, bioethical, physical, spiritual, psychosocial, and organizational sciences in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of advanced clinical nursing practice.
  2. Provide transformative and collaborative leadership in the organization and management of health care delivery systems for ethnically and culturally diverse populations to improve patient and population outcomes.
  3. Critically examine, develop and translate research and other evidence as a basis for developing, implementing, and evaluating advanced clinical nursing practice and health care delivery.
  4. Employ current technological and informational advances from health care and other disciplines to promote the highest level of health care delivery.
  5. Actively participate in evaluating, formulating and implementing health care policies that address health disparities and health care from a social justice and ethical framework.
  6. Integrate faith traditions and Christian values in the development of professional and advanced nursing practice.