online program
Of Bellarmine students receive financial aid
of Graduates are working or in grad school within 6 months of graduation
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The healthcare field is rapidly changing and healthcare needs leaders. The Doctor of Nursing Practice degree is designed for nurses seeking a terminal degree in nursing practice who are interested in clinical leadership and nurse executive positions. The DNP offers an alternative to research focused doctoral programs (i.e. Ph.D. programs). The Doctor of Nursing Practice at Bellarmine is available as a post-master’s program or as a BSN-DNP.
The curriculum includes courses in research and evidence-based practice, quality improvement and patient safety, clinical informatics, advanced statistics, health care economics and financing, and domestic and global health policy. In addition, all students complete a practice immersion and residency experience, which culminates with the DNP project.
Students who hold an MSN degree may select one of two post-master’s DNP tracks:
Total credit hours for the program range from 35 to 38 hours, depending on the track you select. The program is fully online and is ideal for students with professional or personal obligations during the typical work week. New students will participate in a mandatory technology orientation that may be completed in-person or by recorded video. Most courses will also offer once per-semester optional class meetings which will be available by recorded video as well.
Advanced Nursing Practice Clinical Leadership: The Advanced Nursing Practice (ANP) focus prepares ANPs to function more effectively as a clinical leader in the increasingly complex health care system. Given the expansion of scientific knowledge required for safe nursing practice and the growing focus on the quality of patient care delivery and outcomes, this track provides students with the specialized knowledge and skills needed by today’s practitioner. Students in this track will use their existing understanding of the practice context to document practice trends, identify potential systemic changes, and make improvements in the care of particular patient populations in the systems within which they practice.
Executive Leadership: The Executive Leadership focus prepares students for advanced specialty practice at the population, organizational, and/or system level. Given the increasingly complex health care environment, this track provides students with the specialized knowledge and skills needed by today’s nursing leaders. Students in this track will use their existing understanding of the practice leadership context to identify aggregate health or system needs, work with diverse stakeholders for inter- or intra-organizational achievement of health-related goals, and design patient-centered care delivery systems.
The BSN-DNP track is designed for BSN-prepared graduates seeking doctoral preparation for advanced practice as an organizational leader in a variety of health care settings. Students focus on financial and economic aspects of health care, human and resource management, and organizational leadership.
Given the increasingly complex healthcare environment, this track provides students with the specialized knowledge and skills needed by today’s nursing leaders to identify aggregate health or system needs, work with diverse stakeholders for inter- or intra-organizational achievement of health-related goals, and design patient-centered care delivery systems. Selected clinical, administrative, and evidence-based practice experiences provide the student with the opportunity to function as a nurse administrator within a healthcare organization and/or system.
This program includes a total of 68 credit hours. The program is fully online and is ideal for students with professional or personal obligations during the typical work week. New students will participate in a mandatory technology orientation that may be completed in-person or by recorded video. Most courses will also offer once per-semester optional class meetings which will be available by recorded video as well.
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“I am forever grateful to Bellarmine University for the doctoral education I experienced while obtaining a Doctorate in Nursing Executive Practice. From the moment I reached out for information on the DNP program, Bellarmine faculty and staff were extremely helpful and collaborative. The program is strategically structured and provides the doctoral student with the tool kit to be successful. Bellarmine truly sets the bar for academic excellence and achievement.”
Pamela Missi, DNP '16; Chief Nursing Officer
Here is a quick snapshot of a few of our faculty members. Read profiles of all of our distinguished faculty.
Heather Owens, PhD, RNInterests: Nursing leadership and management; sleep health research; weight-related behavior research
Ta'Neka Vaden Lindsay, DNP, APRN, WHANP-BCInterests: Minority adolescent pregnancy prevention; general women’s health concerns
Linda Mefford, PhD, APRN, NNP-BC, RNC-NCInterests: Nursing theory and philosophy; Levine’s Conservation Model of Nursing; health promotion for preterm and high-risk infants; mind/body/spirit connections in nursing and health; quantitative nursing research; health outcomes research
Admission to DNP program requires approval by the Graduate Nursing Admission, Progression, and Graduation Committee and varies by program track. For a full description, please visit our DNP Admission Requirements page.
The Baccalaureate degree program in nursing, Master's degree program in nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Bellarmine University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)1866 Southern LaneDecatur, Georgia 30033-4097404.679.4500 • fax: 404.679.4556
Bellarmine University cannot confirm whether its courses or programs meet requirements for professional licensure in states other than Kentucky. Prior to enrolling in a Bellarmine program, a student who does not reside in Kentucky should contact applicable licensing board(s) in the student’s home state to determine whether the program meets requirements for licensure in the state where the student resides.
Nursing licensure contacts: https://www.ncsbn.org/contact-bon.htm
Nursing students enjoy many experiences on campus. The Bellarmine Association of Nursing Students (BANS) organizes, represents and mentors nursing students to convey professionalism in nursing practice, promote networking and serve the local community through service projects.
The Galileo Learning Community is designed for first-year students interested in careers in health and medical sciences.
Sigma Theta Tau is an honor society for nursing.
Students also have the opportunity to study abroad.
Nursing students who qualify may participate in the Honors Program at Bellarmine.
Heather Owens, PhD, Assistant Professor and Chair, Graduate Studies in Nursing502.272.8101 or howens@bellarmine.edu
Julie Armstrong-Binnix, Assistant Dean of Graduate Admission502.272.8364, 800.274.4723 x8364 or julieab@bellarmine.edu