University of Michigan - Flint

The University of Michigan-Flint’s School of Health Professions and Studies offers the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), which provides the skills necessary for advanced nursing practice in primary health care. This part-time program is taught in a distance-learning (online) format with minimal campus visits required (approximately once per year). It is available in two degree tracks: BSN to DNP, and MSN to DNP.

BSN to DNP

• Intended for Bachelor-prepared RN's who wish to pursue the DNP
• Clinical courses are arranged in your local area
• Typical completion time is 4 years
• Minimum 80-82 credit hours required
• Three concentrations are available: Adult Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Adult Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

MSN to DNP

• Intended for Master's-prepared nurses who are already Certified Nurse Practitioners, Nurse Midwives, Clinical Nurse Specialists, or Registered Nurse Anesthetists.
• Clinical courses are arranged in your local area
• Typical completion time is 2-4 years
• Minimum 36 credit hours required

The nurse practitioner is a unique licensed independent practitioner within the constellation of advanced practice nurses. Nurse practitioners assess and manage both medical and nursing problems in a variety of specialty areas such as family, adult, pediatric, gerontologic, women’s health, school health, occupational health, mental health, emergency, and acute care. Their practice emphasizes health promotion and maintenance, disease prevention and diagnosis, and management of acute and chronic illness. Nurse practitioners serve as primary care providers and consultants for individuals, families, and communities in a variety of ambulatory and inpatient settings. Responsibilities of nurse practitioners include: taking histories; conducting physical examinations; ordering, performing, and interpreting appropriate diagnostic and laboratory tests; prescribing pharmacological agents, treatments, and non-pharmacological therapies for the management of the conditions they diagnose. Teaching and counseling are major components of a nurse practitioner’s role. They also conduct clinical research.