What Sets UM-Flint's Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program Apart?
Widely recognized and respected for the quality of its graduates, the Doctor in Nursing Practice program at UM-Flint prepares you to become a highly-skilled nurse practitioner equipped to provide exceptional health care, and to be a leader capable of navigating today’s complex healthcare environment. The DNP will equip you with the skills necessary for advanced nursing practice in primary health care. It is available in two degree tracks:
BSN to DNP
This degree track is designed for registered nurses with a bachelor’s degree in nursing who are looking to move into a leadership role within a clinical practice. Full-time and part-time options are available, requiring 67-78 credit hours. The part-time option is perfect for working RNs and new graduates. Students pursuing the BSN to DNP also have the opportunity to choose from a range of available concentrations including:
• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (additional details here)
• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (additional information here)
*Students enrolled in these concentrations are required to complete clinical hours (varies depending on concentration).
MSN to DNP
This degree track is designed for registered nurses with a master’s degree in nursing who are already Certified Nurse Practitioners, Nurse Midwives, Clinical Nurse Specialists, or Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists. This program ranges from 28-31 credit hours. Certified Nurse Practitioners can also consider the option to complete a Post-Graduate Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, or Nurse Educator.
ALTERNATE PATHWAY TO DNP
The DNP program at UM-Flint also offers an alternate admission path for practicing registered nurses that have completed bachelor’s degrees in other areas outside the nursing field:
RN-DNP (with non-nursing bachelor's degree)
FLEXIBILITY
This program is taught in a distance-learning (online) format with minimal campus visits (3-6/year; (less for MSN to DNP students)). In addition, practicum courses require clinical site visits that are determined by the clinical instructor. Clinical courses are arranged in your area, so it is convenient for you to gain practical experience. Furthermore, UM-Flint Nursing faculty make themselves available to students outside the normal class schedule with flexible office hours and online availability. (Students in the FNP and the Psychiatric Mental Health concentrations are required to complete clinical hours for children, adolescents, and adults.)
Student Testimonial
Listen to what one our students has to say about the DNP program:
PREPARED FOR TODAY’S HEALTH CARE WORLD
As a nurse practitioner you become 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, geriatric, women’s health, school health, occupational health, mental health, emergency, and acute care. You will serve as the primary care provider and consult and collaborate with other health care professionals to provide quality comprehensive care for individuals, families, and communities in a variety of ambulatory and inpatient settings.
The DNP prepares you to provide comprehensive health care services. You’ll emerge with the knowledge and skills to take patient histories; conduct physical examinations; order, perform, and interpret diagnostic and laboratory tests; prescribe medications, treatments, and therapies; and help patients manage their conditions as well as their health.
Dual MBA Option
The Doctor of Nursing Practice/Master of Business Administration Program is for UM-Flint Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) students and graduates with an interest in Business/Healthcare Administration. The curriculum allows the DNP student or graduate to apply up to 15 specified credits toward both degrees. The degrees are independent; each degree is awarded when completed, with specified credits accepted for the second degree after the first has been awarded. The MBA degree is awarded with a concentration in Health Care Management. Click here for more information.
U-M RESOURCES
As part of the world-renowned University of Michigan community, UM-Flint can tap additional resources, expertise and contacts at our sister campuses in Dearborn and Ann Arbor to assist our students in their research.
INTEGRATED CLINICAL EXPERIENCES
In-depth online coursework integrates with practical clinical experiences to provide you with valuable hands-on learning as part of a healthcare team. You’ll complete your clinical practicum under the close supervision and mentorship of experienced professionals who inspire as well as impart knowledge.
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Additional Notes:
- One year of full-time experience* which would be at least 2000 hours (in 12 months) experience as a registered nurse in a critical care unit such as SICU, MICU, CCU, etc. Other critical care units may be considered if the applicant has working knowledge of invasive hemodynamic monitors (e.g., pulmonary artery, central venous pressure, and arterial catheters), mechanical ventilation, and is proficient in vasopressor titration.
- Emergency Room experience will not be considered as longitudinally acceptable criteria for this requirement. Must be currently working in a critical care unit or have worked in a critical care unit within the past three years.
- Submission of Verification of Completion Form for critical care experience hours will be required after admission into the program,
- Current certification as an Advanced Cardiac Life Support Provider (ACLS)
- Current certification as a Basic Life Support Provider (BLS)
- The first and third clinical acute care practica (NUR 861 and NUR 865) must be completed in the state of Michigan - no exceptions.
*The School of Nursing will substitute the requirement of one year of full-time experience in a critical care unit and replace with: one year of full-time experience as a registered nurse with preferred experience in such units as ICU, CCU, Perioperative Unit/Pre-op/PACU, Step-down, Emergency departments, and other specialty units such as cath lab. If you have questions regarding this, please contact the SON graduate advisor, Julie Westenfeld at jyankee@umich.edu.
PSCYHIATRIC Mental health nurse practitioner
Additional Notes:
Students are required to meet these requirements for the total 500 hours of practicum:
- Child age 17 and under hours 170
- Adult age 18-65 hours 300
- Older adults age 65 and over hours 30
Contact Julie Westenfeld, nursing academic advisor at jyankee@umich.edu for details.
Accreditation
The baccalaureate, master’s, and DNP programs at University of Michigan-Flint are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
