DNP students in a classroom

DNP - Doctor of Nursing Practice

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Developing a new generation of innovative nurse leaders.

The DNP program at FSC is a leadership focused post-master’s program of study designed to prepare graduates in health care policy and advocacy, finance, information systems, project management and organizational leadership.

Realize your full potential as a health systems leader with a DNP Degree from Florida Southern College. This program will prepare you with the knowledge and skills needed for upward career mobility and better job opportunities across the health care continuum. Become an innovative nurse leader and shape the future of health care.

Online

Online Info Session for DNP

May 19

An online webinar for prospective doctoral students to learn more about Florida Southern College's Doctor of Nursing Practice. This event is designed to present an overview of our DNP program and to provide an opportunity to connect with faculty.

Register for the May 19 DNP online info session about"Online Info Session for DNP

Apply today to start next term
Tuesday, August 23, 2022

Due to the effects of COVID-19 on the healthcare community, we will be accepting applications until the cohort is full.

Request Info Visit Apply Today Program Details

Accreditation

The Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Florida Southern College is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

Top Reasons to choose DNP - Doctor of Nursing Practice at florida southern college

Gain a Competitive Edge in Your Career

The changing demands of this nation’s complex healthcare environment require the highest levels practice expertise. Employers are quickly recognizing the unique contributions that DNP prepared nurses are making in health care organizations. As a result, the demand for nurse leaders with doctoral preparation continues to grow. Nursing is moving in the direction of other health professions in transitioning to the Doctor of Nursing Practice.

Learn More about Gain a Competitive Edge in Your Career

Learn More, Earn More

A DNP Degree from Florida Southern College will prepare you for the highest level of advanced nursing practice. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data clearly show that with each level of education attained, individuals have access to higher level and better paying jobs. In the U.S., the median salary for individuals with a doctoral degree is approximately 20% higher compared to those with a Master's Degree. In 2020, the median pay for health services leaders and managers in the U.S. was $104,280.

In High Demand

Employment opportunities for health system leaders and managers are projected to grow by 32% by 2030---much faster than the average for all other occupations in the U.S.

Faculty with Real-Life Experience

When it comes to helping nurse leaders achieve their potential, there is no substitute for experience. Our DNP faculty come from diverse backgrounds and have the knowledge and expertise required to help students prepare for the real-life challenges they will encounter as the next generation of health systems leaders.

Learn More about Faculty with Real-Life Experience

Return on Your Investment

DNP Program tuition is competitively priced at $725 per credit hour to provide students with a high rate of return on their investment in education. Out-of-state students pay the same rate and our hybrid-delivery format makes it easy for students living in the region and beyond to complete program requirements.

Showcasing Excellence in Scholarship and Evidence Translation

Our students are solving real-life problems in health care organizations through the DNP project and practicum experiences

Develop skills for effective professional, business, and scholarly writing

In NUR 7200, Professional Business and Scholarly Writing, you will develop skills for effective professional, business, and scholarly writing needed for advanced nursing leadership roles and learn how to tailor your writing to effectively communicate with diverse audiences.

View Academic Catalog

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Doctor of Nursing Practice

Core Competencies

DNP students are expected to demonstrate mastery of the core competencies delineated in The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2006):

  1. Scientific Underpinnings for Practice
  2. Organizational and Systems Leadership for Quality Improvement and Systems Thinking
  3. Clinical Scholarship and Analytic Methods for Evidence-Based Practice
  4. Information Systems/Technology and Patient Care Technology for the Improvement and Transformation of Healthcare
  5. Health Care Policy for Advocacy in Health Care
  6. Interprofessional Collaboration for Improving Patient and Population Health Outcomes
  7. Clinical Prevention and Population Health for Improving the Nation’s Health
  8. Advanced Nursing Practice
Read the DNP Handbook for more details 

Meet our Mocs

Ann Roberto, DNP, APRN, CPNP

FSC stood out to me because, for this degree, I knew a smaller college would provide a more involved faculty and dedicated staff. And that turned out to be true. The faculty was dedicated and attentive to our needs as students and my program allowed me to drastically improve my ability to write and do research. I am forever grateful to FSC for a wonderful educational experience.

Carol Anderson, DNP

Regional Medical Director
Woundtech Network

I chose FSC for a number of reasons, primarily because of the reputation of the college. After speaking with other alumni students, I was sold. During my campus visit, I met such wonderful staff that made me feel accepted, even prior to applying. I truly love FSC and the staff is amazing. The faculty were the main reason I remained at FSC to complete my BSN, MSN, and DNP! It was not an easy journey but the journey was well worth it. Shortly after graduating from the DNP program, I was promoted to Regional Medical Director with my company.

Doris Thornhill, DNP, ARNP

Health First Inpatient Cardiology

The DNP curriculum is well suited to manage work/home life with school. The student to faculty ratio definitely enhance my learning. I now have a much better understanding of project planning, business plan development, and implementing systems improvements in the workplace. I found the faculty very supportive; my overall experience with Florida Southern was excellent!

Melanie Michael, DNP, MS, APRN, FNP-C, CPHQ, FNAP
- Graduate Nursing Program Director

Dr. Michael’s teaching is guided by the theories and works of Nobel Laureate Herbert A. Simon in the area of active learning and the proposition that “Learning results from what the student does and thinks and only from what the student does and thinks. The teacher can only advance learning by influencing what the student does to learn,” (as quoted in Ambrose, S.A., et al. 2010).

Read More about Melanie Michael, DNP, MS, APRN, FNP-C, CPHQ, FNAPMeet Our Faculty

Program Details

Online Coursework + On Campus Immersion

Our program offers fully online coursework with an on campus immersion meeting the first Friday and Saturday of each semester.

  • Completed online application
  • Official transcripts of all academic work
  • A master's degree in nursing from an accredited CNEA, ACEN or CCNE program with certification as a Certified Nurse Midwife, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, Clinical Nurse Specialist, or Nurse Practitioner at a regionally accredited college or university
    OR
    A nursing master's degree in nursing leadership, health policy, population or community health, or informatics from a nationally accredited CNEA, ACEN or CCNE program at a regionally-accredited college or university
  • Cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in graduate level course work
  • Résumé or CV of educational and work experience
  • Professional statement describing rationale for pursuing the DNP degree, professional goals, and how completion of the DNP degree will support attainment of professional goals
  • Minimum of three letters of recommendation including one from a current or recent supervisor, one from a former faculty member, and one from a doctoral prepared health professional
  • Proof of current active licensure as a registered nurse in the state of Florida
  • Live or virtual interview (by invitation only)
  • Completion of a criminal background check, proof of immunization, and a ten-panel drug screen prior to beginning the program (if admitted)

Course descriptions are available in the academic catalog.

Academic Catalog
Course Number Course Name
DNP 7100 Philosophical, Theoretical, Professional, and Conceptual Foundations
DNP 7110 Leadership and Interprofessional Practice
DNP 7120 Introduction to DNP Project
DNP 7200 Professional, Business, and Scholarly Writing
DNP 7210 Health Care Business and Financial Management
DNP 7300 Practice Scholarship: Evidence-based Practice and Quality Improvement
DNP 7310 Data Management and Analytics for Evidence-based Practice
DNP 7400 Clinical Prevention and Population Health
DNP 7410 Health Policy and Advocacy in Health Care
DNP 7420 Information Management and Technology
DNP 7500 DNP Project and Practicum I
DNP 7510 DNP Project and Practicum II
DNP 7520 DNP Project and Practicum III
DNP 7530 DNP Project and Practicum IV

Florida Southern College reserves the right to revise fee schedules.

2021-2022

Base Required Fees Cost
Tuition Per Credit Hour $725
Technology fee per semester is based on credit hours enrolled $30 to $120
 
 

Additional Costs

Base Required Fees Cost
Castle Branch All-Inclusive Package (FH42) $207.25

*Tuition will be billed prior to the beginning of each semester based on credit hours. Tuition must be paid by the first day of class.

Related Materials

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the focus of your DNP program?

Rather than direct patient-practice, our DNP at Florida Southern program focuses on nursing leadership, administration, health care policy and advocacy and project management.

Is this an on-campus program?

Our students meet on campus for an immersion weekend once per semester, usually on the first Friday and Saturday of the term. The remainder of the program is delivered in an online format, with regular meetings with faculty and students.

Do you require the GRE for admission?

No, we do not require the GRE for consideration for admission to our nursing programs.

How does the DNP differ from a PhD in Nursing?

While both are terminal degrees within nursing, the DNP focuses on practice in direct and indirect care roles while the focus of the PhD is on nursing research. Indirect care roles include health care leadership or administration, health policy, and informatics.

Program Contact

Kimberly Smith

Admission Counselor and Advisor
 863.680.3090
863.777.4434

Dr. Melanie Michael

Graduate Nursing Program Director
863.680.4683

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