College of Nursing Re-Entry Plan, Information, & Resources for COVID-19
Are you ready to advance your career?
DNPs are in demand across the health care industry and with our hybrid program you can obtain your doctorate in as little as 2.5 years (full-time). Transition to an Advanced Practice with confidence, while being prepared to provide exceptional high-quality care to your community. The Doctor of Nursing Practice program is a hybrid program utilizing a mixture of online didactic coursework, on-campus intensives and on-ground practicum and clinical placements.
Students will receive a broad foundation of educational preparation in advanced care of the selected specialty population, nursing theories, evidence-based practice and quality improvement methods. Graduates of the program are prepared as providers of care at a beginning level of advanced practice within their specialty, aand as scholarly clinicians who use evidence-based practice methods to improve the health-care quality and patient safety. Health assessment, health promotion, health-care maintenance, clinical decision-making and illness management are emphasized in the classroom and clinical practice settings. Students complete a minimum of 1,000 practice immersion hours with extensive clinical time and a faculty-mentored DNP project. Upon degree completion, graduates will be eligible to take the national certification exam and then apply for licensure in the graduate's practice state.
Explore Our Specialties
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Full-Time OptionPart-Time OptionClinical Specialty
The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) DNP specialty prepares nurses to work primarily with adult patients from 17 years old and up that tend to have life-threatening issues. Students will be trained to work in very fast-paced positions where they may be required to order labs and diagnostic tests, interpret the data, and potentially perform invasive procedures to act on information.
Executive Health Systems Leadership
Full-Time OptionPart-Time OptionGlobal Program
The Executive Health Systems Leadership (EHSL) DNP specialty prepares nurses to be management leaders in the healthcare industry. Students learn advanced competencies essential to leadership roles: Chief Nursing Officer (CNO), Associate Chief Nursing Officer (ACNO), Clinical Nursing Director, Director of Nursing Professional Practice, etc.
Family Nurse Practitioner
Full-Time OptionPart-Time OptionClinical Specialty
The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) DNP specialty prepares nurses to provide healthcare to individuals and the family. Students will be prepared to manage a variety of conditions from episodic conditions (coughs, earaches, fevers, etc.) to chronic conditions (diabetes, hypertension, asthma, etc.) utilizing a holistic approach that evaluates all the current conditions for the patient to formulate a treatment plan.
Informatics
Part-Time OptionGlobal Program
The Informatics DNP specialty prepares nurses with an MS degree to work within their organizations, providers, and vendors to successfully implement quality technology improvements in the healthcare industry. Students will be prepared with advanced knowledge in data processing and information sciences.
Nurse Anesthesia
Full-Time OptionClinical Specialty
The Nurse Anesthesia DNP specialty prepares nurses to provide quality anesthesia care utilizing high levels of scientific knowledge and practice expertise. Students will learn to care for patients during the perioperative period so that they are safe and comfortable during their surgical procedures, while utilizing pharmacological and scientific techniques.
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Full-Time OptionPart-Time OptionClinical Specialty
The Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) DNP specialty prepares nurses to focus on helping patients as young as infants and as old as 21 years of age. Students will learn to address patient issues and make sure they are reaching their developmental goals for each age and that older patients are learning about health risks and getting prepared for daily life.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Full-Time OptionPart-Time OptionClinical Specialty
The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) DNP specialty prepares nurses to focus on mental health care and the mind-body connection for patients. Students will learn the modalities to diagnose and treat depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, social disorders, and more. Graduates will work with the patients over the short term or on long term to diagnose and develop treatment plans with the patient.
Post-Master’s DNP
Full-Time OptionPart-Time Option
The Post-Master’s (MS-DNP) DNP specialty builds on experience earned in a traditional Master of Science program. MS prepared students will explore the underpinnings of practice, healthcare policy, leadership, and quality improvement. Students will gain the understanding of how to address population health issues in addition to individual health issues.
Graduate NP Certificates
If you are already an APRN but not ready to commit to the DNP program, consider applying to one of our Graduate Nurse Practitioner (NP) Certificates. We offer NP certificates in the following specialties:
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP)
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
Additional Program Options
DNP/PhD Dual Degree
If you are interested in attaining broader advanced clinical practice skills with strong research competencies, consider taking advantage of our dual Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degrees. You will be prepared at the highest level of nursing science and professional nursing practice, and with advanced skills for engaging in research to create, apply and translate new knowledge to improve health care – in practice domains and/or academia.
Rural Health Professions Program
The Rural Health Professions Program (RHPP) is an optional academic track available to DNP students. RHPP scholars complete additional coursework that focuses on the care of rural and medically underserved populations.
Rural Telehealth Certificate Program
The Rural Telehealth Certificate Program (RTCP) is a graduate certificate available to DNP students. Students complete additional coursework and clinical hours that focus on the use of telehealth technology in a rural setting.
FNP/PMHNP Dual Specialty Option
The FNP/PMHNP dual specialty option is available to matriculated DNP-FNP or DNP-PMHNP students. Students apply to the dual specialty option in the Spring term following their admission and must complete requirements for both the FNP and PMHNP specialties. Additional clinical hours are required.
FNP/AGACNP Dual Specialty Option
The FNP/AGACNP dual specialty option is available to matriculated DNP-FNP or AGACNP students. Students apply to the dual specialty option in the Spring term following their admission and must complete requirements for both the FNP and AGACNP specialties. Additional clinical hours are required.
PNP/PMHNP Dual Specialty Option
The PNP/PMHNP dual specialty option is available to matriculated DNP-PNP or DNP-PMHNP students. Students apply to the dual specialty option in the Spring term following their admission and must complete requirements for both the PNP and PMHNP specialties. Additional clinical hours are required.
Program Outcomes
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Generate and disseminate nursing practice knowledge to stimulate research and improve clinical outcomes
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Improve health outcomes through scientifically based advanced practice within a specialty
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Engage in and lead collaborative practice teams
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Influence clinical practice transformation and policy initiatives
Ready to take the next step?
See the full admissions requirements and application process on the DNP Admissions page.
Accreditation
The Doctor of Nursing Practice program at The University of Arizona College of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
The University of Arizona College of Nursing is approved by the Arizona State Board of Nursing, and affiliated with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and the Western Institute of Nursing.
The Nurse Anesthesia program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs. 222 S. Prospect Avenue, Park Ridge, IL 60068-4001. Main Number: 847-655-1160. Fax: 847-692-7137. Email: accreditation@coa.us.com
DNP Program Director
Allen Prettyman, PhD, FNP-BC, FAANP, FNAP
Clinical Professor
AGACNP Specialty Coordinator
Heather Carlisle, PhD, DNP, RN, FNP, AGACNP, CHPN
Clinical Associate Professor
EHSL Specialty Coordinator
Cindy Rishel, PhD, RN, OCN
Clinical Professor
FNP Interim Specialty Coordinator
Renee Gregg, DNP, FNP-C
Clinical Assistant Professor
Informatics Specialty Coordinator
Sheila Gephart, PhD, RN
Associate Professor
Nurse Anesthesia Program Administrator
Kristie Hoch, DNP, CRNA
Clinical Assistant Professor
PNP Specialty Coordinator
Gloanna Peek, PhD, RN, CPNP
Clinical Associate Professor
PMHNP Specialty Coordinator
Lindsay Ann Bouchard, DNP, PMHNP-BC, RN
Clinical Assistant Professor
Post-Master's DNP Coordinator
Allen Prettyman, PhD, FNP-BC, FAANP, FNAP
Clinical Professor