BSN to DNP Program

LaMicha Hogan, PhD, APRN, FNP-BC
Assistant Professor, Associate Dean/Department Chair for the Graduate Department

Inola Mello, DNP, APRN, FNP-C
Professor and Program Director, BSN to DNP Program

Purpose

The BSN to DNP Doctor of Nursing Program (DNP) prepares RNs to provide fully accountable and comprehensive care to patients as either a Family Nurse Practitioner or a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. With the increasing complexity of health care, the growth of scientific knowledge and health care technologies, doctoral level education is recommended for collaborative/independent practice.

The BSN to DNP Program prepares nurse practitioners to conduct health assessments, implement diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, apply data analytics to decision-making, and assimilate science-driven knowledge to provide person-centered care. Graduates are prepared as leaders who can provide care to individuals, populations, and systems in urban and rural communities.

Program Outcomes

Upon program completion, the graduate will be prepared to:

1. Demonstrate proficiency in assessment, diagnostic reasoning and person-centered care in individuals, populations, and systems in urban and rural communities.
   
2. Implement theory, science-driven knowledge and evaluation of person-centered care to support excellence in clinical practice.
   
3. Appraise, evaluate, and apply data analytics and health care technologies to manage, support, and improve the delivery of safe, high quality, and efficient health care.
   
4. Lead quality improvement initiatives that enhance person-centered care and population health through cost effective, efficient, equitable, and culturally relevant evidence-based strategies.
   
5. Develop leadership skills to analyze and influence health policy affecting the public’s health and care decisions, while advocating for social justice, inclusivity, equity, and ethics in healthcare.
   
6. Engage personal and professional growth through self-reflection, cultivation of resilience and holistic well-being through life-long learning.
   
7. Engage in personal, professional, and leadership development through scholarship, collaboration, organizational involvement and interprofessional partnerships.

BSN to DNP Program Overview

The BSN to DNP Program offers the following tracks for completing the DNP degree:

• BSN to DNP for Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
• BSN to DNP for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

BSN to DNP - Family Nurse Practitioners (FNP) Track and Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (PMHNP) Track Overview

Nurses with the BSN degree can apply to the BSN to DNP program and move directly from the BSN degree to the DNP degree for the FNP and PMHNP tracks (see Admission Requirements for additional criteria for admission). The BSN to DNP program is a combination of online and face-to-face courses and supervised clinical experiences and will meet all educational standards established by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice (2021) and the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculty’s (NONPF) Criteria for Evaluation of Nurse Practitioner Programs (2022), which are the standards for both FNP and PMHNP programs. Graduates will meet all qualifications to sit for national certification to become a Family Nurse Practitioner or a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner upon completion of the DNP degree.

Note: International students with F1 and F2 visa status are not eligible to apply to an online program.

BSN to DNP Application and Admission Information

BSN to DNP Application Dates

Consideration for admission is given to applicants meeting all admission criteria who have submitted ALL admission requirements by the application deadline through the online TTUHSC application portal.

BSN to DNP Admission Requirements

Applicants must submit the following application requirements for full admission:

• Completed and submitted online application as directed on the School of Nursing website
• Valid unencumbered RN License
• BSN to DNP FNP Track applicants must have 2 years of experience as a RN at the time of application submission
  
• Baccalaureate nursing degree from a regionally accredited college or university with nursing program accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or accreditation from the American Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), formerly the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC)
  
  • Applicants with a transcript(s) from a foreign university (ies) are to submit a Commission for Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) evaluation of their transcript(s). Additionally applicants from a country where the primary language is not English, must provide evidence of achieving a total score of 84 or higher with a speaking score of 26 or higher and a writing score of 27 or higher on the TOEFL iBT.
• Completion of undergraduate courses in research and statistics with a grade of C or better taken within five years of application to the program
• A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale) for all coursework leading to the baccalaureate degree. (The undergraduate science courses GPA may be considered as a factor for admission.)
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification for Healthcare Providers from the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross
• Computer literacy
• Critical analysis essay
• Professional letters of reference (3). One from a manager in your current nursing role, a peer in your area of practice and a former faculty member that can attest to your ability to successfully complete doctoral studies.
• Oath of Residency
• Official transcripts from all institutions formerly attended. NOTE: All transcripts must be from regionally accredited colleges or universities with nursing program accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or accreditation from American Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), formerly the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC)
  
• Current Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume (in the template provided in the application process)
  
• Interview with APRN faculty (Interviews are conducted on an invitation only basis after a review of submitted application materials).
  
• Personal Statement/Essay (maximum of 300 words)
  
•  Critical analysis response to track specific question(s) 
  
• Computer literacy defined as an understanding of the capabilities and limitations of a computer and how to use them wisely within clinical workflow and for scholarly work. Applicants must complete the TTUHSC SON Computer Literacy Test located at http://nursing.ttuhsc.edu/skills prior to applying.
  

Non-Academic Considerations (BSN to DNP)

include but are not limited to:

• Evidence of leadership in nursing (Professional organizations, committees, etc.)
• Professional nursing experience highly preferred for the DNP applicant in the FNP track
• Potential for leadership in an advanced practice role
• Professional and community service activities
• Curriculum vitae/resume which includes educational background, honors, nursing experience, professional membership(s), and community service
• Permanent resident of Texas or TTUHSC service area/county
• Fluent in a language frequently used by patients in the applicant’s service area in addition to English
• Military service
• First generation college student
  

All applicants will be reviewed in an individual and holistic manner. No single factor will determine a student’s admission. All applicants receiving offers of admission will be required to consent to a criminal background check. A history of criminal conduct or convictions may result in withdrawal of the admission offer. See ‘Criminal Background Checks’ section of the School of Nursing Student Handbook for the school policy. Criminal Background Checks must be received prior to matriculation to the TTUHSC DNP Program. The TTUHSC Criminal Background policy may be found at TTUHSC OP 10.20.

Only complete applications are reviewed for admission consideration, which means “ALL” admission requirements must be received by the application deadline.

The DNP Program Associate Dean/Department Chair, directors, and faculty carefully evaluate all qualified applicants with regard to the applicant’s potential for successful completion of the program.

Additional Requirements for Prospective Students

Computer Requirements

See Computer Requirements under the Student Information section of this catalog.

Criminal Background Checks

A Criminal Background Check (CBC) must be completed prior to enrollment at TTUHSC School of Nursing in compliance with TTUHSC OP 10.20 and SON OP 60.081. Each student is responsible for the cost of his/her CBC and any additional fees. See Criminal Background Check Requirements under the Eligibility Requirements section of this catalog for additional information.

Immunizations

See Immunization Requirements under the Eligibility Requirements section of this catalog.

Drug Screening

Drug screenings may be necessary if required by the clinical institution site. The cost of all drug screenings are the responsibility of the student. See Drug Screening Requirements under the Eligibility Requirements section of this catalog.

Special Student Enrollment

Non-Degree

Special Student enrollment is not an avenue for seeking a degree. Under certain circumstances, it may be appropriate for an individual to seek admission as a non-degree seeking student. Non-degree Special Student admission is for the purpose of taking a limited number of courses. The applicant must seek approval from the applicable BSN to DNP Associate Dean/Department Chair prior to submitting a special student (nondegree) application. The student must also be eligible for admission under the following criteria:

• Currently enrolled in a master’s or doctoral program at a college or university and is in good academic standing;
• Registered nurse not enrolled in an educational institution;
• Waiver to the above requirement from the applicable DNP Associate Dean/Department Chair or Program Director.

In addition to meeting the above criteria, consideration is given on a space available basis.

• A complete Special Student (non-degree) application includes the following:
• Submitted special-student application
• Submitted signature page and application fee
• Submitted official transcripts from all universities or colleges attended
• Submitted Oath of Residency
• Submitted current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification for Healthcare Providers from the American Heart Association or American Red Cross

Special students can take a maximum of six (6) credit hours or nine (9) if approved by the applicable Associate Dean/Department Chair or Program Director. A special student wishing to apply for full admission to the BSN to DNP Program must submit the full application according to the stated deadlines and will be considered for admission with the entire pool of applicants for the time period the application is submitted.

Enrollment without Credit/Course Audit

Students wanting to audit a BSN to DNP course for no grade must obtain approval from the BSN to DNP Associate Dean/Department Chair or Program Director. Students auditing a course will not be listed on the official class roll, and no notation of the audit will be made on the student’s transcript. Students enrolled for 12 or more semester credit hours may audit a course without paying an additional fee. All other students must pay a $10 fee for auditing a course.

Conditional Admission

If the requirements for full admission are not met, conditional admission may be available. The student is required to comply with “conditions” stated in letter of admission offer prior to the first day of class for the semester of admission.

Readmission

All requests for readmission must be made prior to the application deadline date for the semester in which readmission is requested. The BSN to DNP Program Director and BSN to DNP Program Council are responsible for overseeing all readmissions to the School of Nursing BSN to DNP Program. Readmission of a student dismissed or withdrawn for academic or disciplinary causes is also based upon the decision of the BSN to DNP Program Directors and BSN to DNP Program Council.

A student seeking readmission must comply with the following:

• Submit a letter requesting readmission to the BSN to DNP Program
• Meet all recommendations and requirements set forth by the BSN to DNP Program Director and BSN to DNP Program Council
• Complete online application and meet admission criteria for full admission

Transfer Student

Students requesting admission to the TTUHSC School of Nursing BSN to DNP program as a transfer student from another university must meet the following criteria:

• Transfer student must be eligible to return to the institution from which the student is transferring.
• Submit a full application by the application deadline date for the semester in which transfer is requested.
• Student previously enrolled in the graduate program at TTUHSC School of Nursing who attended another institution and is seeking to return must apply for readmission; any courses considered for transfer credit will be required to meet the standards for transfer credit
• Complete the majority, or over 50%, of the required credits to complete the degree at TTUHSC School of Nursing

Recognition of Previous Nursing Learning

Transfer Credit

The decision to award transfer of academic credit is made by the applicable DNP Assoicate Dean/ Department Chair or DNP Program Director after a thorough review of the applicant’s transcript for evidence of satisfactory course work completion and review of the course catalog descriptions and/or course syllabi as necessary to determine course equivalency. The decision to award transfer credit is based on TTUHSC OP 77.17. Generally, credits earned at a regionally accredited college or university are accepted for transfer provided course content is equivalent and a grade of “B” or higher has been earned in the course.

The majority, or over 50%, of the required credits toward a TTUHSC School of Nursing graduate degree must be earned at TTUHSC. Students requesting courses to be considered for transfer credit will:

• Submit official transcripts for courses considered for transfer credit
• Submit course descriptions and course content for each course

A student previously enrolled in the graduate program at TTUHSC School of Nursing who attended another institution and is seeking to return and transfer in course credit must apply for readmission. Courses accepted for transfer will be required to meet the standards for transfer credit.

Offer of Admission

Offers of admission will be made approximately six - eight weeks following the application deadline. In order to assure a place in the desired program, applicants must comply with the following:

• Return Acceptance Form on or before date specified in the offer of admissions letter
• Submit $175 non-refundable placement/ orientation fee
• Submit evidence of compliance with required immunizations
• Complete Criminal Background Check online
• Completion of required trainings as specified during virtual orientation
• Failure to respond to admissions offer by the date specified in offer letter may result in withdrawal of the offer of admission.

Degree Requirements for Students Admitted to the BSN to DNP Program

Graduation Under a Particular Catalog

A student is expected to complete the degree requirements set forth in the School of Nursing Catalog in effect at the time the student enters the chosen area of study. Only with the specific approval of the applicable BSN to DNP Associate Dean/ Department Chair may a different Catalog be selected. Students, in all cases are prohibited from completing the requirements set forth in a catalog more than seven years old. The Catalog is published at least biennially and its provisions are applicable during the stated Academic year (September 1st through August 31st).

TTUHSC Interprofessional Practice and Education (IPE) Core Curriculum

All TTUHSC students, regardless of school affiliation, are required to complete the TTUHSC IPE core curriculum prior to graduation. The IPE core curriculum is composed of two components including successful completion of a non-credit online course (>70% accuracy on the knowledge post-test) and successful participation in at least one registered IPE learning activity. Failure to complete the IPE core curriculum will result in delayed graduation. Students should consult their academic/program advisor and/or school catalog for additional information.

All TTUHSC students, regardless of school affiliation, will be required to complete the IPE non-credit, online course in interprofessional education. BSN to DNP students are required to complete the online course in the first semester of enrollment.

Maintaining Minimum Academic Requirements

The minimum GPA for continuance in the graduate program is 3.0 overall. Additionally, a minimum grade of “B” is required in each course (nursing required for degree completion. The TTUHSC SON Student Handbook (http://www. ttuhsc.edu/son/handbook.aspx) provides further details regarding academic and graduation expectations.

Progression in the BSN to DNP Program

• Grades are reviewed each semester and progression in the BSN to DNP Program is determined by the BSN to DNP Associate Dean/Department Chair and Graduate Progressions Committee.
• BSN to DNP students are required to maintain a 3.0 GPA with grades at “B” or above in all doctoral courses. Students with a cumulative or semester GPA below 3.0 are placed on academic probation.
• Students receiving “C” or lower in a doctoral course are eligible to repeat the course one time only pursuant to recommendation of course faculty.
• Students earning an overall cumulative GPA or a semester GPA less than a 3.0 in the semester of graduation/completion are ineligible for graduation/completion.

Academic Dismissal from the School of Nursing BSN to  DNP Program will result from the following circumstances:

• Students earning a “C” or lower in two or more BSN to DNP courses in one semester
• Students earning a “C” or lower in the same BSN to DNP course twice
• Students earning a “C” or lower in a second BSN to DNP course even though one BSN to DNP course has been retaken and a satisfactory grade of “B” or better has been obtained

Failing to meet expected standards in any program may result in academic dismissal at any time. Academically dismissed students are eligible to be readmitted according to the stipulations noted in the “Readmission” section above.

Residence Credit

The minimum residence for the BSN to DNP degree is the majority, or over 50%, of graduate course work carrying residence credit be completed at TTUHSC. Residence credit as used here means credit for work done while enrolled in and attending classes at TTUHSC and should not be confused with “residence” in the State of Texas.

Majority of Credits

The majority or over 50% of credits toward any graduate or post-baccalaureate professional degree awarded by the TTUHSC must be earned:

• At TTUHSC
• In the case of those programs offered through joint, cooperative, or consortia arrangements through instruction offered by the participating institutions.

Semester Credit Hours and Course Loads

The semester credit hour is the unit of measure for credit purposes. For the BSN to DNP Program, didactic (lecture) hours are measured on a one-to-one basis; clinical hours are measured on a one-to-five basis for direct care and 1:6 basis for non-direct care for the BSN to DNP DNP Program. The number of semester credit hours a student may carry (course load) is regulated by the BSN to DNP Program Director. In determining this load, the BSN to DNP Program Director take into account the quality of prior scholastic work performed and the types of courses involved. A student enrolled in nine (9) or more credit hours in the Fall or Spring semester and six (6) or credit hours in the Summer semester is considered full-time.

Degree Plan

• Upon initial enrollment into BSN to DNP Program, each student is provided with a degree plan, individualized according to the student’s program of study and part-time or full-time enrollment status. The student’s individual needs and circumstances (i.e., part-time or full-time enrollment, preference for electives, transfer courses, etc…) are considered when developing the degree plan.
• The BSN to DNP Associate Dean/ Department Chair or Program Director for the track in which the student is enrolled is responsible for approving the degree plan.
• BSN to DNP students are responsible for notifying the BSN to DNP Program Director anytime the student deviates from the degree plan (i.e., withdraw from a course; fail to register for a course, etc).
• During orientation to the BSN to DNP Program, students are advised about the requirements for the specific track or major and it is the student’s responsibility to (a) be knowledgeable about the degree requirements; (b) notify the Graduate Program office if the student deviates from the degree plan; and (c) meet degree requirements for graduation.
• The degree plan serves as the student’s guide for course registration each semester.