Doctor of Nursing Practice Program

The Doctor of Nursing Practice program, advanced clinical practice track is for applicants who have completed an MSN degree in advanced clinical nursing practice. Advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) certification is required as either a nurse practitioner, certified nurse midwife, clinical nurse specialist or certified registered nurse anesthetist. The advanced clinical practice track prepares the APRN to become a leader bringing evidence-based knowledge to the practice arena, guide complex health care delivery and improve health care outcomes.   

Are you ready to become a key player in today's complex health care environment? Does a scholarly role that translates evidence-based knowledge into clinical practice and leadership interest you? Vanderbilt's Doctor of Nursing Practice program is built upon our internationally recognized advanced nursing practice programs. With a Vanderbilt DNP degree, you will use nursing and other scientific findings to design sustainable programs of care delivery that are innovative, economically feasible and have significant impact on health care outcomes. 

Nurses who hold an MSN and wish to pursue additional advanced practice study for a new certification may complete a Post-Master’s Certificate in an advanced clinical practice specialty (Nurse Practitioner or Nurse Midwifery) as part of the DNP program. The post-master’s certificate lengthens the program of studies and is based on an individual portfolio review. After completion of the Post-Master’s Certificate portion of the program of study, the student is eligible to take the certification exam in the new selected specialty, if required by the specialty, and continue in DNP courses. 

Applicants with an MSN or MN in majors such as nursing education or clinical nurse leaders and wish to apply to the DNP Advanced Clinical Practice track must complete a Post-Master’s Certificate in an advanced clinical practice specialty. 

Nurses who hold a BSN and interested in a DNP degree with emphasis on critical care or emergency care advanced nursing practice may apply to the BSN to DNP Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) specialty or BSN to DNP Family Nurse Practitioner/Emergency Nurse Practitioner (FNP/ENP) specialty. 

Nurses who enter with a BSN may earn the MSN in an advanced nursing practice specialty and seamlessly transition to the DNP program upon completion of the MSN.