DNP - Post Masters Advanced Practice

Advanced Practice

Old Dominion University School of Nursing offers a fully accredited (CCNE) Doctor of Nursing Practice Program developed to advance the roles and practice skills of advanced practice nurses including nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists and nurse anesthetists. These doctorally educated advanced practice nurses will be prepared to serve as leaders, researchers, business owners and expert clinicians capable of transforming lives and the healthcare of the communities they serve. Specific emphasis is on addressing the needs of underserved and vulnerable populations.

ODU Graduate Catalog

Distance Learning Information

Program Emphasis

The four major areas of emphasis for the DNP program are:

  1. Emerging healthcare technologies
  2. Advanced diagnostic and client care skills
  3. Care of vulnerable populations
  4. Assurance of quality client outcomes with practice based research

The DNP program places specific emphasis on incorporating content on health disparities, barriers to care and culture (2 classes), along with practice focused research (2 classes), systems leadership (2 classes), and advanced clinical training (4 classes). Postmaster students may enroll in full or part time study. Full-time students will graduate from this program in 1.5 years and part-time students in 2.5 years.

The advanced nursing practice programs at Old Dominion University have an outstanding history in the education of advanced practice nurses and have educated over five hundred nurses for advanced practice roles since 1988. The clinical certification rates for practice for all three programs range from 96-100% annually, well above the national average.

For curriculum information, please visit the Graduate Catalog.

"I am amazed at how I have changed as a result of the DNP program. I now have the expertise and confidence to address the changes that are needed in healthcare. I am well positioned to become the healthcare leader and provider that is so vital in society."

- ODU Advanced Practice Graduate

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

All DNP courses are offered online. Students are also required to participate in DNP immersion days held at the beginning of every semester and at the end of the spring semester of graduation. Some DNP immersion days are conducted virtually, and some are conducted face-to-face with required on-campus attendance. During the on-campus days, students meet with their faculty advisors and peers in the program. While on-campus, students practice formal presentation skills with a progress report of their research projects. The on-campus days are held at the Virginia Beach campus.

The graduate school admission requirements are described on the website: https://www.odu.edu/admission/graduate. Applicants to the BS-DNP Nurse Executive program should have relevant healthcare management experience and be seeking an opportunity to advance to an executive level position.
Students entering the Advanced Practice DNP program must either have a master's degree (MSN or MS). Those interested in the Nurse Executive DNP program also require a master's degree or if not, can enroll in the BS-DNP program that provides MSN courses to meet the academic requirements. MSN courses with a clinical component will be accepted toward the total clinical hour requirement of 1000 hours to obtain the DNP degree. The DNP program provides 560 clinical hours within the planned curriculum. Students who do not enter as a Nurse Practitioner may need additional clinical hours in addition to the DNP courses. A review of your transcript will be helpful in determining this.

Students may enroll in the DNP program either full-time or part-time. Part-time students typically take two courses per semester (6 credit hours) and the courses are sequential. A curriculum plan outlining the specific courses needed for each program of study is provided upon enrollment. Program completion depends on whether or not you need additional coursework to meet the clinical requirements for a DNP degree (as noted above).

ODU has a list of clinical preceptors who have worked with students in the past and are willing to be assigned students. However, if you have a particular interest in working with someone or in a specific clinical site closer to your home, we can work with you to obtain a clinical agreement with that site. Students may complete their clinical practicum hours within their own work setting, but the activities completed to meet practicum goals and objectives must be different from the student's work role and responsibilities.

CCNE Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

Accredited by CCNE

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Old Dominion University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

Graduate FAQs

Still have questions about the requirements, workload, scheduling and more?