Program Overview

The D.N.P. program offers emphasis areas in:

• Advanced nursing practice: primary care child/adolescent or primary care adult/older adult
• Health systems leadership

Why Study Nursing at Grand Valley?

• Flexibility - all nursing classes are offered in a hybrid format to accommodate working professionals.
• Versatility - prepares nurses for advanced practice nursing roles including clinical practice and nursing administration.
• Practicality - graduates will have an exceptional blend of clinical, organizational, economic, and leadership skills and be prepared to contribute to health care reform.
• Convenience - courses are offered primarily at the Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences in Grand Rapids.
• The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, masters degree program in nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Grand Valley State Universitys Kirkhof College of Nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. www.ccneaccreditation.org.

Location & Format

Classes for the program are a combination of online and in-seat on the GVSU Health Campus, near the Grand Rapids Medical Mile.

• Hybrid

Coursework

The curriculum is consistent with the national agenda to transform American health care. Students study a variety of topics, including:

• Applied statistics
• Informatics, innovation, and technologies
• Evidence-based practice
• Health care system, policy, and politics
• Health issues in vulnerable populations

Career Options

The D.N.P. program creates opportunities for advancement in nursing to include providing leadership in clinical and health systems, changing health care delivery, improving patient outcomes, and teaching in nursing education. The program further validates the Kirkhof College of Nursing's position as a leader in nursing education in Grand Rapids and West Michigan.

Skills Employers Want

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) at GVSU will develop the skills you need to land the job you want. Whether the skills are advanced or general, you will build a resume of qualifications that are sure to attract employers. The following skills correlate with those pulled from actual job postings.

• Nursing
• Performance Improvements
• Clinical Nursing
• Strategic Planning
• Nursing Practice
• Health Administration
• Patient Safety

Source: EMSI, 2020

Application Deadline

Applications accepted on a rolling basis for the fall cohort. Preferred application deadline is February 1; applications received thereafter accepted based upon space available.

The $30 nonrefundable application fee is waived if the applicant has previously applied to Grand Valley State University. For more information, visit the website at gvsu.edu/grad/dnp/.

Admission Requirements

The D.N.P. program is designed for nurses that hold either a B.S.N. or M.S.N. All applicants must have earned their degree from a program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA). Applicants who have not completed a B.S.N. must do so before enrolling.

• Complete the GVSU graduate application available at www.gvsu.edu/kcon specifying the D.N.P. option
• Select one of three program emphases: child/adolescent primary care nurse practitioner, adult/older adult primary care nurse practitioner, or health systems leadership
• Submit transcripts from all previous undergraduate and graduate coursework outside of GVSU
• Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) for all undergraduate and graduate coursework
• Submit a written goal statement describing professional and educational goals
• Submit a current curriculum vitae/resume
• Submit a scholarly writing exercise, using the guidelines in the online application
• Participate in a qualifying interview with KCON faculty
• International student applicants must meet TOEFL requirements for GVSU

Additionally, full admission is contingent on successful completion of the following:

• Current licensure to practice as a registered nurse in Michigan
• A required criminal background check and drug screen
• Health record documentation and immunization requirements

Helpful Links

• Scholarships
• Financial Aid
• Tuition & Fees
• The Graduate School
• Course Catalog
• Nursing Programs

For More Information

gvsu.edu/kcon
301 Michigan St. NE Suite 300
(616) 331-7160

gvsu.edu/gradapply