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Nursing, D.N.P.
Grand Valley State University's Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) is offered through the universitys Kirkhof College of Nursing and is designed for nurses seeking a terminal degree in nursing practice. It is the only program of its type in West Michigan.
The D.N.P. curriculum is delivered in a hybrid format with a focus on the national agenda to transform American health care through interprofessional collaboration, health care policy advocacy, patient-centered care, quality/safety initiatives, and use of informatics. We have a dedicated full-time placement coordinator who manages all of your clinical placements, and immersion experiences take place throughout the programs. The D.N.P. program offers emphasis areas in:
Visit the program website for more information.
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15%
Michigan Job Growth by 2024
Source: EMSI, 2020
- Advanced Nursing Practice (Child/Adolescent Primary Nurse Practitioner or Adult/Older Adult Primary Care Nurse Practitioner)
- Health Systems Leadership (BSN to DNP, Post-MSN to DNP)
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, master's degree program in nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Grand Valley State University's 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.
Format: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.
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/kcon/.
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
For More Information
D.N.P. Program
gvsu.edu/nursingdnp
301
Michigan St. NE Suite 300
(616) 331-7160
Katherine Moran, DNP, CDE,
FAADE
(616) 331-7160
“The D.N.P. program has taught me more about myself and my nursing practice than I ever imagined. I had the full support of professors who challenged me to think in new ways.”
JENNIFER OHMAN, BSN, RN
D.N.P. '16 ALUMNA
D.N.P. '16 ALUMNA