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DNP Programs in North Carolina

By EveryNurse Staff on January 18, 2023

DNP Programs in North Carolina

The Doctorate degree for Advanced Nurse Practitioners is coveted because of the opportunities it provides graduates with. There are no shortages of job offers to choose from, and they all involve leadership positions designed to improve health care outcomes. From service delivery and access to specialized patient care, there is a great need for qualified individuals to develop innovative health policies, curricula, information systems, nursing environments, and more. The entire nursing industry is evolving to accommodate the needs of growing populations, and there is huge emphasis on health care adaptations in all communities. Graduates of this clinical terminal degree are responsible for these changes, and we have done vast research for you. These are all the schools offering DNP programs in North Carolina.

Featured North Carolina DNP Programs (RN Required)

  • The DNP program at Duke University is offered through their School of Nursing. This is an online degree that is accredited by CCNE. Graduates are leaders of a variety of healthcare teams and they are experts at improving care, safety, patient outcomes, and quality systems. Study plans include part-time and full-time options. Post-Master’s students typically complete the program in five or six semesters. Those entering at the baccalaureate level will take longer. Please contact the school personally to obtain further information relating to their latest application deadline dates.
  • The College of Nursing at East Carolina University has an online DNP program available that prepares future advanced practice specialists for the translation and application of research findings into clinical settings. Students attend a few days of campus intensives each semester and they are able to study according to either a full-time or part-time schedule. This is a thirty-six-semester credit program for post-master’s students that can be completed in four semesters of full-time study. Part-time students will require six semesters and those in the BSN pathway will need to acquire seventy-three semester credit hours. To find out about their published application deadline dates, please contact the school.
  • The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has a DNP program available at their School of Nursing. This is a campus-based program that utilizes a hybrid format of online technology for course delivery along with traditional classroom lectures. Graduates fulfill roles in specialized advanced practice, and they are prepared for executive leadership in a variety of clinical settings. Students meet once a week for classes, and there are flexible study plans on offer. A minimum of thirty-seven semester credit hours must be accrued to obtain this degree. On average, students take between two and three years to graduate. Please do not hesitate to inquire about their application deadline dates by contacting the school.
  • The School of Nursing offers a DNP program at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Two tracks are available for aspiring Nurse Anesthetists or Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioners. Graduates are able to infiltrate all levels of clinical practice as leaders of their specialty. This is a three-year program and the curriculum caters to those entering without an advanced specialty qualification. BSN graduates will need to complete eighty semester credit hours. Feel free to ask the school directly about their latest deadlines for applications.

North Carolina DNP Nurse Checklist

When applying to these programs, ensure that your application reflects your ambition. Know the deadline dates for each school that interests you and adhere to them. Contact these schools so that you are aware of their application procedures and prerequisites for eligibility. Prospective students are competitive and there is limited space in these programs. A reflection of academic prowess via continued high grades throughout graduate studies is essential. Completion of your Master’s degree is compulsory and may be obtained through the offered bridge programs which will improve doctoral candidacy if certain scores are met. We have a compiled a list of what is required when applying to a DNP program in North Carolina:

  • Before submitting your Curriculum Vitae, ensure that it is updated to include your entire academic history, all your clinical experiences, and any volunteer nursing that you have partaken in.
  • The total number of accumulated clinical hours obtained through graduate coursework and specialized advanced practice will require evidence.
  • Evidence of your completed BSN and MSN degrees are necessary, and proof that they were obtained through accredited programs is not negotiable.
  • At least a grade of C must have been achieved on core MSN courses in research, statistics, and nursing theory within the last five years.
  • Provide proof of the vaccinations specified by the school and submit the results of your last medical checkup. Criminal and background checks are mandatory and should not be of concern.
  • The school will require a total of three letters of reference. These should be requested of professionals able to testify to your academic candidacy such as supervisors, employers, physicians, nursing colleagues, and past academic mentors.
  • You will need official transcripts requested from all colleges or universities attended during your post-secondary education.
  • Write a clear essay describing your personal career aspirations and need for a doctoral education. Explain how the program is essential to your professional ambitions and how it will benefit others.
  • On a scale of 4.0, your accumulated Grade Point Average may be no less than 3.0 for some schools or 3.5 for others.
  • Accept the forthcoming personal interview that the school will request. It is of utmost importance that you arrive in a timely manner and do not have to leave in haste.
  • Creative written work examples must be provided. Scholarly papers are accepted by all schools.
  • Your registered nursing license must be unrestricted and enable you to practice as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner in North Carolina.

Additional North Carolina Program Rankings

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