Choose the Best Online BSN to DNP Program for You

To qualify for admission for most DNP programs, you must be a registered nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Some schools may require a year of nursing experience, but many do not.

Online BSN to DNP degree programs have made pursuing a DNP degree especially convenient for full-time professionals and individuals with personal or family-related obligations. As an online DNP student, you enjoy flexibility in scheduling and can complete assignments from the comfort of your home.

Even though a Master of Science in Nursing or MSN is the minimum educational requirement for advanced nursing practice roles, a DNP program may open doors for you that your graduate degree can’t. In addition to opportunities for advancement within the nursing field, doctoral-trained nurses can earn higher salaries.

Overview of Online BSN to DNP Programs

Online DNP programs are growing in number and popularity. It’s important to identify schools that offer programs that fit your career goals and current lifestyle. Note: The information in this list was retrieved in January 2022, please visit the university website for the most up to date information. Here are a number of schools to consider:

Why Choose a BSN to DNP Program?

There are many reasons to choose a BSN to DNP program, from job market trends and demands to professional and financial goals.

• Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) play a pivotal role in today’s health care system. That will not change over the next couple of years. In fact, employment of nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists and nurse midwives is expected to grow 45% from 2020 to 2030, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. These types of APRNs will be key in caring for the aging, baby-boom population.
• Job growth will likely lead to job competition, so you’ll want to stand out in the pool of qualified applicants. A BSN to DNP program could give you an edge. BSN to DNP programs may help equip you with the skills and knowledge to evaluate health care needs from the individual to the organizational level and improve outcomes for both patient populations. Your DNP education may also teach you how to interpret nursing theory in a unique way. As a DNP-level practitioner, you may also work to improve safety and quality standards within various health care settings.
• A DNP program may be a good fit for you if you’re looking to make a positive impact in specialty areas of nursing, by conducting research, translating that research into practice, and analyzing practice data and outcomes. If you have your eye on a leadership role within a policy-making organization, a DNP degree could help you meet your career goals.
• Pursuing the BSN to DNP track may help prepare you for financial and professional success down the line, but it is also important to consider how the degree program can benefit you in the present. The BSN to DNP program is particularly useful to BSN graduates who don’t have the time or money to put into enrolling in an MSN program prior to earning their doctorate. The program is designed to build upon the knowledge and skills you acquire as a bachelor student.

Education Requirements for a BSN to DNP Program

Admissions requirements for BSN to DNP programs vary widely. In order to apply for a BSN to DNP program, you need to be a registered nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited institution. BSN to DNP programs typically require at least a 3.0 GPA, but certain institutions will make exceptions on a case-by-case basis.

In addition to your academic-related application materials, you will likely need to craft a personal statement outlining your career goals, provide two to three references, and submit a resume or curriculum vitae. A year of clinical nursing experience is recommended, but not always required.

BSN to DNP Curriculum

Coursework for a particular BSN to DNP program will vary based on specialization and may be integrated into clinical practice. Examples of courses you are likely to take include:

• Advanced Physiology
• Health Care Delivery Systems
• Health Care Policy
• Advanced Pharmacology
• Advanced Diagnostics
• Advanced Research Methods and Quantitative Analysis
• Information Systems and Technology in Health Care

Typical online BSN to DNP programs range from 70 to 100 credit hours and can involve over 1,000 clinical hours, with some variation based on school or your chosen specialty. Students usually complete the program in three to four years when engaging in study full time.

What Can I Do With a BSN to DNP?

Nurses who successfully complete a BSN to DNP program are qualified for a number of leadership roles within health care and academia including the following, and more:

• Chief Nursing Officer
• Nurse Administrator
• Vice President of Nursing at a hospital or medical organization
• Director of Education
• Clinical Nurse Educator

Salary for DNP Level Nurses

Reliable DNP salary data can be hard to come by because of the broad scope of practice and roles DNP graduates can occupy. But to get an idea of how much you can make as an advanced practice nursing professional with a DNP, examine pay data for specific roles.

The median annual salary for nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists and nurse midwives was $117,670 in May 2020, according to the BLS. The top 10% of them earned upwards of $182,750.

BSN to DNP Program Accreditation

When considering whether to enroll in an online BSN to DNP program, look for those that are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Schools and programs that have been accredited are an indication that the education they are providing meets rigorous standards for innovative, evidence-based practice. There are hundreds of accredited online and campus-based DNP programs in the U.S., with many more in the works. Be sure to do your research to find an accredited program that fits your career ambitions.

If you’re considering the BSN to DNP track, here are a few questions you can ask yourself to help you determine whether it’s the best fit for you: