BSN to DNP - Executive Leadership

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a practice doctorate that prepares clinical scholars recognized for outstanding leadership and innovative evidence-based patient/population centered outcomes.  The program focuses on interprofessional collaboration and developing competencies in practice, leadership, and quality improvement and safety that lead to enhanced outcomes important to patients, families, providers, and organizations.

The BSN to DNP curriculum is in line with the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties' (NONPF), the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS) and American Organizations of Nurse Executives (AONE) commitment to move all entry-level nurse practitioner education to the DNP degree by 2025. The program is not an addition to master's studies, but rather an integration of the objectives and learning opportunities required for attainment of doctoral level core and population-focused competencies.

The Executive Leadership pathway was created to prepare students for management and administration roles in diverse health care settings. Graduates are prepared to strategically manage human, material, information, and fiscal resources to facilitate the delivery of safe, quality nursing and health care services. Role functions comprise management, administration, leadership, relationship building and advocating for the profession.

• Completion of a bachelor’s degree in nursing from a United States regionally accredited institution.
• Current, unencumbered Registered Nurse license in Oklahoma or compact state by the time of enrollment in the second semester. 
• Minimum Cumulative GPA for 3.0 in all college coursework at the time of application and at the time of enrollment. 
• Resume or CV.
• The most qualified candidates will be invited to an interview.
• Please Note: The LPN-BSN, RN-BSN, MSN, Post-Graduate Certificates, PhD, and DNP programs in the OU College of Nursing are hybrid and/or online or part-time programs. The F-1 visa regulations require in-person courses, and these programs do not meet those requirements. Thus, international students are not accepted for these programs (LPN-BSN, RN-BSN, MSN, Post-Graduate Certificates, PhD, and DNP). International students are only eligible to apply for the ABSN and TBSN pathways as they have in-person requirements.
• All applicants should refer to the professional licensure disclosure information for the programs available at this link: https://www.ouhsc.edu/academicaffairs/professional-licensure-disclosure. 

Due to federal regulations from the Department of Education, the College of Nursing currently accepts applications for its online doctoral degree programs from residents of the states participating in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA). A list of participating states can be found at: http://nc-sara.org/sara-states-institutions. Applicants are encouraged to check with their local State Boards of Nursing regarding any specific professional licensure requirements prior to applying or enrolling.

Please use a personal email address when setting up your NursingCAS account. School email addresses may expire before you receive your admission decision, which could disrupt communication. Using a personal email ensures we can always contact you.  

If after reviewing the qualifications for this program you are unsure of whether you meet them, please contact Nursing@ouhsc.edu. We are here to help and support you as you pursue a career in the health sciences.    

Complete the NursingCAS application 

• Undergraduate programs: $60 for the first program; $45 for each additional program 

• Graduate programs: $80 for the first program; $50 for each additional program 

Click here for detailed NursingCAS application instructions