new or upcoming BSN to DNP programs

The first schools with DNP programs are just undergoing their site visits now. The first 4 site visits occured last semester, and there are 16 more visits scheduled this spring. Another 20 schools have site visits scheduled for 2009-2010.

The Commission for Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) is the group that accredits graduate nursing programs. They will vote on the first 4 site visits (from last semester) at their April 2009 meeting. The 16 schools with site visits will be voted on next October.

So at this date (March 2009) no DNP programs in the country are officially accredited yet by CCNE. We here at the University of Virginia are waiting until we have full accreditation (our CCNE site visit was last month, so should know in October if we have been officially granted accreditation) before we announce any BSN-DNP options.

I am aware of a handful of BSN-DNP programs that admitted students for Fall 2008. I expect this to be at least 40 schools by 2011.

Congrats on your decision to pursue a BSN-DNP.

Can anyone advise me as to the different programs? BSN to PhD vs BSN to MSN (NP) vs BSN to DNP program? I know that shortly the ANA wants all NP's to hold DNP's but I'm confused as to the best route to go when choosing. I'm interested in an NP program but with a focus of clinical research in mind ultimately. Thanks so much! ~

What types of research are you interested in?

If you are interested in the generation of new knowledge, designing/managing new interventions, or expanding nursing science then I would recommend pursuing a PhD program. If your interest is 'translating' this new knowledege to the clinical setting and improving nursing practice, then I recommend pursuing a DNP.

I have a comparision of both of these programs at my University at http://www.nursing.virginia.edu/programs/phddnpcompare/. Again, this is just one University's approach, but it can give you an idea of how the two programs differ in approach, content, and aims.

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), not the ANA, has called for the DNP to be required for entry into advanced practice by 2015. I recommend to people entering graduate program now that if they think they intend to practice nursing beyond 2015 that a DNP will likely be in their future. The question then is whether do enter a BSN-DNP program, or do pursue it in two steps (the MSN first, then the DNP). There are not many BSN-DNP programs in the country yet (but about 100 MSN-DNP). I expect more and more BSN-to-DNP programs to open in the next few years as more programs become accredited.