"smart enough" for DNP program?

pinkiepieRN · Oct 5, 2016

Addendum: I'm looking really hard at brick and mortar schools in my state, such as UMD and Johns Hopkins. I would prefer as much actually face to face teaching as I can get. I'm also looking at other expensive places such as Yale and Georgetown. I just want to do the best for myself that I can. I am really disinterested in any of the "for profit" schools or anything that's 100% online.

AAC.271 · Oct 5, 2016

You can get your DNP at an online school. However, hopkins might be a reach.

gmjohnson6 · Oct 5, 2016

Many schools you could potentially attend will have an online portion.. with some or all of the course work online. Just something to consider.

PG2018 · Oct 7, 2016

If you're willing to pay the bill, you're automatically admitted to two-thirds of them.

gettingbsn2msn, MSN, RN · Oct 7, 2016

Wanted to go to Duke.....started in a program for psych and had to drop out. This was due to the fact that I could not afford health insurance. Health insurance is mandatory, but I had stopped working to pursue my education. Could not afford to put health insurance premium on student loan debt especially since it was 2k plus.

Jules A, MSN · Oct 7, 2016

Wanted to go to Duke.....started in a program for psych and had to drop out. This was due to the fact that I could not afford health insurance. Health insurance is mandatory, but I had stopped working to pursue my education. Could not afford to put health insurance premium on student loan debt especially since it was 2k plus.

It sounds like you made an uncomfortable but wise choice. Best wishes and when finances are better you can start back toward your goal.

kubivern · Oct 8, 2016

Don't ever sell yourself short. If you put in the effort, you are "smart enough" to take on any DNP program. You got your MSN - many DNP programs are BSN to DNP. So you are halfway there.

And I don't think that GPA is a great indicator of how smart you are, and as you state, colleges look at you as a whole person. For many colleges, what you want to do once you get your degree is usually more important than your GPA. Look at the mission of the college you want to attend - is it interested in research, rural health care, urban health care, or substance? Make your application match the mission. And apply to several colleges - give yourself a choice.

Also don't leave out the online colleges - they can be very good. The nursingcas.org website lists all sorts of online programs from very respectable colleges. Most do have a couple of "residencies" that bring you to campus, especially for courses like health assessment where the faculty want to watch you and provide guidance.

BirkieGirl · Nov 15, 2016

You might also look at post MSN certificate in psych/MH. I looked at several of them and there are a lot of really good ones out there. Most DNP programs that I glanced at seem to have a 3.5-ish GPA minimum for MSN grads. However most of the certificate options have around a 3.2-3.3 minimum. The academic advisor at EKU actually told me that they weigh the written portion very heavily. So I'm guessing based on most other programs, that you would have a chance to express-in your written statement- your wishes and plans, and any of your background info that you would want to disclose.

B52Bomber · Nov 23, 2016

The advocacy of advanced nursing education and clinical expertise is a main driver for your acceptance into a DNP program. Being able to acknowledge, address and affect healthcare and further the nursing profession is a vision of accepting students who will excel in the program. I was still in my BSN program when I applied, interviewed and was accepted into my BSN to DNP program with a specialty in psych-mental health. Majority of the questions asked were how I think I could make a difference or practice change that would benefit various levels including patients, facilities, communities while addressing health policy, using leadership and acknowledging health disparities. Plus I was the only psych-mental health DNP student in my program cohort hehe.

Jules A, MSN · Nov 23, 2016

Majority of the questions asked were how I think I could make a difference or practice change that would benefit various levels including patients, facilities, communities while addressing health policy, using leadership and acknowledging health disparities.

How disappointing that our doctorate programs which graduate supposed clinicians who will be attempting to diagnose and prescribe medication, often to children, have this as their main focus.

db2xs · Nov 28, 2016

How disappointing that our doctorate programs which graduate supposed clinicians who will be attempting to diagnose and prescribe medication, often to children, have this as their main focus.

I agree with you there, Jules. There needs to be more of a distinction between a DNP and PhD. And there should also be, IMO, two truly different DNP tracks: Executive Management/Business and Clinical Practice. The one that is currently available is the former.

PinkiePie, I would assume that they will consider your application on an individual basis. Your professional experiences, your personal experiences, etc., make you who you are and can tell a great story. I think that ultimately, academics are just a fraction of it, but that's my opinion. It sounds like you were struggling with illness during your schooling. Mental health issues are just as valid as cancer or myocardial infarction, etc. If the school (or anyone, for that matter) is going to judge you for that in a negative way, then forget them. I think your desire to attend a reputable school is commendable. Go for it!