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Become a Nurse Leader

Distinguish yourself as a DNP nurse leader. Influence health care systems at an executive level, direct and inform decision-making, and transform models of care. We develop health care executives and leaders that create change throughout the Intermountain West.

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Post-MS to DNP/Leadership Overview

The Post-MS to DNP specialty track is geared toward the master's prepared nurse, including practicing APRNs and those with non-nursing master’s degrees, seeking the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree.

The DNP degree furthers the student's focus on leadership roles, with a particular emphasis on translational methods in evidence-based practice to drive innovation in individual patient and population health and healthcare organizations and systems. Students demonstrate their newly acquired expertise by integrating the coursework into a final DNP Scholarly Project.

  • Students take courses based on the DNP essentials and electives are chosen based on a student's previous education, experience, and specialty interests.
  • Minimum of 36 credit hours in coursework, including a minimum of 3 elective credits.
  • Full-time (completed in 5 semesters) or part-time (one additional year) programs of study available.
  • On-campus attendance is not required. Courses are taught in executive and online formats each semester. The executive format requires the student to attend class by video conference 4-5 times over the semester. 

Track Information

    Direct Care Pathway
    (for APRNs)

    • Identify trends in practice to improve patient outcomes
    • Analyze and apply evidence to make improvements in patient care populations
    • Identify potential system changes to improve care for patient populations
    • Facilitate quality improvement projects to improve patient care
    • Understand finance and business principles for clinical providers

    Organizational Leadership Pathway
    (for APRNs and non-APRNs)

    • Summarize critical processes used in program planning
    • Apply organizational and systems leadership skills to eliminate health disparities and promote patient safety
    • Project the impact of regulatory, government, and policy change on health care finance, reimburse, and delivery
    • Analyze and predict strategies to positively influence system outcomes.
    • Identify need for program development based on regulatory mandates, market demands, and system-level outcomes

    Contact Us

    Teresa Garrett, RN, DNP, APHN-BC
    Specialty Track Director
    Teresa.Garrett@nurs.utah.edu

    Shelley Kern, MPC
    DNP Program Manager
    shelley.kern@nurs.utah.edu

    Deadlines

    Spring application deadline: November 1
    (Only part-time program of study available)

    Fall application deadline: December 1