DNP: Executive Leadership
The DNP: Executive Leadership (Post-MSN) program option is designed for nursing leaders in senior management positions or those with substantial leadership experience. The program focuses on intrapreneurial and entrepreneurial approaches to leadership and incorporates experiential projects, often within your organization or community. Learn to help navigate our nation’s increasingly complex and dynamic health care environment.
Who Should Apply
If you’re already working as a nurse, have a master’s in nursing, and are interested in taking on a senior-level role in your organization, you should consider our DNP: Executive Leadership program.
Application Deadlines
Fall 2025
Application Open: 09/01/24
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Priority: 12/01/24
Release Date: Rolling
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Final: 07/01/25
Release Date: Rolling
Requirements
Overview
The DNP: Executive Leadership (Post-MSN) consists of 43 credit hours and 1000 practice hours. Questions about program requirements should be directed to the program director, Joyce Knestrick.
Program of Study
- DNP - Executive Leadership program of study (part-time)
- DNP - Executive Leadership program of study (part-time, Fall 2024 start)
Courses
For full listing of courses and descriptions, please visit the University Bulletin.
New Student Orientation
This mandatory virtual orientation, held in the summer, gives you the opportunity to connect with your faculty and fellow students, consult with advisers and prepare for your program.
On-Campus Requirements
Project Presentation
At the end of your third year (prior to graduation) you will present your work in an open forum to the faculty and your peers.
Technology Requirements
Beginning fall 2018, each student admitted to the BSN program are expected to own and have ready access to a laptop or tablet with basic productivity software for classroom use. View Policy.
Complete applications that are submitted by the priority deadline will be reviewed first. Applications do not have to be verified by the priority deadline, only completed and submitted. Questions? Contact the Office of Admissions at [email protected]
A completed application includes the following components:
- Possess a bachelor's degree in nursing from a regionally accredited college or university
- Possess a master's degree in nursing, or a relevant field such as an MBA, MPA or MPH, from a regionally accredited college or university
- Minimum cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Graduate-level inferential statistics course taken within the past five years*
*NURS 6208: Biostatistics for Health Care Research (3) is offered in the spring and summer for those who have not met this requirement
- Official transcripts (from all post-secondary schools)
- Two letters of recommendation
- Current resume
- Statement of Purpose
- Active and unencumbered RN license from a U.S. state or territory
Graduate-level inferential statistics course taken within the past five years*
*NURS 6208: Biostatistics for Health Care Research (3) is offered in the spring and summer for those who have not met this requirement
At the conclusion of this DNP program, you will be able to:
- Integrate findings from the sciences that provide the foundation for nursing practice.
- Apply leadership and systems thinking to ensure accountability for the quality of health, health care and patient safety for populations through the application of ethical, organizational, political and economic sciences.
- Synthesize, translate, implement, evaluate and disseminate research findings and best evidence into advanced nursing practice.
- Critically appraise information systems, data analytics and technology to evaluate and monitor patient and population outcomes and care systems to improve the quality and safety of health care.
- Formulate and evaluate health care policy to advocate for accessible, equitable and ethical healthcare for patients and populations.
- Convene and lead interprofessional teams that communicate and collaborate effectively to enhance patient and/or population health outcomes and health care delivery models.
- Design initiatives to prevent disease and promote the health of diverse populations.
- Provide leadership in advanced nursing practice by incorporating evidence-based guidelines, and innovative care models to influence individual population and organizational outcomes.
All DNP students are expected to complete a minimum of 1,000 post-baccalaureate practice hours as part of an academic program. Most advanced practice RN students have completed 500 hours in their MSN programs. We require 500 pre-DNP hours and provide coursework within the program for the remaining 500 hours.
Complete applications that are submitted by the priority deadline will be reviewed first. Applications do not have to be verified by the priority deadline, only completed and submitted. Questions? Contact the Office of Admissions at [email protected]
A completed application includes the following components:
- Possess a bachelor's degree in nursing
- Possess a bachelor's degree in nursing
- Currently utilize your master's preparation in an area of advanced nursing practice such as an APRN role, nursing administration, executive leadership, health policy, informatics, or population health
- Minimum cumulative GPA of at least 3.3 on a 4.0 scale
- Graduate-level inferential statistics course taken within the past five years*
*NURS 6208: Biostatistics for Health Care Researchers (3) is offered in the spring and summer for those who have not met this requirement
- Official transcripts (from all post-secondary schools)
- Two letters of recommendation
- Current resume
- Statement of Purpose
- Active and unencumbered nursing licensure
Note:
- GW Nursing is subject to state authorization requirements in order to offer an approved nursing curriculum. View available states.
Graduate-level inferential statistics course taken within the past five years*
*NURS 6208: Biostatistics for Health Care Researchers (3) is offered in the spring and summer for those who have not met this requirement
At the conclusion of this DNP program, you will be able to:
- Integrate findings from the sciences that provide the foundation for nursing practice.
- Apply leadership and systems thinking to ensure accountability for the quality of health, health care and patient safety for populations through the application of ethical, organizational, political and economic sciences.
- Synthesize, translate, implement, evaluate and disseminate research findings and best evidence into advanced nursing practice.
- Critically appraise information systems, data analytics and technology to evaluate and monitor patient and population outcomes and care systems to improve the quality and safety of health care.
- Formulate and evaluate health care policy to advocate for accessible, equitable and ethical healthcare for patients and populations.
- Convene and lead interprofessional teams that communicate and collaborate effectively to enhance patient and/or population health outcomes and health care delivery models.
- Design initiatives to prevent disease and promote the health of diverse populations.
- Provide leadership in advanced nursing practice by incorporating evidence-based guidelines, and innovative care models to influence individual population and organizational outcomes.
All DNP students are expected to complete a minimum of 1,000 post-baccalaureate practice hours as part of an academic program. Most advanced practice RN students have completed 500 hours in their MSN programs. We require 500 pre-DNP hours and provide coursework within the program for the remaining 500 hours.