Nursing | Doctor of Nursing Practice (BSN to DNP)
Fort Hays State University Department of Nursing offers a full-time plan of study for those students who have graduated from an accredited school with a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing degree. The BSN-DNP Pathway is a hybrid program. The majority of the BSN to DNP Pathway is available online, with only a few semesters requiring minimal visits to campus. On-campus requirements are dependent upon course requirements. On-campus days are published for students at a minimum of 6 weeks prior to the start of classes. The BSN-DNP requires all preceptored clinicals to be performed in Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma. Nurses seeking the BSN-DNP Pathway will take the Family Nurse Practitioner tract for a total of 75 credit hours. A Family Nurse Practitioner provides primary care across the life span.
Accepting applications from Kansas, Oklahoma, and Nebraska.
Program Overview
*FHSU DNP Programs had a 100% Pass Rate for the 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 National Certification Exam as reported by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners!*
Graduate School Graduation Requirements
All Graduate degrees1 require:
- Maintain a C or higher in all coursework.
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. (Refer to program)
- A minimum of 30-75 hours of Graduate course work. (Refer to program)
- Comprehensive Examination or equivalent assessment is required. (Master of Liberal Studies requires a Comprehensive Examination and Concentration Exam)
- Degree completion within 8 years.
- 1
Refer to degree program for any additional requirements.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summer | Hours | |
| NURS 872 | Informatics in Healthcare Systems | 3 |
| NURS 952 | Foundations for the Doctoral Leader | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Fall | ||
| NURS 808 | Advanced Statistics | 3 |
| NURS 810 | Developing Nursing Theories | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| NURS 882 | Research in Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 914 | Healthcare Finance & Policy for the APRN | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| NURS 906 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NURS 945 | Population Health | 3 |
| NURS 954 | Advanced Nursing Leadership | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| NURS 903 | Advanced Health Assessment | 3 |
| NURS 903L | Advanced Health Assessment Practicum | 1 |
| NURS 905 | Advanced Pharmacology | 3 |
| Hours | 7 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Summer | ||
| NURS 935 | Primary Care for the Pediatric Population | 3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Fall | ||
| NURS 921 | Primary Care I | 3 |
| NURS 924 | DNP Preceptorship I (1:5=225 clinical hours) | 3 |
| NURS 953 | Evidence Based Practice and Scholarly Tools | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| NURS 956 | DNP Quality Improvement Methods | 3 |
| NURS 957 | DNP Project I | 3 |
| NURS 960 | DNP Preceptorship II (1:5=225 clinical hours) | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Summer | ||
| NURS 916 | Nurse Practitioner Roles in Primary Care | 3 |
| NURS 918 | Primary Care for the Adult and Geriatric Community Population | 2 |
| Hours | 5 | |
| Fall | ||
| NURS 932 | Primary Care II | 3 |
| NURS 934 | DNP Preceptorship III (1:5=255 clinical hours) | 3 |
| NURS 958 | DNP Project II | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| NURS 959 | DNP Project III | 3 |
| NURS 961 | DNP Preceptorship IV | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 75 | |
Academic Degree Maps are term-by-term sample course plans that specify milestones, courses, and special requirements that are necessary for facilitating on-time completion. Degree Maps are examples and are not prescriptive. Individualized choices such as concentration options, transfer credits, optional minors, advisory programs (certificates), etc. can alter the recommended coursework. Course offerings are subject to change. Students should consult with their academic advisors for additional guidance on course planning.
To determine courses to take in the directed choices (often listed as Program Elective Course) and directed elective course blocks see the overview tab for courses. To locate approved courses in General Education areas (Undergraduate Programs) see the general education section of the catalog.
The undergraduate course maps typically advise the most efficient route for students to complete the general education requirements. Courses that are required in the major may be listed as fulfilling relevant general education requirements. This will result in more open elective course hours in some maps than is listed on the degree overview page.