Nursing (DNP)

Advance yourself – and the future of healthcare - with an online DNP program

You’re a leader with a purpose. Now it’s time to take it (and your expertise) to the highest level. A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) can help advance your career and extend your influence. Healthcare needs remarkable leaders to help the field evolve for the betterment of safe, efficient and high-value care. An online DNP degree from Franklin will empower you with next-level credentials so you can revolutionize healthcare.

Built-in Practicum

Earn the DNP designed for busy nurses.

Fast Track from BSN to DNP

No MSN required to start.

Customize Your Degree

Choose courses that focus on your interests and goals.

Online Coursework

Balance earning your degree with being an RN.

Learn from the Best

Benefit from the experience of your instructors – seasoned, in-field practitioners.

Doctor of Nursing Practice Program Offerings

Franklin’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is specifically designed to help busy, leadership-driven registered nurses who hold an MSN or BSN to learn and practice to their highest level. Our DNP offerings are the flexible, online way to advance your career by preparing you to transform organizations, systems and healthcare through evidence-based interventions.

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Track

Acquire a deep understanding of the aging process, focused on serving adult patients and confronting the unique medical challenges that occur as individuals age. 
 

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Family Nurse Practitioner Track

Design and deliver evidence-based, compassionate patient care. Franklin’s flexible, online DNP-FNP track enables you to  learn, practice and lead in the areas of health promotion and patient education, honing the skills you need to positively affect advocacy, outcomes and parity.

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Leadership Track

Enhance and refine your executive management capabilities with Franklin’s DNP-Leadership track. Choose from healthcare administration, health informatics or public administration focus areas, and lead yourself into your next career move.

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Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Track

Gain an essential understanding of cognitive processes, behaviors, and how life events affect the mental health of patients. 

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BSN to DNP Option

No MSN? No problem. Franklin’s BSN to DNP program opens wide your career pathway and job possibilities. This uniquely designed Doctor of Nursing Practice option gives ambitious nurses like you the opportunity to align your credentials with today’s quality-driven, evidence-based practices.

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Find Your Nursing Program

Advance your education, impact and future with an affordable, online nursing degree from Franklin University. Our nursing programs are created by real working nurses and nurse educators who value the same thing you do: delivering excellence in the nursing profession.

Whether you want to help people at all stages of life, advance the practice of nursing, or train and lead the next generation of nurse professionals, we have a nursing program that’s right for you. 

Program Minimum Credentials
BSN to DNP Pathway BSN + RN

What is it and how do I get started? 
The BSN to DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) degree pathway is for registered nurses (RNs) who have earned a B.S. in Nursing (BSN). This program also may be for you if you’re an RN who holds both an BSN and a non-nursing master’s degree.

What will I learn?
This program is a clinically focused practice doctorate that lets you customize your degree by pursuing a leadership track with focus areas in (public administration, healthcare administration or health informatics or the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track.

Is there a clinical/capstone or practicum?
Yes – with good news! Franklin’s DNP program features a built-in practicum so you can apply what you learn while you learn it. The number of practicum hours depends on which track you select.

How quickly can I complete this nursing program?
You’ll need to start with two bridge courses. Upon successful completion of the bridge courses, you’ll be on your way to full enrollment in the BSN to DNP program. Choose the Leadership track with focus areas in healthcare administration, health informatics and public administration and finish your DNP in 3 years. Opt for the Family Nurse Practitioner track to deliver evidence-based, compassionate patient care and finish in 4 years.

DNP MSN + RN

What is it and how do I get started? 
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree program is for registered nurses (RNs) who hold a current license and a M.S. in Nursing (MSN) degree. Nurses who hold a B.S. in Nursing may also qualify for the BSN to DNP pathway.

What will I learn?
This program is a clinically focused practice doctorate that lets you customize your degree by pursuing a leadership track with a focus area in public administration, healthcare administration or health informatics or the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track.

Is there a clinical/capstone or practicum?
Yes – with good news! Franklin’s DNP program features built-in practicum hours so you can apply what you learn while you learn it. The number of practicum hours required depends on which track you select.

How quickly can I complete the program?
Depending on how you choose to customize your degree, you could finish Franklin’s DNP degree program in as few as 2-3 years.

DNP-AGPCNP BSN or MSN

What is it and how do I get started?
The Doctor of Nursing Practice-Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (DNP-AGPCNP) is a doctoral degree track for RNs who want to specialize in primary care for adults ages 13 and older. RNs with a M.S. in Nursing (MSN) can enroll directly in the DNP-FNP. RNs without an MSN, can take advantage of the streamlined BSN-DNP admissions pathway and qualify for the DNP program after successfully completing two bridge courses.

What will I learn?
Advanced nursing theory, practice and research with an emphasis on primary care for adults from adolescence through end of life. As a DNP student, you’ll also complete a scholarly project using evidence-based practice that leads to a problem-solving intervention. 

Is there a clinical/capstone or practicum?
Yes. For the DNP-AGPCNP, you’ll apply and demonstrate your competency for a total of 1,100 practicum and clinical hours, starting with your major area courses, continuing through your DNP seminar courses and AGPCNP clinical hours.

How quickly can I complete this nursing program?
If you enter the DNP with an MSN, you can complete the program in as few as 3 years. If you take advantage of the BSN-DNP pathway, you can complete the program in as few as 4 years. 
 

DNP-FNP BSN or MSN

What is it and how do I get started?
The Doctor of Nursing Practice-Family Nurse Practitioner (DNP-FNP) is a doctoral degree track for RNs who want to specialize in primary care for adults at all stages of life. RNs with a M.S. in Nursing (MSN) can enroll directly in the DNP-FNP program. RNs without an MSN, can take advantage of the streamlined BSN-DNP admissions pathway and qualify for the DNP program after successfully completing two bridge courses.

What will I learn?
Advanced nursing theory, practice and research with an emphasis on primary care. As a DNP student, you’ll also complete a scholarly project using evidence-based practice that leads to a problem-solving intervention. 

Is there a clinical/capstone or practicum?
Yes. For the DNP-FNP, you’ll apply and demonstrate your competency for a total of 1,100 practicum and clinical hours, starting with your major area courses, continuing through your DNP seminar courses and FNP clinical hours.

How quickly can I complete this nursing program?
If you enter the DNP with an MSN, you can complete the program in as few as 3 years. If you take advantage of the BSN-DNP pathway, you can complete the program in as few as 4 years. 
 

DNP-PMHNP BSN or MSN

What is it and how do I get started?
The Doctor of Nursing Practice-Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (DNP-PMHNP) is a doctoral degree track for RNs who want to specialize in diagnosis and treatment of mental health issues. RNs with a M.S. in Nursing (MSN) can enroll directly in the DNP-FNP program. RNs without an MSN, can take advantage of the streamlined BSN-DNP admissions pathway and qualify for the DNP after successfully completing two bridge courses.

What will I learn?
A holistic approach to diagnose acute, episodic and chronic mental health illnesses and provide treatment options that include medication, psychotherapy or a combination of the two.

Is there a clinical/capstone or practicum?
Yes. For the DNP-PMHNP, you’ll apply and demonstrate your competency for a total of 1,100 practicum and clinical hours, starting with your major area courses, continuing through your DNP seminar courses and PMHNP clinical hours.

How quickly can I complete this nursing program?
If you enter the DNP with an MSN, you can complete the program in as few as 3 years. If you take advantage of the BSN-DNP pathway, you can complete the program in as few as 4 years. 
 

Your Best Value DNP

Choose Franklin's Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and get a high-quality degree that fits your life and your budget. 

Affordable Tuition

$748
PER CREDIT HOUR

Affordable tuition rates make Franklin's DNP a professional investment you can feel confident about.

Average Transfer Hours

12
AVG TRANSFER HOURS

On average, students transfer in nearly 1/3 of the credits required for Franklin's DNP programs.

Lower Fees

Save thousands of dollars in fees by choosing Franklin over other leading programs for your DNP. 

Source: Internal research of leading programs (May 2022)

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Highly Recommended

98%
STUDENT SATISFACTION

97% of graduating students would recommend Franklin to their family, friends and/or colleagues.

Source: Franklin University, Office of Career Development Student Satisfaction Survey (Fall 2021)

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Instructor Led

Online courses taught by in-field experts = a winning combo for you.

Non-Profit = Student Focused

Unlike for-profit universities, Franklin invests in student success, not shareholder gain.

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