Nursing (DNP)

Why Earn a DNP for Advanced Practice Registered Nursing?

A DNP is considered the gold standard in education for today’s advanced practice registered nurses. Professional organizations, including the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF), recommend that a DNP be the required degree for APRNs.

As the healthcare industry works through this anticipated transition, many clinical and leadership roles in nursing that previously required a master’s degree now prefer a doctorate.

Skills for an In-Demand Field

Advanced practice registered nurses are in high demand. The Bureau of Labor Statistics cites it as the second fastest growing profession in the nation. Employment is expected to grow 45% between 2022 and 2032 with more than 29,000 positions per year.

The DNP prepares professionals to make complex nursing and leadership decisions. As a student in our program, you will develop into a versatile and strategic healthcare professional with expertise in:

• Practice management
• Risk management
• Outcomes measurement
• Patient advocacy
• Health information
• Research and scholarship

Prepare to Lead in Nursing

DNP-prepared APRNs are positioned to meet the needs and complexities of the growing healthcare system—as practitioners devoted to patient care, executive leaders who guide healthcare teams and educators preparing the next generation of professionals.

Increased Earnings

DNP-prepared APRNs typically earn a higher salary than their master’s-level counterparts. Payscale reports a $9,000 difference between DNP- and MSN-prepared nurses

Why Saint Francis for Your DNP?

Our Franciscan values and the Nursing Code of Ethics have a lot in common. When you pursue your DNP at Saint Francis, you’ll not only gain top-level skills and knowledge, but you’ll develop into a healthcare professional who reveres the dignity of each patient, respects all creation and is dedicated to serving others.

Strong Reputation

Our DNP program builds upon a long history of outstanding nursing education. The most respected healthcare organizations in the region trust Saint Francis graduates to be well-prepared and ready to serve. The university’s strong reputation, quality education and flexible hybrid format make it an ideal program for working nurses across the Midwest and beyond.

Flexible Structure and Schedule

Saint Francis’ DNP program was created specifically for working nurses, with a flexible hybrid format. “Intensives” bring students and faculty together twice a semester for in-person learning which includes lectures, group work, simulations, patient visits and more. The rest of the semester involves flexible synchronous and asynchronous online learning.

Excellent First-Time Exam Pass Rates

Graduates of our DNP program have a 100% pass rate on board certification exams through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).

DNP Concentrations

Our DNP program offers four in-demand options:

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

Family nurse practitioners focus on providing primary care services to patients of all ages, with special emphasis on patient education, disease prevention and health promotion. With the increasing shortage of primary care physicians—especially in rural areas with underserved populations—FNPs fill an essential gap in primary care and are in high demand.

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners provide compassionate, quality mental health services for patients across the lifespan. PMHNPs are specifically trained to assess, diagnose and treat patients with substance use disorders, behavioral issues and other psychiatric disorders. Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners are in high demand throughout the nation. The Health Resources and Services Administration lists all Indiana counties as high-need.

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)

Adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioners focus on care and treatment of adult and gerontology patients, with a specialization in acute and critical illness, injury and chronic disease conditions. AGACNPs evaluate patients; order and interpret diagnostic tests; diagnose injuries, illnesses and diseases; perform invasive procedures; and develop care plans in collaboration with attending physicians. AGACNPs are employed in a variety of in-patient and hospital settings, including the ER and ICU.

Leadership Track

This track is for nurses who do not wish to pursue a certificate as an advanced practice registered nurse. The leadership track allows students to take courses from the university’s  MBA, MHA and Master of Arts in Teaching programs to prepare them for a career in leadership and management.

APRN Career Opportunities

Once you’ve passed your APRN certification exam, you can work as a registered nurse practitioner in a wide range of healthcare settings, from hospitals and specialty clinics to outpatient and community centers.

Additionally, your prior nursing experience coupled with a DNP degree can open you up to other career opportunities, including:

• Chief nursing officer
• Director of nursing
• Nursing administrator
• Nursing educator
• Program director
• Healthcare consultant

DNP Careers: Where You’ll Find Our Graduates

Saint Francis graduates work as advanced practice registered nurses and in other clinical and administrative nursing positions at a variety of locations, including:

• Adams Health Network
• Beaufort Memorial Hospital
• Bowen Center
• Clean Recovery Centers
• Illinois Department of Corrections
• Indiana University Health
• Manchester University
• Methodist Hospitals
• Northeast Internal Medicine Association
• Parkview Health
• St. Vincent Health
• University of Saint Francis
• U.S. Navy Reserve

Accreditor-Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

The Doctor of Nursing Practice program and/or post-graduate APRN certificate programs at University of Saint Francis is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

• Original Date of Accreditation: 2019
• Date of Most Recent Review: 2019
• Results of Most Recent Accreditation Review: Initial accreditation was granted for 5 years in 2019.
• Date of Next Review: 2024