海角社区

DNP: Doctor of Nursing Practice (Online)

  • DNP
  • Doctoral
  • Online
  • Nursing & Health Professions

Advance your nursing career and expand your impact with a DNP from 海角社区.

Earn your Doctor of Nursing Practice fully online in less than two years. Develop the leadership expertise to improve patient outcomes, drive organizational change, and create measurable impact across healthcare systems with Rivier鈥檚 ACEN-accredited DNP program.

Program Details

  • Next Start Date: January 19, 2027
  • Time to Completion: As few as five semesters (or part-time at your own pace)
  • Format: Online
  • Credit Hours: 33 (three prerequisite courses)
  • Course Length: 14 weeks
  • Cost Per Credit (2026-27 Academic Year): $946

Meeting Your Needs as a Working Professional

Advance your career without putting your life on hold. Rivier’s affordable, flexible DNP program is designed for working nurses.

Start When You’re Ready

With three start dates each year (fall, spring, and summer), you can begin when the time is right for you.

Learn 100% Online

Complete your coursework on your own schedule with flexible, asynchronous online learning.

Personalized Faculty Mentorship

Learn from experienced nurse leaders who provide personalized mentorship.

Real-World Impact

Complete an individualized scholarly project that improves healthcare outcomes within your organization or community.

Request For Information

If you are鈥� 颁丑辞辞蝉别鈥�
A certified APRN MSN to DNP for APRNs
An MSN-prepared nurse seeking leadership roles MSN to DNP for Nurse Leaders
A BSN-prepared nurse with a master鈥檚 degree outside of nursing BSN to DNP for Nurse Leaders

Meet Rivier DNP Graduates

Dr. Susan Santana, Doctor of Nursing Practice 鈥�22
Chief Nursing Officer, Southern New Hampshire Health

鈥淩ivier’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program strengthened my ability to lead with clarity, confidence, and a deep commitment to patient-centered care. The rigorous curriculum and exceptional faculty prepared me to navigate complex healthcare challenges and elevate nursing practice across every team I serve.鈥�

Dr. Jennifer Torosian, Doctor of Nursing Practice 鈥�25
Senior Nurse Leader Inpatient, Saint Joseph Hospital

鈥淭hrough the DNP program, I was challenged to critically evaluate evidence within a compassionate and caring environment. My education strengthened my confidence as a healthcare leader, prepared me to think at both the individual and systems levels, and reinforced my responsibility to make a difference while providing high-quality, holistic care.鈥�

Rivier鈥檚 DNP Program is Designed For You

You鈥檝e developed advanced clinical expertise. Now you鈥檙e ready to lead larger initiatives, influence healthcare systems, improve outcomes, and expand your professional opportunities. Rivier鈥檚 DNP is ideal for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), Nurse Practitioners (NPs), Nursing Educators, Master’s-prepared RNs pursuing leadership or systems-level roles, and nurses in a variety of healthcare roles.

Affordable Tuition and Employer Discounts

Rivier’s competitively priced DNP program helps you advance your career while managing educational costs. Employees of participating healthcare partner organizations may also qualify for tuition discounts through Rivier’s Strategic Partners Program.

Loan Forgiveness Program

Through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP), eligible students preparing for nurse educator roles may qualify for loan forgiveness of up to 85% in exchange for serving as full-time nursing faculty or precepting graduate nursing students after graduation.

Advance Your Career and Earning Potential

DNP-prepared nurses have extensive opportunities for advancement into high-level clinical and administrative roles, earning top salaries at premier healthcare facilities throughout the region in roles including:

  • Chief Nursing Officer
  • Director of Nursing
  • Nurse Executive
  • Clinical Director
  • Population Health Leader
  • Quality and Patient Safety Leader
  • Healthcare Administrator
  • Academic Nurse Educator
  • Healthcare Policy Analyst

Create meaningful change through your scholarly project

Your DNP Scholarly Project transforms knowledge into action. You’ll design, implement, and evaluate an evidence-based initiative that addresses a real healthcare challenge while improving outcomes, quality, and organizational effectiveness. With faculty support, you’ll gain practical experience leading change and creating measurable impact.

Real Projects. Measurable Impact. View Recent Scholarly Project Titles 鈻�
  • The Impact of Patient Participation in Health Management
  • No Wrong Door: Utilizing Hepatitis C Treatment as a Pathway to Addiction Medicine and Harm Reduction
  • The Impact of Home and Health Nurse Caring Behavior on Medication Adherence
  • Sepsis Education to Improve Early Recognition and Response Among Emergency Room Nurses
  • IMPACT: Improving Medical Providers After-hours Charting Time
  • Nurses’ Insight: Challenges of Medication Safety Practices at the Point of Care
  • Does implementation of the mobility technician position impact patient ambulation and quality metrics in the acute care medical surgical population?
  • Does the use of daily shift huddles reduce the number of falls with injury on an inpatient stroke rehabilitation unit?
  • Reestablishing Clinical Actionability of Surveillance Monitoring Alarms

Doctor of Nursing Practice Curriculum

MSN to DNP for APRNs

For Advanced Practice Registered Nurses who have earned a master’s degree in nursing and have passed a certification exam. Complete in as few as five semesters or part-time at your own pace.

View Curriculum 鈻�
Course Course Title Credits
BUSS 559 Healthcare Finance 3
BUSS 632 Healthcare Information Systems 3
NURS 800 Scientific Foundations for Practice 3
NURS 802 Interpretation of Quantitative Research for Healthcare 3
NURS 805 Health Research Methods 3
NURS 810 Epidemiology in Advanced Practice Nursing 3
NURS 815 Evidence-Based Leadership Practices 3
NURS 895 Doctoral Practicum/Seminar (Scholarly Project) 12
Total Credits 33

Prerequisites include a graduate-level statistics course (500 level or above, taken within the last three years), NURS 601 Quality Healthcare Improvement, and NURS 610 Advanced Health Policy.

Students must complete 1,000 documented advanced practice clinical hours. They typically enter the program with 500 supervised practicum hours earned in their master’s degree program and complete an additional 500 hours working toward completion of their DNP Scholarly Project.

MSN to DNP for Nurse Leaders

For nurses who have earned an MS in Nursing. Complete in as few as five semesters or part-time at your own pace.

View Curriculum 鈻�
Course Course Title Credits
BUSS 559 Healthcare Finance 3
BUSS 632 Healthcare Information Systems 3
BUSS 659 Crisis Management and Conflict Resolution 3
NURS 802 Interpretation of Quantitative Research for Healthcare 3
NURS 805 Health Research Methods 3
NURS 810 Epidemiology in Advanced Practice Nursing 3
NURS 815 Evidence-Based Leadership Practices 3
NURS 895 Doctoral Practicum/Seminar (Scholarly Project) 12
Total Credits 33*

Prerequisites include a graduate-level statistics course (500 level or above, taken within the last three years), NURS 601 Quality Healthcare Improvement, and NURS 610 Advanced Health Policy.

Students must complete 1,000 documented advanced practice clinical hours. They may enter the program with 500 supervised practicum hours earned in their master’s degree program and complete an additional 500 hours working toward completion of their DNP Scholarly Project.

*Students who enter with fewer than 500 supervised practicum hours from their master’s degree program will take NURS 715 Leadership Capstone Practicum, up to an additional eight credits, to fulfill the 1,000-hour practicum requirement.

BSN to DNP for Nurse Leaders

For BSN-prepared nurses with a master’s degree outside of nursing. Complete in four years or part-time at your own pace.

View Curriculum 鈻�
Course Course Title Credits
BUSS 559 Healthcare Finance 3
BUSS 569 Healthcare Administration 3
BUSS 632 Healthcare Information Systems 3
BUSS 654 Compliance and Risk Management in Healthcare Settings 3
BUSS 659 Crisis Management and Conflict Resolution 3
NURS 570 Advanced Nursing Leadership Theory 3
NURS 571P Advanced Nursing Leadership Practicum 2
NURS 601 Quality Healthcare Improvement 3
NURS 602 Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing & Healthcare 3
NURS 610 Advanced Health Policy 3
NURS 620 Biostatistics for the Health Sciences 3
NURS 802 Interpretation of Quantitative Research for Healthcare 3
NURS 805 Health Research Methods 3
NURS 810 Epidemiology in Advanced Practice Nursing 3
NURS 815 Evidence-Based Leadership Practices 3
NURS 895 Doctoral Practicum/Seminar (Scholarly Project) 12
Total Credits 56*

*Students must complete 1,000 documented advanced practice clinical hours. Depending on the number of hours from their previous master’s degree, they will take NURS 715 Leadership Capstone Practicum, up to an additional eight credits as needed, to fulfill the 1,000-hour practicum requirement.

Earn Your DNP with Confidence

Rivier’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), reflecting the highest standards in nursing education and preparing graduates to lead with confidence.

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners (3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326, (404) 975-5000) for the doctoral nursing program is Continuing Accreditation. 聽disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program.

海角社区 is unable to accept students from some states due to the post-secondary higher-education requirements. There are also some restrictions for programs that lead to professional licensure due to the various requirements of individual state boards of nursing. For more information, visit our Licensing information page.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What makes 海角社区's Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program different from others?

    海角社区's Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is designed for working nurses who want to expand their leadership impact without stepping away from their careers. The program is offered 100% online, can be completed in as few as five semesters, features three start dates each year, and provides personalized faculty mentorship throughout the doctoral experience. Students complete a scholarly project that addresses a real healthcare challenge and creates measurable impact within their organization or community.

  • How long does it take to earn a DNP from 海角社区?

    Students in 海角社区's MSN-to-DNP pathways can complete their Doctor of Nursing Practice in as few as five semesters (less than two years) when attending full time. Part-time study options are also available, allowing nurses to progress at a pace that fits their professional and personal responsibilities.

  • Is 海角社区's DNP program accredited?

    Yes. 海角社区's Doctor of Nursing Practice program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Continuing accreditation reflects the program's commitment to academic quality and prepares graduates for advanced leadership, clinical, educational, and systems-level nursing roles.

  • Can I earn my DNP while working full time?

    Yes. 海角社区's 100% online DNP program is specifically designed for working nurses. Courses are delivered online, allowing students to continue working while completing coursework, clinical requirements, and their scholarly project. Many students balance the program with leadership responsibilities, advanced practice roles, and family commitments.

  • What can I do with a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from 海角社区?

    A Doctor of Nursing Practice from 海角社区 prepares nurses for advanced leadership and clinical roles across healthcare systems. Graduates may pursue positions such as Chief Nursing Officer, Director of Nursing, Nurse Executive, Clinical Director, Healthcare Administrator, Population Health Leader, Quality and Patient Safety Leader, Academic Nurse Educator, and Healthcare Policy Analyst. The degree develops expertise in evidence-based practice, organizational leadership, quality improvement, and healthcare innovation.

  • What is the DNP Scholarly Project at 海角社区?

    The DNP Scholarly Project is a practice-focused doctoral project that allows students to address a real-world healthcare challenge. With guidance from 海角社区 faculty, students design, implement, and evaluate an evidence-based initiative that improves patient outcomes, quality, safety, operational efficiency, or organizational effectiveness. The project provides hands-on experience leading change and demonstrating measurable results in healthcare settings.

  • Is Rivier鈥檚 DNP affordable?

    海角社区 offers a very competitively priced DNP program with tuition charged on a per-credit basis. Employees of participating healthcare organizations may qualify for additional tuition savings through 海角社区's Strategic Partners Program, making the DNP more affordable for working nurses. Through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP), eligible students preparing for nurse educator roles may qualify for loan forgiveness of up to 85% in exchange for serving as full-time nursing faculty or precepting graduate nursing students after graduation.

  • How many practicum hours are required for a DNP?

    National DNP standards require graduates to complete a minimum of 1,000 post-baccalaureate practice hours. Students entering 海角社区's DNP program may receive credit for supervised clinical or practicum hours completed during previous graduate nursing education. The number of additional hours required depends on a student's academic background and pathway. Rivier faculty work individually with students to ensure all practicum requirements are met before graduation.

  • Can I earn a DNP online?

    Yes. 海角社区's Doctor of Nursing Practice program is offered 100% online, allowing working nurses to earn their degree while continuing their careers. Online coursework, flexible scheduling, and individualized faculty support make it possible to balance doctoral study with professional and personal responsibilities. Students can complete the MSN-to-DNP pathways in as few as five semesters while learning from experienced nurse leaders and faculty mentors.

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Take your nursing career to the next level with a Doctor of Nursing Practice.