Doctor Of Nursing Practice /Post-Master Of Science In Nursing To DNP /Post-Bachelor Of Science In Nursing To DNP
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Program Description
Introduction
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is intended for nurses seeking the highest credential or terminal degree in nursing practice. The DNP will prepare nurses with the ability to balance proficiencies, practice, theory, and scientific inquiry in the advanced nursing role. Stockton’s DNP program is designed for working nurses and can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis.
The DNP program provides education in organizational and systems leadership knowledge and skills necessary to critically develop and evaluate new models of care delivery and to create and sustain change in all levels of healthcare. Principles of advanced nursing and nursing scholarship are linked to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s DNP Essentials (2006) and Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Practice (2021) to improve health outcomes for clients, families, and diverse communities. The practitioner-scholar role of the DNP prepared nurse develops new knowledge in the practice environment that makes an impact on health outcomes and quality of care.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Stockton University received accreditation in 2019 and was reaccredited in 2025. The curriculum was revised in spring of 2022 to increase accessibility and affordability. Curriculum revisions included offering courses in an online synchronous format and serving the advanced level nurse with a Master of Science (MSN) degree who is not an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN). The revised curricula continue to serve the Post-Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Post-BSN) DNP student pursuing the APRN degree as well as the post-MSN APRN.
Stockton’s Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program offers the Post-Master of Science in Nursing (Post-MSN) to DNP and the Post-BSN to DNP. The Post-MSN DNP track enrolls non APRNs as well as APRNs (nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists, clinical nurse specialists) seeking to advance their education to the clinical doctorate level.
A second option for the Post-MSN DNP students is intended for prospective non-APRN students who wish to obtain certification as an APRN. Students seeking to obtain certification as either a Family Nurse Practitioner or Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner will enter Stockton University’s post-master’s certificate program. Students may begin the Post-MSN DNP courses with completion of the post-master’s certificate.
The Post-BSN DNP degree offers two concentrations: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) and Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). Students who complete all 5000 level courses, NURS 6106, and NURS 6205 according to the enrolled concentration may apply for the MSN AGPCNP or the MSN FNP degree and complete the DNP as a Post MSN student or they may complete the Post-BSN DNP AGPCNP or the Post BSN DNP FNP degree.
The Mission (DNP Program)
The mission of the Graduate Nursing Program is to develop advanced-level nurses to practice in a culturally diverse and rapidly evolving world. The University and the graduate nursing programs remain responsive to community needs. Independent, experiential learning fosters students to choose their education and future professional endeavors. The program embraces the University’s guiding principles, vision, values, and the strategic plan.
Goals of the Program
Develop graduates that demonstrate professional, ethical, skilled, and evidence-based practice competencies in their roles.
Prepare graduates that influence health and health outcomes of individuals, families, and communities through the application of evidence, clinical analysis, and discovery.
Prepare graduates to represent the nursing profession in health organizations and health policy at the local, state, national, and international levels.
Student Learning Outcomes
Student learning outcomes are in accordance with those of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Practice (2021). The Doctor of Nursing Practice program is designed to produce an advanced level nurse with the ability to do the following:
Analyze, translate, and integrate theories and models from Nursing and other disciplines for clinical decision making in professional nursing practice.
Employ and integrate context driven, advanced reasoning to the diagnostic and decision-making process in the delivery of individualized and developmentally appropriate care that is holistic, just, respectful, evidence based, equitable, and compassionate for diverse populations.
Advocate and provide collaborative care from public health prevention to disease management by challenging biases and barriers and allocating resources that impact local, regional, national, and global populations to improve equitable health outcomes.
Lead the integration and dissemination of the best evidence to ethically inform practice, influence policy, and transform healthcare.
Design individual and systems-based interventions that embody ethical decision making to mitigate risk and foster a culture of safety, transparency, civility, and respect in improving health outcomes.
Role model the integration of diversity, equity, and inclusion into collaborative practice with the healthcare team, patients, families, and other community stakeholders to optimize healthcare delivery.
Lead systems change through interaction with consumers and providers to address quality, safety, racism, and advocate for coordinated fiscally responsible, equitable resources for diverse populations.
Evaluate and implement information technologies for use in data driven and evidence-based healthcare decision making in accordance with ethical, quality, safety, regulatory, and professional standards.
Promote, model, practice, articulate, and advocate for the values of the profession in manners that are ethically, culturally, and linguistically appropriate through accountability and collaboration to address inequities, social injustice, and human rights issues.
Embody the values of the profession by promoting, mentoring, and participating in activities that foster accountability, self-care, resilience, lifelong learning, nursing expertise, advocacy, and leadership acumen.
Non Matriculated Graduate Nursing Courses
At Stockton, there are three courses available for non-matriculated Post-BSN-DNP students.
NURS 6106 Healthcare Economics, Policy, and Management
NURS 5330 Advanced Pathophysiology
NURS 5326 Biostatistics & Epidemiology in Population Health
And two 6000 level nursing courses are available for non-matriculated Post-MSN DNP students: NURS 6105 Theory and Scholarship for Practice and NURS 6106 Healthcare Economics, Policy, and Management.
Admission to the DNP Program
Admission to the Post-BSN DNP track is open to licensed RNs with a baccalaureate degree in nursing. Admission to the Post-MSN DNP track is open to registered nurses with an MSN degree. Prospective applicants must meet the following criteria; however, meeting the minimum criteria does not guarantee admission:
Possess a baccalaureate degree in nursing or Master of Science degree in nursing from an NLN or CCNE-accredited school.
Meet one of the two requirements:
Cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher (on a scale of 4.0) with a minimum grade of "B" in all nursing courses
Cumulative GPA of 3.30 in at least two graduate nursing courses IF BSN GPA is less than or equal to 3.19.
Completion of BSN prerequisite courses for Post-BSN DNP prospective students:
Health Assessment
Nursing or another health discipline research course
Statistics
Students must be able to perform the skills and behaviors outlined in the Technical Standards and Essential Functions for Nursing
In addition, the applicant must provide:
Proof of licensure to practice as a registered professional nurse in New Jersey.
Two letters of recommendation; one academic and one professional colleague.
Completion of an admission essay
Current American Heart Association Healthcare Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
Valid certification in their NP specialty (ANCC or AANPCP) for practicing NP applicants only.
Transfer Credits
Students may transfer a maximum of nine (9) credits from another graduate nursing program if they have achieved at least a B in the course. Students are required to submit a course syllabus for review and a Graduate Transfer Equivalency form before final approval. Advanced Health Assessment, clinical courses or courses with a clinical component are exempt from transfer credits.
Clinical Prerequisites
Students must successfully complete health screenings, required immunizations, a criminal background check and drug screen prior to the first clinical experience (Practicum I or NURS 6105). Students need to provide validation of American Heart Association Healthcare Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) certification, personal health insurance, current Registered Nurse (RN) licensure, and professional liability insurance as a student nurse practitioner. In addition, students must meet all technical standards and can perform essential functions as specified in the Student Handbook. Health screenings, BLS certification, RN licensure, membership in a professional nursing organization, personal health insurance and professional liability insurance must be maintained by the student during clinical semesters. Failure to do so will result in removal from clinical.
Leave of Absence
Students who wish to interrupt their Graduate Nursing education for one or more semesters must submit a written request for a leave of absence (LOA) to the DNP Chair. The request must be received prior to the next semester. The written request must include the reason for the LOA and the anticipated date of return. Following the LOA and return to the graduate nursing program, a student must provide a description of how the reason for the LOA has been resolved and submit to the DNP Chair.
The DNP program awards a maximum of a 1 year (3 consecutive semesters) or a total of 2 non-consecutive semesters of LOA. The program reserves the right to limit, modify and/or deny a LOA request. Should the LOA be approved by the DNP Chair, the student must follow University wide LOA procedures as described in the Bulletin.
While on LOA, the student is expected to maintain contact with their preceptor to revise their academic plan and prepare for future course work. An additional request for a LOA is required if the student will extend their LOA if it does not exceed 2 consecutive semesters. Failure to maintain a current request for LOA will result in withdrawal from the University. The student will need to reapply and meet admission requirements to complete the DNP program.
Graduation Requirements
Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA and successfully complete all nursing and clinical coursework/requirements as stipulated in the Doctor of Nursing Practice Student Handbook. NOTE: Students must achieve the letter grade of a B- or above and may not attain more than two B- grades for all Stockton Graduate Nursing coursework.
Accreditation
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, post-graduate APRN certificate program, and the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Stockton University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
The Post-MSN DNP and Post-BSN DNP curricula are outlined below and more information about the curricula can be accessed on the Doctor of Nursing Practice website
