Dnp Students: Seattle University's Comprehensive Preparation

Seattle University offers a variety of programs to prepare DNP students for their future careers. The Advanced Practice Nursing Immersion (APNI) program, for instance, is a fast-paced, rigorous, and intense four-year program for students with non-nursing degrees who want to pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. The first five quarters of the program focus on pre-licensure coursework and preparation for the NCLEX-RN exam, while the remaining three years are dedicated to full-time doctoral studies. The university also offers a three-year DNP program for students with a bachelor's degree and RN license, as well as a post-master's DNP Health Systems Leader track. The DNP curriculum provides a deep understanding of healthcare's complex systems and challenges, with an emphasis on applying evidence-based research to practice. The university's clinical performance lab and partnerships with local medical centers offer hands-on learning experiences in realistic patient scenarios.

The Advanced Practice Nursing Immersion (APNI) program

During the first five quarters of the program, students focus on pre-licensure coursework and preparing for the National Council Licensure Examination Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN) exam. This includes 600 clinical hours and 67 credits. The curriculum covers a range of topics, such as pathophysiology, pharmacology, nursing care of children, and mental health. The program is intense and rigorous, requiring 45-60 hours of study per week outside of class, lab, and clinical work.

After successful completion of the pre-licensure requirements and passing the RN exams, students can choose from five advanced practice areas of study: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP), Family Nurse-Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (FNP or AGNP), Certified Nurse Midwifery (CNM), Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), or Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP).

The APNI program is designed for students who are seeking a second career in nursing and welcomes a diverse range of applicants. While clinical experience is not required for admission, it is recommended that applicants research their desired nursing role and gain some healthcare experience to ensure the program is right for them. Successful students in the APNI program typically enjoy fast-paced learning, demonstrate flexibility, have strong academic credentials, and are able to dedicate their time fully to the program.

Hands-on and realistic scenarios

The Advanced Practice Nursing Immersion (APNI) program at Seattle University is an intense, practice-based curriculum that prepares students for a career in healthcare leadership. The program offers a direct-entry Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in only four years, with the first five quarters focusing on pre-licensure coursework and preparation for the NCLEX-RN exam.

The APNI program includes hands-on and realistic scenarios in its Clinical Performance Lab, a state-of-the-art 20,000-square-foot facility located near the main campus. Here, students can practice their classroom knowledge in a safe clinical environment with realistic patient scenarios.

With 90 hours of clinical practice per quarter, students will gain the confidence and muscle memory needed to save lives and make valuable contributions in various settings. The hands-on and realistic scenarios in the Clinical Performance Lab prepare students for working in acute care environments, including inpatient, emergency, and critical care units.

The first five quarters of the APNI program are immersive and fast-paced, requiring 45-60 hours of study beyond class and lab time each week. Successful students in this program typically enjoy fast-paced learning, demonstrate flexibility, and have strong academic talent and organizational skills. They are also strong communicators who can collaborate well with diverse individuals.

Overall, the APNI program at Seattle University offers a comprehensive and practical approach to preparing DNP students for their future careers in nursing and healthcare leadership.

Clinical experience

During the first five quarters of the program, students complete 600 clinical hours as part of the APNI sequence. These clinical hours are designed to meet the requirements of the Washington State Administrative Code and to prepare students for the registered nurse licensing exam (NCLEX-RN). The clinical sites for this portion of the program are typically local inpatient and outpatient agencies within Seattle city limits and sites that are within a 30-40 mile distance from Seattle, such as Renton, Everett, and Tacoma. Students typically work in groups of 5-12 during these clinical rotations.

For students in the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP) specialization, the program offers 90 hours of clinical practice per quarter, providing hands-on and realistic scenarios to prepare them for acute care environments. The Clinical Performance Lab, a 20,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility located near the main campus, plays a crucial role in providing a safe environment for students to apply their knowledge in clinical settings.

Overall, the DNP program at Seattle University ensures that students gain extensive clinical experience through a combination of local and distant clinical placements, as well as hands-on practice in the Clinical Performance Lab, to prepare them for their future careers in advanced nursing practice.

Application process

The application deadline for Seattle University's DNP programs has been extended to Sunday, January 5, 2025. The application process for the DNP program at Seattle University is as follows:

Application Requirements:

• Complete a graduate application form.
• Provide transcripts showing a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in coursework from all post-secondary educational institutions attended.
• Submit a professional resume specifying education and work experience. Two years of work experience is preferred, with two years of acute care experience preferred for Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner specialization.
• Submit two letters of recommendation, with at least one from an academic source, that speak to the applicant's potential for success in a doctoral-level advanced nursing practice program.
• Include a letter of intent describing the applicant's motivation for applying to this program, their reason for choosing nursing, the specific Advanced Practice role they are applying for, why they chose a DNP program, and their reason for applying to Seattle University.

Admissions Timeline:

• Priority Application Deadline: January 15, with applications accepted on a space-available basis until filled.
• File Reviews: January - February
• Interviews: February
• Admission Decision Release: March
• Waitlist: March - June
• Program Start: June

Additional Information:

• Interviews are conducted by invitation only after the admissions committee screens applications.
• International applicants and applicants for whom English is not their native language have additional requirements, which can be found on the International Students admissions page.
• Applicants with a GPA below 3.0 may still be considered with evidence of other achievements or abilities that predict success in the program, such as a strong goals statement, high grades in nursing prerequisites, or other evidence of academic ability.
• Applicants are encouraged to learn as much as possible about their desired future nursing role to ensure the program is right for them.

For specific questions about the application process, prospective students can contact the Graduate Program Admission Specialist at seneroz@seattleu.edu.

Post-graduation career prospects

The Advanced Practice Nursing Immersion (APNI) program at Seattle University is designed to prepare students for a wide range of careers in healthcare. The program offers an alternative path for students seeking a career in nursing as their second career or degree. The curriculum is practice-based and intense, preparing students to offer care to individuals and families across a diverse range of health situations.

Upon completion of the APNI program, graduates can pursue careers as advanced practice nurses, including:

• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP)
• Family Nurse-Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (FNP or AGNP)
• Certified Nurse Midwifery (CNM)
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
• Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP)

The APNI program also prepares students for leadership roles in healthcare. Graduates can expect to find employment in hospitals, outpatient and community settings, and rural and urban communities. The program's focus on social justice and holistic care equips graduates to work with diverse populations and improve health disparities.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at Seattle University also offers a direct-entry option for students with a non-nursing degree, allowing them to become advanced practice nurses in just four years. This option provides a rigorous and intense curriculum, with a focus on clinical experience and preparation for national certification exams.

With the knowledge and skills gained from the DNP program, graduates can expect to find employment in their chosen advanced practice specialty, with high rates of employment comparable to traditional students with registered nurse experience. The first-time pass rate for certification in primary care, acute care, psychiatric mental health, and certified nurse-midwifery ranges from 95% to 100%.

Frequently asked questions