BSN-DNP Psychiatric-Mental Health

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree is designed to prepare nurses for the highest level of clinical practice in the profession of nursing. Graduates are prepared to create and lead new models of health care delivery for communities locally, across the nation and around the world.  The DNP program is innovative, inter-/intra-professional and focuses on evidence-based health care.  The program maximizes the use of hybrid delivery methods for enhanced learning and increased course accessibility.  (To read more about the DNP, visit the American Association of Colleges of Nursing website: https://www.aacnnursing.org/)

This program will prepare students to provide advanced evidence-based patient-centered care psychiatric and mental health patients across the lifespan. The graduate will be eligible to take the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certification examination. 

The School of Nursing offers the DNP for the:

• Baccalaureate-prepared registered nurse
• Master-prepared nurse practitioner who is certified in adult/geriatric acute care, family or psychiatric-mental health
• Post-master’s registered nurse

Some states require a specific master’s degree to practice as a nurse practitioner; therefore, a concurrent Master of Science with a major in Nursing will be awarded with completion of the DNP.

The School of Nursing also offers the post graduate certificate for DNP-prepared nurses.  The plan of study is individualized based on academic completion and requirements.

School of Nursing Mission

The mission of the School of Nursing is to prepare graduates for professional positions as safe, competent, and caring nurses to meet the health care needs of diverse populations.

Acceptance of Transfer Credits

Transfer credit will be awarded per the published Graduate Programs section of the University catalog.  A maximum of nine semester hours of transfer credits from an accredited institution may be applied to the degree with approval from the graduate nursing program director.

Time Limits

Courses completed 6 or more years before the date of graduation will not be accepted as satisfying graduation requirements without the approval by the graduate nursing program director.

Specific Admission Requirements

Students are responsible for following all admission policies and procedures as outlined in the Graduate Studies section of the University catalog.

1. Complete application to the nursing program.
2. Proof of active, unrestricted Colorado or Colorado Nursing Compact State Registered Nurse license for all MS and MS-DNP emphasis options or by the end of the first semester for the BSN-DNP emphases options).
3. Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from an accredited university with a 3.0 GPA, or higher (MS, BSN-DNP and associate post-masters certificate options).
4. All prerequisites must be passed with a C or better (C- is not acceptable) including statistics, microbiology and chemistry. Students receiving a grade less than C in a nursing prerequisite course are not eligible for admission.

MS-DNP Program and associated post-masters certificate options. Master’s degree in Nursing from an accredited university with a 3.0 GPA, or higher is required.

Program Outcomes

1. Eighty percent of graduates will:
   • Express satisfaction with the program
   • Pass national certification exam the first time
   • Be employed in role-related professional practice within six months to one year
2. Seventy percent of graduates will complete their program on-time starting from enrollment day one of the first class of their nursing option. 
3. Eighty percent of employers’ will express satisfaction with graduates’ job performance.

DNP Graduate Student Learning Outcomes

At the completion of this program, graduates will be able to:

1. Integrate evidence-based practice, ethical decision making and technology into advanced nursing practice
2. Conduct scholarly inquiry to influence health outcomes of individuals, aggregates and populations
3. Organize interprofessional collaboration to provide safe, quality patient-centered care.
4. Assume a leadership role in transforming health care systems, policies and standards of care

Specific Program Requirements

Practicum Hours 

All courses and number of credits for practicum must be completed in sequence following the program curriculum plan.

NSG 810L is not a required course. Students enroll if they meet and receive an incomplete grade in NSG 808L to meet university continuous enrollment requirement.

NSG 655L PMHNP Practicum MS (1-3 cr.) is a variable credit course. This program requires a total of 3 cr. and 10 cr. in other PMHNP practicum for a total of 13 cr. MS students complete NSG 655L 1- credit each semester with other PMHNP practicum courses over the final 3 semesters of the program.

Students admitted prior to Fall 2024: program requires 585 hours in PMHNP practicum.

Students admitted starting Fall 2024 need to complete 780 hours in PHMNP practicum.

Specific Graduation Requirements

The graduate degree will be granted to candidates who meet all of the University catalog requirements plus the following:

1. Graduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.
2. All courses must be passed with a B or better.
3. Complete the university requirements for a master's degree.
4. Complete an approved DNP Project.

Planning Sheet

Disclaimer: The Planning Sheet is designed as a guide for student's planning their course selections. The information on this page provides only a suggested schedule. Actual course selections should be made with the advice and consent of an academic advisor. While accurately portraying the information contained in the college catalog, this form is not considered a legal substitute for that document. Students should become familiar with the catalog in effect at the time in which they entered the institution.