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Doctor of Nursing Practice

(D.N.P)

Online & On-Campus

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A student stands in the UW nursing building with their stethoscope.

Earn Your DNP at UW

UW offers a flexible, online-friendly Doctor of Nursing Practice program for masters-prepared nurses. Access the majority of your coursework from anywhere in the state or region with occasional visits to campus for clinical and other relevant coursework. 

The Doctor of Nursing program focuses on two clinical concentrations, Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) with a special emphasis on rural, patient-centered care.

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Program Details

Tuition and Fees

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Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing

Curriculum & Courses

Department

College of Health Sciences

About the Online Doctor of Nursing Practice Program

Our DNP program is small and is designed for students who plan to live and practice in rural communities after they graduate. Because it is small, faculty and students get to know one another really well, which is both a strength and a rarity with the plethora of large, online nurse practitioner programs. The predominantly online nature of our curriculum is designed with the modern learner in mind, offering the flexibility essential for working students to balance academic pursuits with professional responsibilities.

Additionally, UW’s nurse practitioner program maintains relationships with its alumni, and many alumni go on to serve as clinical preceptors for our nursing school's students.

A nursing student examines a test student subject's knee.
Two students practice using their stethescopes with another student patient.

UW offers two clinical concentrations through its DNP program:

Concentrations:

Admission Requirements

The nursing faculty at UW seek individuals who are dedicated to being leaders in rural primary and mental health care. We admit individuals with varying backgrounds and experiences who will respect and learn from each other while adhering to the highest professional standards.

Academic requirements for the DNP program include:

  • A minimum of 3.0 GPA
  • An earned Bachelor of Science in Nursing from a nationally accredited program or anticipated graduation from a nationally accredited BSN program.
  • Active, unencumbered Wyoming RN license. License must be active throughout the duration of the DNP program. 
Two students talk together on a break from class outside.

What Can You Do With a Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree?

A Doctor of Nursing degree is the highest academic achievement possible in nursing. Nurses with a DNP degree are prepared to lead departments and implement effective change in their fields. Aside from leadership positions, a DNP can prepare you for more challenging roles such as a nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist or nurse midwife. The UW school of nursing prepares you for almost any advancement you’re seeking in your nursing career and boasts a 100% national NP certification pass rate and nearly 100% employment rate.*

Doctor of Nursing Practice Careers

  • Nurse Practitioner
  • Nurse Leader
  • Nurse Midwife
  • Nurse Anesthetist
  • Nurse Specialist
  • Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

*The University of Wyoming's Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) includes a licensure component for Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) licensing. Each U.S. state has its own nursing licensing board, and our program aligns with their requirements. Students must pass one of two exams for eligibility.

 

A student poses outside in their nursing jacket on campus.

Take a look at some of the places where University of Wyoming DNPs have gone:

  • Atrium Health
  • Volunteers of America Northern Rockies
  • Americas Express Urgent Care
  • Central Wyoming Skin Clinic/Medical Skin Care
  • Albany County Health Clinic
  • Cheyenne Family Medicine
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Doctor of Nursing Practice Program Highlights

A number of unique resources are available to UW DNP students. The faculty has cultivated a rigorous academic environment with a number of valuable experiences that enrich your academic journey. 

 

Scholarship Opportunities

Our students are eligible for generous scholarships through the National Health Service CorpsRSA – Health Resources and Services Administration educational scholarship. Students can apply for over 30 scholarships that help fund their academic journey. 

Accreditation

Our nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791 or 202-887-8476. The School of Nursing at the University of Wyoming has a lengthy history of accreditation.

Extensive Clinical Experiences

Throughout the DNP program, students receive hands-on exercises and training using standardized patients to practice skills. Not only do students complete a total of 960 hours of on-site clinical experiences during the last three semesters, but they also utilize the Clinical Simulation Center at FWWSON and participate in Project Prepare, a nationally recognized sexual health program, with WWAMI students.

Unique Courses

During the DNP program, students learn theories and techniques of health behavior change through two unique health behavior change courses (NURS5820 - Health Behavior Change I: Primary Prevention and Wellness and NURS5830 - Health Behavior Change II: Behavioral Skills for Secondary and Tertiary Prevention).

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the coursework provides for intensive study in health promotion and preventative health, aligning with my goals. I received my first degree at UW and Nursing prepared me as well as the students from big-name schools. UW is a gem not only in Wyoming but on a much broader scale.

- Sherra St Clair
Class of 2018

Related Programs

Interested in a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree? These other programs may also be of interest:

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College of Health Sciences

Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing

Department 3065, 1000 E. University Avenue

Laramie, WY 82071

Phone: (307) 766-4312

Email: uwnursing@uwyo.edu