Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (B.S.N. to D.N.P.)

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The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

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Sample of BSN-DNP Psychiatric Mental Health Full Time Progression Plan 

Sample of BSN-DNP Psychiatric Mental Health Part Time Progression Plan 

Additional Graduation Requirements 

• Successful completion of a minimum of 83 credit hours of doctoral level course work.
• Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater in the DNP program.
• Completion of all courses with a grade of "B" or higher, or "S" (Satisfactory) where applicable.
• Completion of Nurse Practitioner Certification exam review course.
• Completion of clinical practice residency requirements.
• Completion of capstone requirements. 

Progression Requirements 

• Students must follow a Program of Study approved by the Program Director or designee.
• Students must receive a grade of "B" ("S" if applicable) or better on all courses within the program curriculum.

Official Course Descriptions

Search for official course descriptions by using the Course Description Search utility.

Go to the Course Descriptions Search Web page, then follow these steps:

1. Select an Academic Year from the TERM dropdown (required)
2. Select a course prefix from one of the SUBJECT dropdowns (required)
3. Enter search words in the TEXT field (optional, but will narrow the search results)
4. Press Search

Getting started with the Course Schedule Search

Search for program courses by using the Course Schedule Search utility.

Go to the Course Schedule Search Web page, then follow these steps:

1. Select an Academic Year from the TERM dropdown (required)
2. Select one or more of the search options to narrow your results (for example, CAMPUS, COLLEGE, DEPARTMENT, LEVEL, PREFIX*, COURSE ATTRIBUTE**). For virtual or web courses, select VIRTUAL in the CAMPUS field.
3. Press Search.

*A course prefix is a three-letter designator for a major division of an academic discipline (for example, ACG for Accounting , BSC for Biological Science, ENC for English Composition). See the Degree Requirements page for a list of courses (with prefix and number) that can be used to fulfill degree requirements.

**A course attribute identifies specific characteristics of courses that can be used in a Degree Evaluation to satisfy a degree requirement. (Course attribute examples are Humanities courses - GEHM and Social Science courses - GESO.)

Graduates will: 

1. Collaborate and communicate with other healthcare professionals to provide high quality, ethical patient-centered care that meets current standards of best practice.
2. Lead inter-professional teams to design, implement, and evaluate complex clinical practice strategies based on theoretical, scientific, and ethical knowledge.
3. Integrate advanced critical reasoning and judgment in the management of complex clinical situations and systems in a selected area of advanced practice nursing and organizational systems.
4. Implement health care delivery models and strategies designed for increased safety and quality improvement in health promotion, clinical prevention and population health.
5. Employ an evidence-based framework and information technology to evaluate and develop strategies and interventions to improve health status, access patterns, and identify gaps in care of diverse patients, populations, and organizations.
6. Advocate for change in health care practice and health care environments through policy development, implementation, and evaluation.

Tuition and Fees

Information on Tuition, Fees and estimated total Cost of Attendance is available on the Office of the Bursar web site.

Financial Aid Opportunities

Visit FGCU's Financial Aid Web site for information about grants, additional scholarships, loans, and student employment.

Updated 11-8-23 

Q: Is the GRE required? 

The GRE is no longer required for admission. 

Q: Do we need to provide all 3 professional references?  

Yes, one from Faculty, one from current or past Supervisor, and one from a RN APRN, or Physician familiar with the applicant’s professional expertise. 

Q: How long is the program?   

The BSN to DNP Full Time is 3 years or Part Time is 4 years 

The MSN to DNP Full Time is 2 years or Part Time is 3 Years.  

Q: How many days per semester will I have to be on campus or at clinical sites? 

The core courses are offered in a hybrid format (partially online and face-to-face) but students are expected to be on campus 2 days a week if full-time (recommended not to work or work part-time) and 1 day a week for part-time (may be able to work full-time). Clinical hours may include some telehealth opportunities; however, most encounters will be in-person.  

Q: Can students get preceptor and clinical site placing assistance? 

A clinical coordinator will assist with clinical placements.  FGCU has clinical partnerships to help facilitate finding preceptors.  Faculty will evaluate all potential clinical placements to verify that both the preceptor and clinical site are appropriate for the program. 

Q: Can a current workplace be used as a clinical site? 

Due to potential conflict of interest, students are not advised to complete their clinical hours where they are employed. Final approval of clinical site placement is at the discretion of the faculty. 

Q: Where are the clinical sites located?  

Generally, in the SWFL 5 County areas (Charlotte, Collier, Hendry, Glades, and Lee Counties)  

Q: Do you have advising and mentorship?

Each student is assigned a faculty advisor.  Students are strongly encouraged to collaborate with faculty and peer groups throughout the program.  Meet at least once per semester.   

Q: Does FGCU offer a board review course? 

No, but there are several reputable APRN review courses e.g. Fitzgerald, Barkley, APEA  

Q: Is it possible to work full-time while enrolled in the DNP program? 

It is highly recommended that students do not work full-time during the program.  Students need to evaluate their school needs to determine if they can find a balance.     

Q: Requirements for the DNP Project? 

Completion of coursework to the capstone project. The project is an opportunity for students to answer an evidenced based question through implementation dissemination of work through a manuscript and presentation.  More details can be found in the DNP-NP Project handbook.